NewsAlitalia, Unions Agree To Cut Workers, CEO PayAlitalia said on Thursday it had signed a deal with unions to cut salaries, paving the way for launching a new strategic plan for Italy's flagship airline. Chief executive Gabriele Del Torchio and board members have agreed to cut their pay by 20 percent, while 2,200 ground staff will work 5 fewer days per month under a state-backed scheme. "Everyone has given up something important, but in this way we have been able to safeguard jobs," Del Torchio said in a statement.
LinkBombardier Says CSeries Is On TrackBombardier expects no more delays to its CAD$3.4 billion (USD$3.30 billion) CSeries airliner, a senior executive said on Thursday. "This is a done deal program," Mike Arcamone, president of the Montreal plane maker's commercial aircraft division, told Reuters in an interview. "If I look at our competition, I'm at least a year and a half ahead. We're nowhere announcing any delay. And that's something new for the aviation industry." The aviation industry has been plagued by production delays that have often lasted years, with Boeing's 787 Dreamliner the most notable recent example.
LinkVolaris To Raise Up To USD$100 Mln In IPOVolaris Aviation, operator of low-cost Mexican airline Volaris, filed with US regulators to raise up to USD$100 million in an initial public offering of American Depository Shares. Deutsche Bank Securities, Morgan Stanley and UBS Investment bank are underwriting the IPO, Volaris told the US Securities and Exchange Commission in a preliminary prospectus. The prospectus did not reveal how many shares the company planned to sell or their expected price.
LinkAirbus pilots outline likely A350 initial test regime Airbus has outlined the initial test regime likely to be flown by the A350-900 when it performs its maiden flight from Toulouse. Configured at a medium centre of gravity and medium weight, the aircraft will be flown off the runway in direct law, with flight-control computers disconnected. The aircraft will probably be taken to around 10,000ft (3,050m) for the initial part of the test, travelling at an airspeed of around 200kt (370km/h). Project test pilot for the A350 program Frank Chapman says the Airbus procedure is "slightly different" to Boeing's.
LinkAirbus set for smooth transition to A320neoAll A320neos will be fitted with the newly-developed sharklet wing-tip as standard. If Airbus keeps to its preliminary schedule for A320neo transition then, from the second quarter of 2017, it will start producing more of the re-engined twinjet than the baseline A320. The crossover point will come only 18 months after the A320neo enters service, and Airbus expects to achieve a monthly production rate of 42 aircraft from the beginning of 2018. A320neo chief engineer Pierre-Henri Brousse says that the transition between the two types is "secured and top priority" for the airframer.
LinkWestJet Encore receives first Q400 in Toronto WestJet Encore received its first Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 today at Bombardier's plant in Toronto at Downsview Airport. The aircraft with registration C-FOEN is the first of 20 firm orders the new regional airline will take over the next three years. A second Q400 with registration C-FHEN is also scheduled for delivery this month.
LinkAirbus hybrid could balance needs of new BelugaAirbus is considering a hybrid airframe platform as it works to refine its options to replace the A300-600ST Beluga freighters central to its manufacturing operation. The airframer is trying to balance a need to maximise capacity against the performance limitations of runways at plants including Broughton and Méaulte, which respectively manufacture wings and cockpits for the A350. While Airbus is drawing up a strategy, known as Fly 10,000, to optimise its Beluga operation and extend its life, it has been studying a future replacement jet.
LinkEurocopter reveals more detail on EC225 fixesEurocopter has released further details of its planned fix for the problems bedevilling the EC225, which led to an estimated two-thirds of the global Super Puma fleet having being grounded since last October. The Marseille-based manufacturer released the information to its technical publications website on 24 May, describing it as "proposed improved safety measures and EC225 roadmap for the complete return to service". It says the proposals - if accepted by EASA - should allow the 11t helicopter to "safely return to flight" in June or July.
LinkSouthwest Airlines finds success in DenverSouthwest Airlines started service in Denver seven years ago, and now carries more local passengers than other airlines. "Denver is the fastest-growing city in our history," said Robert E. Jordan, Southwest's chief commercial officer.
LinkAlaska Airlines to use Bombardier Q400s for in-state routeAlaska Airlines plans to replace the aircraft the carrier uses to fly between Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska. The carrier has purchased three Bombardier Q400 turboprops for the route, which will replace Boeing 737 jets. "These planes are really advanced and I think passengers are going to have a very nice travel experience," said Marilyn Romano, Alaska Airlines regional vice president.
Link53 airlines report $27B in ancillary revenue in 2012IdeaWorksCompany researched 116 airline financial filings around the world, 53 of which disclosed direct ancillary revenue. The revenue stems from baggage fees and other a-la-carte features offered by airlines. The airlines that showed the most revenue per passenger were Qantas, Spirit and AirAsia X. "Whatever the source, it is revenue desperately needed by airlines during troubled economic times," said Jay Sorensen, president of IdeaWorksCompany, in a statement.
LinkCompetition for airline unions is healthy, expert saysThe Teamsters have been giving airline workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and the Transport Workers Union another option for representation. "To me, it's good for the IAM and the TWU to be kept on their toes," said Jonathan Cutler, associate professor of sociology at Wesleyan University. "An election opens up an area of competition."
LinkIATA unveils demo for booking wider range of airline servicesThe International Air Transport Association has unveiled a demo of an XML-based standard for booking airfares. The New Distribution Capability Demonstrator shows how users and travel agencies can book travel with a wider range of airline services.
LinkFree app allows user to voice search for airfaresThe CheapAir.com mobile application allows travelers to search for airfares through voice search. The free app is available on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The app works for flights in the U.S., or international flights to and from the U.S.
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