AirlinesAir Canada aims for international expansionAir Canada Cargo plans to expand internationally and boost capacity by 50% over the next three years, according to Sal Ciotti, managing director. "We see South America as a very big opportunity," Ciotti said. "And markets like Dubai are emerging as new distribution points."
LinkAir New Zealand boosts profit as network growsLower fuel prices and new international service helped Air New Zealand report a net profit of NZ$338 million ($226 million) for the six months through Dec. 31, 2015, up significantly from a net profit of NZ$133 million a year earlier. Operating revenue increased 12% to NZ$2.7 billion for the period, which is the airline’s fiscal first half, while passenger revenue was up 16%. Unit costs dropped 11% versus the prior year. Fuel costs of NZ$484 million—including the adverse impact from foreign exchange rate shifts—were down 15%. The airline is projecting a pre-tax profit of NZ$800 million for the full fiscal year through June.
LinkAustralian government signs off on Qantas-American allianceThe Australian Competition and Consumer Commission granted approval for a five-year alliance between American Airlines and Qantas Airways. The alliance is still awaiting approval from the Department of Transportation.
LinkBmi regional doubles Munich hub networkUK carrier bmi regional will launch four new routes from Munich to increase its network from Lufthansa’s second hub to eight destinations. The carrier will base three Embraer Jets in Munich. New routes include services from Munich to Milan Bergamo (12X-weekly) from March 31; Norrköping (daily) from April 15, Rostock (daily from March 31); and 12 weekly services to Southampton starting April 15.
LinkCould Akbar Al Baker dump the GTF for the LEAP?The Airbus A320neo is particularly fascinating because, in a commercial aircraft manufacturing era that is mostly about engine technology, it offers a direct mano a mano duel between the Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan (GTF) and the CFM International LEAP engine programs. With airlines able to choose between the PW1100G and the LEAP-1A to power their A320neo family aircraft, we will be able to see which next-generation engine performs better under which circumstances. But most observers figured it would be some time, after multiple aircraft with the engine options were in service for a quantifiable period, before any definitive conclusions could be reached.
LinkRepublic Airways Files For Bankruptcy ProtectionIndianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings, the parent company of regional carriers Republic Airlines and Shuttle America, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The regional airline operator said in a statement that the Chapter 11 “process allows Republic and its subsidiaries to continue normal business operations while restructuring the company’s finances and contractual relationships.”
LinkSouthwest offers Amazon payment service for in-flight purchasesSouthwest Airlines announced a partnership with Amazon to allow customers to use the online company's payment platform for in-flight purchases. "Pay with Amazon makes it easy for millions of customers around the world to pay using their Amazon account," said Patrick Gauthier, vice president of Amazon Payments.
LinkWizz Air enhances Budapest pilot training centerCentral European budget carrier Wizz Air is installing an advanced Airbus A320 family aircraft cockpit simulator at its crew training center in Budapest, which will be operational this summer. It will supplement Wizz Air’s full-motion simulator, giving the company added flexibility and allowing additional scheduling options to continue to meet the training requirements for Wizz Air’s planned growth.
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