NewsDelta Tech Ops set to grow close to $800 million in 2019Delta Air Lines’ maintenance division and MRO provider Delta Tech Ops grew about 15% last year to “well over” $700 million in revenues and will continue to expand, albeit at a slower rate, in 2018, the airline projects. “It’s pushed well over $700 million, up $100 million year-over-year,” Delta COO Gil West told analysts earlier this month. “We see a similar trend in 2019, a little more moderated growth but still pushing probably close to $800 million.”
LinkRussia’s S7 Airlines reports traffic up 12% in 2018S7 Airlines carried 15.96 million passengers in 2018, up 12% year-over-year (YOY). S7 Group publishes combined statistics for Sibir Airline and Globus. Domestic traffic grew 10.5% to 11.55 million; international traffic reached 4.4 million, up 16% YOY. The results were as a result of a fleet renewal program, the carrier said in a statement Jan.18.
LinkFormer Air Canada exec named as Air France-KLM strategistAir France-KLM Group CEO Ben Smith has appointed another former Air Canada executive to a senior position at the Franco-Dutch group. Angus Clarke will become EVP-strategy of Air France-KLM. The post gives him a seat on the Air France-KLM group executive committee; he will take up his position on Feb. 1 and report directly to Smith.
LinkUS lawmaker ‘highly skeptical’ of Qatar Airways’ support of Air ItalyRick Larsen (D-Washington), the new chairman of the of the US House Transportation Committee’s subcommittee on Aviation, said he is “highly skeptical” of Qatar Airways’ financial support of Air Italy, a Milan-based carrier that is preparing to launch new routes to the US.
LinkWestJet takes delivery of first 787 for transatlantic servicesCanadian LCC WestJet has taken delivery of its first of 10 Boeing 787-9s to serve new international routes. The airline has 10 787s on order and options for 10 more. The Calgary-based carrier’s first international 787 route will connect Calgary and London Gatwick, starting April 28. WestJet currently flies the seasonal route using 767s. On May 17, it will add Calgary-Paris Charles de Gaulle to its 787 network. Calgary-Dublin service will start June 1.
LinkEl Al continues to modernize fleet with 787s Dublin-based lessor AerCap has delivered the first of four Boeing 787-9s on long-term lease to El Al Israel Airlines. It will deliver the remaining three aircraft later this year. El Al has 16 787s on order, in a mix of -8 and -9 models, from either lessors or direct from the US manufacturer. The airline is using the Boeing twinjet to replace its fleet of aging 747-400s and 767-300s.
LinkDHL Express boosts capacity at Copenhagen Airport Logistics specialist DHL Express will make a DKK1 billion ($150 million) investment in Copenhagen Airport to create a major new European hub. When complete in 2023, the airport will be able to handle five times more packages than the company’s current facility in the Danish capital.
LinkCebu Pacific set to receive first A321neo Philippine LCC Cebu Pacific is expected to receive its first Airbus A321neo soon, and under a revised delivery timetable another five are scheduled to arrive this year. The airline is “already [conducting] the tests and processes related to the delivery” of the first of its 32 A321neo orders, a spokeswoman told ATW. The official handover and delivery flight to Manila are expected to occur by early next week.
LinkJet Airways continues talks with lenders, investors on bailout plan India’s Jet Airways appears to be closer to gaining the bailout funding it needs to ensure survival, although some important details still need to be resolved in talks between the major lenders and investors. The carrier has been seeking new capital injection since at least August, and proposals have emerged that would provide the needed cash.
LinkAvianca Brazil holds on to GECAS A320s after court decisionAvianca Brazil will continue to operate 10 Airbus A320 family aircraft managed by GECAS, following a hearing in a Brazil bankruptcy court today. GECAS has agreed to suspend an earlier move to remove the aircraft from Brazil's national aircraft registry, says Brazil's civil aviation regulator ANAC.
LinkFlying start for L3 female-only pilot scholarshipsL3 Commercial Aviation says it has been overwhelmed with applications for 10 female-only scholarships on its airline transport pilot licence (ATPL) training programme, just weeks after launch. The Crawley, UK-based training provider announced its L3 Pilot Pathways Female Scholarship initiative on 3 December with a campaign mostly on social media and had received 850 expressions of interest by mid-January, says Robin Glover-Faure, president of commercial training solutions.
LinkUntrained youngster given control before fatal PA-28 crashSwiss investigators have concluded that pilot of a Piper PA-28 handed control to a 14-year old enthusiast during a pleasure flight before the aircraft fatally crashed in the Alps near the Italian border. Four occupants had been on board the PA-28, which had been conducting a flight from Samedan airport, as part of a week-long summer aviation youth camp run by Aero-Club of Switzerland.
LinkUSAF 3-D prints metal parts to keep F-22 repair cost downFor the first time, the US Air Force has 3-D printed and installed a replacement titanium part on a Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor as part of a greater effort to shrink repair costs and time. The USAF has only 186 operational F-22s and has struggled to deploy and maintain the aircraft effectively. Managing the small fleet is especially difficult because the stealth fighters are notoriously expensive to maintain or fix after damage.
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