AirlinesAirberlin, Etihad codeshare extended through summer 2016Airberlin has received approval to continue codeshare flights with Etihad Airways in the IATA summer 2016 schedule, beginning March 27. An airberlin spokesperson told ATW that German Aviation Authority LBA agreed to the same number of flights—26 out of 31—as the winter schedule, which was permitted in January.
LinkAir Canada exec discusses international expansionBen Smith, president of passenger airlines at Air Canada, said the carrier has looked overseas for expansion. "We've been on a very big international expansion over the last three years," he said, noting that 66% of Air Canada business now lies outside Canada.
LinkAmerican could relaunch East Coast flight to Tokyo's Haneda airportAmerican Airlines could offer service again from the East Coast to Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. The carrier discontinued a nighttime flight in 2013 from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Haneda. American will apply for daytime Haneda slots made available under a recent US-Japan agreement.
LinkLufthansa may sell A340-300s to Iran AirLufthansa, which recently signed an agreement with Iran Air to increase cooperation between the two companies, is considering selling some of its Airbus A340-300s to the Iranian flag carrier. Lufthansa is taking delivery of 52 new aircraft this year, including two A350 XWBs that will replace the older A340s.
LinkLufthansa CEO Spohr: A320neo engine software issues slowly resolvingLufthansa chairman and CEO Carsten Spohr said the Airbus A320neo engine software issues are about 50% resolved. “The engine issues are slowly improving, but we’re not there yet,” Spohr said, adding, “That’s why we have not agreed to take the second aircraft into the fleet.” Lufthansa took delivery of its first A320neo in January following a delay of the re-engined narrowbody’s planned end-of-2015 delivery schedule. The Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engine was certified in November, but in December Qatar Airways stepped back as the planned first operator due to the engine restrictions.
LinkLufthansa Cargo 2015 earnings down 40%Lufthansa Cargo (LHC) reported earnings (adjusted EBIT) of €74 million ($81 million) for 2015, down 40% compared to €123 million in 2014. “We will still be operating in an extremely challenging market environment in the years ahead,” Lufthansa Cargo chairman and CEO Peter Gerber
LinkLufthansa Reports Near Miss With Drone Over Los AngelesThe pilot of a Lufthansa Airbus A380 reported a drone aircraft nearly collided with the airliner on Friday on its approach into Los Angeles, according to the FAA. The close encounter between the A380 and the drone occurred at about 1:30 pm local time at an altitude of 5,000 feet as the unmanned aircraft passed about 200 feet over the Lufthansa flight 14 miles (22.5 km) east of the airport, the FAA said.
LinkFirst Southwest 737 Max progresses to final assemblyBoeing has embarked on production of the first customer 737 Max which is due to be delivered to Southwest Airlines next year. Vice-president of marketing Randy Tinseth referred to the development during an investor conference in London on 16 March.
LinkSouthwest Airlines founder: Keep airlines deregulatedHerb Kelleher, founder of Southwest Airlines, says airlines are healthier and travel is more accessible and affordable than when airlines were regulated 30 years ago. "One of the things that concerns me, I hope unnecessarily, is that the newfound financial well-being of the airlines invites government intrusion. I already see bills being offered telling us how to provide customer service," he said. "I see bills being offered to increase our taxes and fees enormously. I hope that we don't succumb to that. The people -- not just of the United States but of the world -- should be alive to the fact that the new regime has permitted them to fly in enormous quantities for the first time."
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