NewsMore US capacity cuts needed after Southwest cuts growth, analysts say Recent news from Southwest Airlines that it is scaling back planned growth through year-end will help keep domestic capacity in check as costs rise, but similar moves will be needed by peers to cement what analysts believe is a necessary market correction. “Looking forward, domestic capacity continues to appear challenged despite” Southwest’s cuts, Morgan Stanley analysts wrote.
LinkWestJet LCC Swoop gains Transport Canada AOC Transport Canada (TC) has granted the air operator’s certificate (AOC) for Calgary-based WestJet’s new ultra-LCC Swoop, clearing the way for inaugural flights June 20. “Receiving our air operator’s certificate ticks the last check-box,” Swoop president and CEO Steven Greenway said.
LinkVirgin Australia CEO Borghetti to step down in 2020 Virgin Australia Group CEO John Borghetti has announced he will leave the carrier in 2020, which sharpens the focus on who will succeed him. The carrier released a stock market announcement saying Borghetti has advised the board he will not seek to renew his contract beyond January 2020. Borghetti “has signaled his desire to depart by this date to enable the group ample time to recruit an incoming CEO and allow for an appropriate transition,” Virgin Australia said.
LinkUK aerospace industry urges pre-Brexit safety pact ADS, the trade body representing the UK aerospace industry, has urged talks to ensure aviation safety arrangements between the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK‘s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are hammered out before the UK leaves the European Union, or Brexit. In a letter to the European Union’s (EU) chief Brexit negotiator Michael Barnier, ADS, together with general aviation body GAMA, said they are concerned that urgent steps are required to find a solution to this problem.
LinkEU approves sale of 49% of London Luton AirportThe European Commission (EC) has given the green light for UK global investment manager AMP Capital Investors and Spanish airports operator Aena Internacional to acquire joint control of London Luton Airport. In April, private investment firm Ardian announced plans to sell its 49% stake in the airport to AMP Capital.
LinkAir Mauritius eyes alliance with Kenya Airways, South African AirwaysAir Mauritius is looking to form an alliance with Kenya Airways and South African Airways (SAA) as rising fuel prices and exchange rate fluctuations create pressure on the Indian Ocean-based carrier, CEO Somas Appavou said.
LinkCEO: Avianca, Avianca Brasil merger needs more time for approval The merger between Avianca Brasil and Avianca Colombia is taking more time than expected, Avianca Brasil CEO Jose Efromovich told ATW
LinkRotterdam to trial autonomous-vehicle bag systemRotterdam The Hague Airport in the Netherlands will trial a new autonomous-vehicle baggage sorting system, named FLEET, which is being developed by Dutch logistics-automation company Vanderlande.
LinkCypriot’s Cobalt Air, Etihad seal interline agreementCypriot carrier Cobalt Air, has reached an interline agreement with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways. Cobalt said the deal will help the Larnaca-based carrier to widen its passenger reach while encouraging more tourism from the Middle East and further east to Cyprus.
[url=atwonline.com/airports-routes/cypriot-s-cobalt-air-etihad-seal-interline-agreement?NL=ATW-04&sfvc4enews=42&cl=article_7_6&elqTrack=true]
Link[/url]
American's NYC-Chicago shuttle designed for business travelersAmerican Airlines in April launched a shuttle service between LaGuardia airport in New York City and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport that features amenities designed to appeal to frequent business travelers, including dedicated check-in counters and baggage carousels and a consistent schedule. Travelers can check in as late as 25 minutes before departure without checked bags and 35 minutes before departure with checked bags.
Link Hawaiian Airlines sees record passenger traffic in MayHawaiian Airlines served more than 1.01 million passengers in May, a 4.7% year-over-year increase and a new record. The airline reported 1.45 billion revenue passenger miles for the month, up 5.6% compared to May 2017.
LinkCEO: Air Canada is stronger than everAir Canada CEO Calin Rovinescu said the airline is stronger than ever, pointing to a new loyalty program and joint venture with Air China. "You never want to spike the ball in victory too early, but we have become a much more resilient, strong airline with a much stronger balance sheet," he said.
LinkUnited Airlines sees passenger uptick in MayUnited Airlines saw a 6.7% increase in revenue passenger miles for May compared to the same month last year, a 4.2% increase in available seat miles and a two-point increase in its consolidated load factor. The airline reported a 1.6% increase in cargo revenue tonne miles for the month compared to May 2017.
LinkAir Canada expands seasonal service to St. KittsAir Canada is expanding its seasonal service between Toronto and St. Kitts. The carrier will offer weekly nonstop flights to the West Indies island from November to the end of April.
LinkN.D. university, United Airlines build job path for pilotsThe University of North Dakota and United Airlines are joining to create a clear path to jobs for students who graduate from the university's aviation program. "We're looking at it as, [at] United we need to hire somewhere between 500 and 700 pilots a year for the foreseeable future and this is one tool that we have now to help us manage that," said United Capt. Mike McCasky.
LinkUnited updates disaster planUnited Airlines is updating its disaster plan following lessons learned last year during Hurricane Harvey. "We are looking at our customers' safety, our employee safety and getting our assets out of town. It's a very difficult thing to do," said Mike Erbeck of United Airlines Station Operations in Houston.
LinkDallas-area airports' traffic surpasses other major Texas airportsDallas/Fort Worth International and Dallas Love Field served a combined 49.9 million passengers from May 2017 to April 2018, according to OAG. Other major Texas airports, including Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport; Austin-Bergstrom International and San Antonio International, served a combined 48.5 million passengers.
LinkLOT 787-9 livery celebrates Polish independencePolish flag-carrier LOT's latest Boeing 787-9 has emerged with a special livery to mark a centenary of Poland's independence. The Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-powered twinjet (SP-LSC) features the country's outline on the forward fuselage and a streaming red-and-white design representing the Polish flag along its length.
LinkAero Vodochody and IAI pitch revamped L-159 for OA-X needAero Vodochody and its new partner Israel Aerospace Industries are making a late bid to be selected for the US Air Force’s OA-X close air support programme with an advanced version of the L-159 they say could be ready for delivery from 2020.
LinkNATO allies hone personnel recovery skillsHelicopters and fixed-wing aircraft from seven NATO and Partnership for Peace countries took part in a major multinational personnel recovery exercise that concluded in Europe earlier this month. Running from 22 May until 6 June, the air-centric personnel recovery operators course (APROC) event was hosted by the Netherlands Defense Helicopter Command, and involved almost 600 participants from a total of 12 nations.
Link 
