NewsAirbus to close Bombardier CSeries deal July 1 Airbus will take over majority control of Bombardier’s CSeries program on July 1, after the two parties receive all regulatory approvals and final negotiations over financial details of the transaction have been completed. Airbus will become the majority shareholder of the CSeries Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP), holding a stake of 50.01%. Bombardier will control 31% and Investissement Quebec (IQ) will retain 19%. CSALP was initially set up by Bombardier and IQ to allow Quebec to inject state funds into the financially struggling aircraft program.
LinkAirbus: Partnership will integrate A320neo, CSeries into aircraft family Making the Bombardier CSeries and the Airbus A320neo family “an integrated family of aircraft” is “a key strategic objective of the new partnership between the two manufacturers in the program, Airbus Group CFO Harald Wilhelm said.
LinkUnited’s Munoz firms guidance, highlights customer relations reforms United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz—speaking at an Economic Club of Washington DC event June 7—gave no indication the Chicago-based carrier would retreat from its 2018 and longer-range earnings guidance.
LinkArbitrator sets binding interim order to enable Swoop launch An arbitrator’s binding interim order has paved the way for Calgary-based WestJet’s ultra-LCC Swoop to launch later this month with pilots recruited from outside the company, but the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) will become the pilots’ representative by September. The binding interim agreement has positives for both sides. WestJet will see its pilots flying for its ULCC offshoot as well as its mainline and regional brands under presumed labor peace, while ALPA will negotiate terms for all WestJet and Swoop pilots.
LinkFlybe CEO: Clamp down on claims companies, reduce APD tax The CEO of Europe’s largest regional airline, Flybe, has called on the UK regulator to start taking a hard look at companies milking the European Union (EU) compensation regulations for delayed or canceled flights.
LinkEuropean transport ministers approve unfair competition safeguards European transport ministers have agreed on proposals to support competitiveness and sustainability in the mobility sector, including one aimed at safeguarding competition within air transport, paving the way for negotiations with the European Parliament. Major European airlines have for years been calling for changes in legislation to redress the balance, in particular with their Middle Eastern counterparts, which they say have an unfair advantage because they receive illegal subsidies from their national governments, a claim those carriers deny.
LinkKenya Airways considers Bombardier CSeries, Embraer E2 order Kenya Airways is evaluating an order of up to 20 Bombardier CSeries or Embraer E2 regional jets. A decision will be made by the end of this year, CEO Sebastian Mikosz told ATW on the sidelines of this week’s IATA AGM in Sydney. “We are talking about 20 aircraft on top of what we have,” he said.
LinkAVIC begins MA700 airframe major assembliesThe Aviation Corp. of China (AVIC) will begin making parts for the airframe major assemblies of the MA700 turboprop airliner this month, following the transmission of design data to the factories in the past few weeks. The manufacturer aims to fly the MA700 late in 2019 and gain certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) at the end of 2021, an AVIC program official said. The schedule suggests first delivery will be made in 2022.
LinkEasyJet Europe becomes Austria’s largest airlineEasyJet Europe has become Austria’s largest airline after registering more than 100 aircraft in Austria since the launch of the Vienna-based LCC in July 2017. Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines operates 83 aircraft. In preparation for Brexit in March 2019—when the UK will leave the European Union (EU)—easyJet is transferring 130 of its UK-registered Airbus A319s/A320s to its easyJet Europe unit.
LinkHamburg Airport trials ‘Gate Delivery’ serviceGermany’s Hamburg Airport is launching a test phase for a new “Gate Delivery” service where passengers can order snacks and drinks online to be delivered directly to their departure gate. The trial runs through mid-July, and is available daily between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. Hamburg is the first airport in Germany to offer such a service, in cooperation with VAAIR Airport, a company that also operates Café Scoom and Pier2Bar at the airport.
LinkAl Baker's crass comments should spur action If IATA was hoping that its new chairman, Qatar Airways' Akbar Al Baker, would reveal a formerly hidden talent for diplomacy in his new role, then it has been left sadly disappointed. Shortly after promising to steer clear of controversy, the outspoken Qatar chief - displaying all the delicacy of an elephant navigating a minefield - promptly delivered a verdict on gender politics that will have had his fellow CEOs wincing.
LinkPhilippine Airlines' first A350 fliesPhilippine Airlines' first Airbus A350-900 has conducted its maiden flight at the airframer's Toulouse headquarters. The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered aircraft (MSN221) is one of six ordered by the Asian carrier.
LinkUSAF grounds B-1B Lancer fleet due to safety issuesThe US Air Force ordered the grounding of its entire fleet of Rockwell B-1B Lancer bombers on 7 June due to safety concerns. The USAF suspended flights of the aircraft following an emergency landing of a B-1B at Midland International Air and Space Port in Texas on 1 May, which had blown at least one of its escape hatches without launching its ejection seat. All four members of the crew landed safely.
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