NewsNiki files for insolvency after Lufthansa pulls bidAustrian leisure carrier Niki has filed to open insolvency proceedings and grounded flights after Lufthansa was forced to drop its acquisition of the carrier from insolvent parent Air Berlin amid European competition concerns. Air Berlin had already warned that Lufthansa's was the only "viable" bid for Niki and that the carrier would have to file for bankruptcy if the European Commission failed to clear the acquisition before 21 December.
LinkAir Canada launches Boeing 737 MAX 8 on Toronto-Calgary routeAir Canada has put its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 into service, deploying the aircraft on its Toronto-Calgary route. The new plane features greater fuel efficiency, an updated, quieter cabin and an in-flight entertainment system with a 15-language user interface.
LinkAtlasglobal considers CSeries for fleet renewalTurkish carrier Atlasglobal has raised the prospect of acquiring the Bombardier CSeries as part of a fleet-renewal program. The airline is seeking a replacement for older Airbus A320s.
LinkAmerican Airlines, AirPortr partner for baggage delivery in LondonAmerican Airlines is partnering with AirPortr to allow its US-bound travelers using Heathrow Airport to securely check their luggage from any London address. The bags are sealed, screened and delivered to the airline for further screening and processing.
LinkAlaska Airlines to update smart bag policiesAlaska Airlines announced that in early 2018 it will ban smart bags with lithium batteries from its cargo holds. Passengers will be allowed to carry the bags into the cabin.
LinkSouthwest CEO talks about future plans, tax legislation's impactGary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines, discusses the airline's plans for the future, competition and how the Republican tax legislation would affect his company.
LinkAirlines ranked high for on-time performance in Oct.A report from the US Department of Transportation ranks Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines among the top 10 for on-time performance in October.
Link$45M update complete at Calif. airportCalifornia's Oakland International Airport has undergone a $45 million update and expansion. The renovation includes 13,000 square feet of new space, two new baggage carousels, and new and updated restrooms.
LinkJetGo to start Brisbane-Karratha-Singapore flightsAustralian regional carrier JetGo Australia has entered an agreement with the City of Karratha that will see it commence twice-weekly Brisbane-Karratha-Singapore services from mid-2018. JetGo says that it will add 88-seat Embraer 175s to its fleet to operate the services, which will join an existing fleet of two ERJ-135s, two ERJ-140s and one ERJ-145 operate the service,
LinkMalaysia Airlines dismisses report of plans to scrap A380 unitMalaysia Airlines has dismissed a report that it has scrapped plans to reconfigure its six Airbus A380s to an all-economy layout and hive them off as a separate unit to focus on Islamic pilgrimage flights.
LinkR-R sees no case for substantial Trent 900 investmentRolls-Royce sees no current business case for further technological investment in the Trent 900 engine which powers the Airbus A380. Senior vice-president civil aerospace Jacqueline Sutton, speaking at an event in Toulouse, said that recent efforts on the powerplant have focused on improving the engine's time-on-wing and operation in harsh environments.
LinkSIA receives first A380 with all-new cabinSingapore Airlines (SIA) has taken delivery of the first of five new-build Airbus A380s to be equipped with the carrier's recently-launched cabin. Describing the new interior as "breathtaking" during a handover ceremony in Toulouse, Airbus chief executive Tom Enders said SIA would "carry the torch forward for the new cabin generation on the A380".
LinkSpirit Airlines CEO Fornaro to step down in 2019Fort Lauderdale-based ultra LCC Spirit Airlines’ CEO Bob Fornaro will leave his post on Jan. 1, 2019, the airline said on Dec. 13. Ted Christie, the airline’s CFO, will take over the top role. Before that, Christie will become Spirit’s president this coming Jan. 1, when he will also take a seat on the board of directors. Christie joined Spirit in 2012, and since has been promoted from senior vice president to executive vice president.
LinkAirAsia Group names new Malaysian CEO, reshuffles execsThe AirAsia Group has undergone a major reshuffling of its senior executive ranks, including the appointment of a new leader for its core Malaysian operation.
LinkUK eases large electronics ban The UK will now allow large electronic items in the cabin on the majority of flights from Turkey and Tunisia, relaxing restrictions imposed on security grounds earlier this year. In March 2017, the UK banned large personal devices—including phones, laptops and tablets—in the aircraft cabin on inbound flights from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Turkey. This followed a similar sudden move by US authorities, which has also since been relaxed.
LinkNorwegian acquires 28 weekly slots at GatwickRapidly growing LCC Norwegian has acquired 28 weekly slots at London Gatwick Airport from Lithuanian leisure carrier Small Planet Airlines. Norwegian announced the slot purchase on Dec. 13. Planning is now underway to decide how the summer 2018 slots will be used.
LinkKazakhstan’s Qazaq Air orders two more Q400sKazakhstan-based regional carrier Qazaq Air has signed a firm purchase agreement for two new Bombardier Q400 turboprops, in an order valued at $66.8 million at list prices. Qazaq Air launched operations in July 2015.
LinkAir China, Air Canada expand partnershipAir Canada and Air China will expand their mutual codeshare services and lounge agreement in time for the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism.
LinkSAS swings to a full-year net profit on strategy shiftScandinavian Airlines (SAS) has posted a SEK1.1 billion ($130 million) net income for its full 2016-17 financial year, marking a dramatic improvement from the SEK1.3 billion net loss it posted in 2015-16.
LinkDassault terminates Silvercrest contract; cancels Falcon 5X programSerious delays in the development of the Silvercrest engine have forced Dassault to terminate its agreement with Safran, and cancel the Falcon 5X program. The ultra-wide business jet will be replaced in Dassault's four-strong line-up of twin- and tri-engined aircraft by a new Falcon model, which is scheduled to enter service in 2022, says the French airframer. The new aircraft will be powered by the Pratt & Whitney PW800.
LinkPentagon OKs limited F-35 testing before modifying jetsThe Pentagon’s top weapons tester intends to approve limited testing on the Lockheed Martin F-35 while the programme office waits for modifications needed to begin the fighter’s full initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E).
LinkEurofighter powers up Typhoon production for KuwaitKuwait's future fleet of Typhoons remains on track for introduction from 2019, with the first major parts now in production by the Eurofighter partner companies. "Production activities have begun, in order to comply with the contract and customer expectations," the Eurofighter consortium says. Kuwait signed for 28 of the multirole type – including six two-seat trainers – in 2016 and Italy's Leonardo is lead partner for the sale.
LinkElbit lands Israeli Hercules training dealElbit Systems is to provide the Israeli air force with flight simulation services to support operations with its Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules tactical transports until 2030. Announced by the company on 6 December, the $74 million deal covers both the new-generation C-130J and Israel's upgraded C-130H transports.
LinkFresh upgrade boosts Colombia's Kfir fleetIsrael Aerospace Industries has upgraded the Colombian air force's Kfir fighters to its latest C-60 standard, enabling the type to carry an expanded range of weapons and sensors. Benjamin Cohen, general manager of IAI's Lahav division, says the avionics suite at the heart of the upgrade is similar to the one installed in the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 52.
LinkAustralian 'Classic' Hornets to fill Canada capability gapCanberra has confirmed that it will sell 18 Boeing F/A-18 A/B Hornet fighters to Canada for an undisclosed amount. The first two "classic" Hornets will delivered to Canada in 2019, when the Royal Australian Air Force's transition to the Lockheed Martin F-35A will be well underway, says defence minister Marise Payne.
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