AirlinesAeroflot to combine subsidiaries into one companyRussia’s Aeroflot will combine three of its regional subsidiaries—Rossiya Airlines, Donavia and Orenair—into one company under the Rossiya Airlines brand. After the consolidation, the subsidiary will concentrate on regional markets, according to an Aeroflot statement. Aeroflot plans to develop the premium segment, while its Pobeda subsidiary will remain in the low-cost segment. Russia’s Far East based Aurora Airline will be a separate regional subsidiary developing the network in the east of the country.
LinkAir France Pilots' Union To Resume TalksAir France's main pilot union SNPL is ready to resume talks with the carrier's management over a planned restructuring. The airline's unions oppose plans to cut 2,900 jobs at the airline, a move that triggered a fracas on Monday with executives hounded from a meeting. Air France-KLM chief executive Alexandre de Juniac is expected to meet SNPL leaders on Friday.
LinkAlaska Airlines to begin daily L.A.-Monterey, Calif. service next monthAlaska Airlines has announced plans to add daily flights connecting Monterey, Calif., and Los Angeles beginning Nov. 5. Fares as low as $59 are available for passengers who book by Monday.
LinkAlaska Airlines Starts Service from Orange County to Los Cabos, MexicoAlaska Airlines today begins nonstop service from Orange County, California, to Los Cabos, Mexico. The flights are year-round and will operate four-times a week.
LinkCityJet poised to order SuperjetsIrish regional carrier CityJet is close to finalising an order for 15 Sukhoi Superjets to replace BAE Systems Avro RJ85s, sources familiar with the matter have indicated. The deal, which also spans options for additional Superjets, will be confirmed at the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) general assembly being held in Berlin between 13 and 15 October, say sources.
LinkFatigue contributed to RJ85 low-altitude incident: ATSBThe Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has highlighted the impact of fatigue on pilots’ decision making, following an incident where a Cobham Aviation Services Australia British Aerospace Avro RJ85 descended below minimum altitude. The incident occurred on 23 June, and involved the aircraft registered VH-NJW. There were five crew and 67 passengers on board, says the ATSB in its report.
LinkDelta increases galley room to further enhance customer serviceDelta Air Lines plans to create more room for flight attendants to work in the galley. "This is an investment to give our flight attendants the room that they asked for, and in turn so they can provide better customer service," said Delta spokesperson Michael Thomas.
LinkEthiopian Air Says ExIm Saga Risks Boeing OrdersEthiopian Airlines told Boeing that the closure of the US Export-Import Bank raised concerns about the airline's ability to take delivery of Boeing aircraft already ordered and would force it to reevaluate future orders. Boeing, which is fighting to get the trade bank reauthorised by Congress, released a letter from the airline, saying it had 21 aircraft on order that had not been delivered with a total list price of more than USD$2.5 billion.
LinkFedEx invests $122M in Milan hubFedEx Express has embarked on a $122 million expansion of facilities at Italy's Milan Malpensa Airport, a project that should be completed by mid-2016. The facility will become FedEx's third-largest European hub.
LinkGreat Lakes Aviation, Ltd. Reports September 2015 TrafficGreat Lakes Aviation, Ltd. today announced preliminary passenger traffic results for the month of September 2015.
LinkIberia Express to roll out wireless IFEIberia Group low-cost carrier Iberia Express will install wireless inflight entertainment (IFE) system Immfly across its entire fleet. “After running successful tests this summer in eight aircraft, the airline has committed to improving the passenger experience by introducing Immfly onto all aircraft in the coming months,” Iberia Express said in a statement.
LinkQantas Eyes Expansion Of Emirates PartnershipQantas is looking at ways it can expand its partnership with Emirates, such as on new routes into Australia, its chief executive said. "We would like to see Emirates flying into more Australian destinations, which they're keen on," Alan Joyce said on the sidelines of the CAPA World Aviation Summit in Helsinki.
LinkRepublic: ‘Not in breach of any capacity purchase agreements’ Republic Airways Holdings has issued a statement saying it has not breached its capacity purchase agreements (CPAs) with any major US airlines. The statement follows a complaint by mainline partner Delta Air Lines. According to the Associated Press, Delta sued Republic Oct. 5 in state court in Atlanta, on the grounds that the Indianapolis-based regional carrier did not fly the schedule it had promised.
LinkSouthwest Airlines tops on-time performance for Sept.Southwest Airlines had an 87.5% on-time rate for September, leading major domestic airlines, according to FlightView.
LinkRegulator clears TAP Portugal takeoverPortuguese anti-trust regulator Autoridade da Concorrência (AdC) has given the green light for the Atlantic Gateway consortium to acquire a 61% stake in TAP Portugal. The clearance takes the Atlantic Gateway consortium, a joint venture (JV) between JetBlue Airways and Azul Brazilian Airlines founder David Neeleman and Portuguese bus company Barranquiro Group, a step closer to finalizing its acquisition of TAP Portugal.
LinkUnited Reports September 2015 Operational PerformanceUnited Airlines today reported September 2015 operational results. UAL's September 2015 consolidated traffic (revenue passenger miles) increased 1.4 percent and consolidated capacity (available seat miles) increased 1.4 percent versus September 2014. UAL's September 2015 consolidated load factor was flat compared to September 2014.
LinkUnited Airlines Toasts New Partnerships That Bring More Premium Beverages on BoardUnited Airlines is expanding its selection of premium beverages to offer customers two new options. The airline now offers Chicago-based Crafthouse Cocktails' Moscow Mule on United-operated North and Central America flights, and Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey on flights worldwide.
LinkVirgin America Reports September 2015 Operational ResultsVirgin America Inc. today reported its preliminary operational results for September 2015. The airline's traffic (measured in revenue passenger miles) increased 6.5 percent on capacity (measured in available seat miles) that was 8.1% higher from the same month in 2014.
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