NewsPlanes Collide on Tarmac at JFK Amid Airport ChaosDeparture delays were slowly improving Saturday night at John F. Kennedy Airport, where workers have been struggling to get a handle on a backlog of flights after Thursday's ferocious snowstorm -- a problem made all the worse after two passenger jets collided on the runway earlier in the day. Passengers captured images of airport misery Saturday: massive crowds, widespread confusion, people sleeping on the floor and arriving flights stuck on the tarmac for hours.
LinkAirbus rolls out first A321neo ACF able to seat 240 passengersAirbus has assembled the first A321neo ACF (Airbus Cabin Flex), a version of the re-engined narrowbody that allows for higher seating capacity. The CFM International LEAP-1A-powered A321neo ACF was assembled at Airbus’ Hamburg facilities and will now undergo ground testing. The aircraft’s first flight will occur in “coming weeks,” Airbus said. The first delivery of an A321neo ACF is targeted for mid-2018.
LinkTurkish Airlines commits to A350 XWB orderTurkish Airlines has signed an MOU with Airbus to acquire 20 A350-900s, plus five options. The agreement was signed at the Élysée Palace, Paris, during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s official visit to France with French President Emmanuel Macron.
LinkEasyJet begins Berlin Tegel operations, German domestic flightsUK LCC easyJet launched its first German flights and operations from a new base at Berlin Tegel Airport on Jan. 5. EasyJet previously announced it would open 19 new routes from Tegel as it picks up routes formerly served by bankrupt airberlin.
LinkNorwegian hits highest annual passenger total for 2017Scandinavian LCC Norwegian carried a record number of passengers in 2017 as it continued to step up its long-haul program. It also announced that it was better prepared to cope with traffic peaks in 2018 and would not be leasing in extra capacity.
LinkMexico’s Volaris raises 4Q profit guidance on rising yieldsFollowing the December 2017 launch of eight international routes and subsequent indications of improving yields, Mexico City-based ultra LCC Volaris increased its profit guidance for fourth-quarter 2017 to 27%-29%, the airline said Jan. 5. In its December 2017 preliminary traffic statement—which reported a 3.1% year-over-year (YOY) increase in passenger traffic for the month of December and 11.1% YOY traffic growth for the full year—Volaris said a “quarter-over-quarter yield improving environment” led the company to increase its fourth quarter adjusted EBITDAR margin guidance.
LinkDelta puts A350 at center of long-haul customer service transformationFor all the strides the US major carriers have made over the last several years—dramatically turning around their financial performance and improving operationally—US carriers still conspicuously lag globally in premium service on long-haul international flights.
Linkhina Aircraft Leasing Group orders more A320neosHong Kong-based lessor China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC) has signed a purchase agreement for 15 A320neos, valued at $1.63 billion at list prices. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery from 2022-2023. The transaction follows an order for 50 A320neos in late December 2017. CALC’s total order book with Airbus will increase to 217 aircraft plus the 15 A320neos.
LinkTurkish Airlines targets 74 million passengers in 2018Istanbul-based Turkish Airlines is targeting 74 million passengers carried in 2018, comprising 33 million on domestic and 41 million on international routes. By the end of the year, Turkish expects to switch operations from Istanbul Atatürk International to the Istanbul New Airport (INA), which is scheduled to open Phase 1 in late October.
LinkBritish Airways expands Gatwick servicesBritish Airways (BA) will substantially increase operations at London Gatwick Airport as it fights off the growing incursions of competitors such as LCC Norwegian.
LinkMore airlines ban smart bags from checked luggageThree more carriers are banning so-called smart bags from being checked into luggage holds unless the bag’s integrated lithium battery can be removed and carried separately. Las Vegas-based LCC Allegiant Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Chicago-based United Airlines have announced the new rules will take effect Jan. 15.
LinkUS Army begins process to buy 35 more UH-72sThe US Army on 4 January took the first step in the process to award a contract to Airbus for up to 35 more UH-72 Lakota helicopters. A “sources sought” notice published by the Army’s utility helicopter project management office checks off a requirement to investigate whether there are competitive options.
Link USAF: Skies over Iraq and Syria are “treasure trove” for adversary eyesRussia and China are studying American air power over Syria and Iraq, and US Air Force generals are worried they have already learned too much. In the past, the US competed against the Soviet Union’s brute force and China’s overwhelming numbers, but the two adversaries could soon outpace the US with more sophisticated and wider reaching surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. As the US has ramped up airstrikes against ISIS over the past two years, its peer adversaries have been watching and finding ways to close their capability gaps, says two top USAF generals – the deputy chief of staff for operations and deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).
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