NewsANA To Buy 49 Percent Of Asian WingsANA will buy a 49 percent stake in Myanmar carrier Asian Wings Airways as part of a strategy to expand overseas by investing in airline related businesses, an industry source familiar with the agreement said. ANA, will pay JPY¥3 billion (USD$30.45 million) for the stake, the Nikkei business daily reported. The two carriers may announce the deal on Tuesday, the source said on condition he was not identified. Yangon-based Asian Wings, which began flying in 2011, operates three turboprop ATR 72 regional aircraft and one Airbus A321 on domestic flights in Myanmar. The airline plans to begin international service in October with a flight between Yangon and Chiang Mai in Thailand, the Nikkei said.
LinkTurkish Airlines Q2 Net Down Almost A ThirdA weak lira cut net profit at Turkish Airlines by almost a third in the second quarter despite a sharp rise in sales. The flag carrier, one of the world's fastest growing airlines, said on Tuesday net profit fell 29 percent to TRY143.5 million lira (USD$72 million) in the three months to the end of June. Sales in the quarter jumped 20 percent to TRY4.6 billion. Turkish Air carried 22.4 million passengers in the first six months of the year, up 26 percent year-on-year. It says it aims to increase passenger numbers to 46 million this year from 39 million last.
LinkPlane Makers Eye Sales At Russian Air ShowRussia needs to replace hundreds of aircraft as rising passenger numbers drive higher demand, yet many orders are set to go to overseas plane makers. While President Vladimir Putin has pledged his support to the aerospace industry with ambitions to sell USD$250 billion worth of aircraft by 2025, Russia has struggled to revive its own airline manufacturing industry and its Superjet program for instance has been plagued by problems. All of which means foreign makers such as Bombardier, Boeing and Airbus view Russia as an important growth market.
LinkRussia’s TsAGI studies new business jet designRussia's Central Aerohydrodynamics Institute (TsAGI) has carried out a study into a future small business jet-type aircraft with "enhanced levels of comfort" at high subsonic speeds thanks to a specially-formulated fuselage shape designed to reduce drag. The windtunnel research, which the agency says was at its "own instigation and not for a commercial client," tested a model of an aircraft representative of a jet weighing around 6,000kg, capable of carrying six passengers 1,730nm (3,200km) or three passengers 2,270nm. The aircraft model was tested at cruising speeds and also at high Reynolds numbers - signifying turbulent or unstable airflow - and low airspeeds, TsAGI says.
LinkSukhoi, Ilyushin Finance confirm order for 20 SuperjetsSukhoi and Ilyushin Finance have firmed up an order for 20 Superjet 100 aircraft that was first announced at the Paris air show in June. The Ilyushin Finance order involves two contracts, Sukhoi said in a statement. The first contract with the lessor covers five Superjet 100LR aircraft with 103 seats and deliveries are set to commence at the end of 2015. The second contract covers 15 Superjet 100s in its basic configuration, with these aircraft to be deployed with carriers in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. "[The] Sukhoi Superjet 100 LR version differs from the Basic in several respects: it can reach 4,578km [2,470nm] and has an increased take-off weight - up to 49.45 tons compensated by the strengthened wing," says Sukhoi. "The SSJ100 LR is equipped with a PowerJet SaM146 engine with a 5% increased thrust compared to SSJ100 Basic version."
LinkEarly clearance and fast approach led to Tenerife conflict Spanish investigators have disclosed that an Iberia Airbus A321 had been approaching Tenerife South airport at high speed just before it landed on the same runway that a Jet2 Boeing 757-200 was departing. But it believes a premature take-off clearance to the 757 primarily contributed to the incident. Although the 757 became airborne it had not crossed the opposite end of runway 08 before the A321 touched down. Spanish investigation authority CIAIAC found the A321's airspeed on final approach had been "considerably higher than expected", even for a decelerated approach profile in which flap deployment is delayed. Iberia operations specifies that aircraft conducting such approaches must begin the final approach phase with flaps at 10° and an airspeed typically around 180-203kt, to ensure proper speed and configuration by 1,000ft.
LinkAMR CEO reports July profit, says new American poised to lead againAMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines, posted a profit of $292 million for July, which set a record for monthly profit at the carrier. "We are building a strong, competitive and profitable new American poised to lead again," wrote CEO Tom Horton in a letter to employees.
LinkJetBlue to debut first-class cabin in 2014, CEO saysJetBlue Airways plans to add a first-class cabin with 16 lie-flat seats to flights between New York and California, said CEO Dave Barger. The section will be added to Airbus A321s in the second quarter of 2014. "We know that there are customers who are very loyal to JetBlue who weren't flying us ... from New York to San Francisco and LAX [Los Angeles International Airport] because of the lack of a premium product," Barger said.]
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LinkFAA implements NextGen management tool from LockheedThe Federal Aviation Administration has implemented Time-Based Flow Management from Lockheed Martin at 20 en route centers. The NextGen TBFM tool replaces the Traffic Management Advisor system. In the future, the FAA also plans to install TBFM at airports.
LinkFareCompare CEO: U.S. government should reduce taxes and get NextGen up and runningAmong FareCompare CEO Rick Seaney's suggestions for policymakers related to airline travel, he calls for a reduction in airline ticket taxes and a focus on NextGen. "Quit diddling around with NextGen and get it up and running everywhere, not just in an airport or region here and there," he writes.
LinkDOT issues carrier disclosure guideline for travel agentsThe Transportation Department has released a new guideline for agents to follow when disclosing results of online flight searches to consumers. The document details language that the DOT will consider deceptive or unfair, such as reporting that "no flight exists" matching a client's search criteria when there actually is but the matched flight is not offered by the agency.
LinkDOJ will settle antitrust suit, professor saysSome experts expect the Justice Department to settle its antitrust suit, allowing the merger between the American Airlines and US Airways to proceed. "I think there will be a deal and my hope is that it really is the start of accommodating more entry into the industry," said Peter Golder, a business professor at Dartmouth.
LinkJetBlue Airways turns to firefighters for inspirationEmployees of JetBlue Airways spent time with the New York City Fire Department for inspiration on leadership training. The carrier also hires former firefighters to brave the front lines of the commercial airline industry. "We have over 250 retired FDNY firefighters who support us at JetBlue today, and so this trickles right into the organization. It was time well spent," said JetBlue CEO Dave Barger.
LinkClub at ATL offers airport lounge for all travelersThe Club at ATL, an independent airport lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, offers travelers the chance to unwind for $35 a day. The lounge is open to members of the public, and not just frequent fliers. "It's a democratization of the lounge," said Chris McGinnis, editor of The Ticket blog.
LinkDallas airport delays parking-payment systemOfficials at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport said they have delayed a new payment system for drivers exiting the airport. The automated system will allow drivers to pay with a credit card or North Texas Toll Authority TollTag.
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