AirlinesNew investor completes airBaltic buy-inLatvian carrier airBaltic has undergone a capital increase, finalizing German investor Ralf-Dieter Montag-Girmes’ 20% stake in the airline. On May 2, airBaltic’s shareholders formally approved plans to increase airBaltic’s share capital to €256.5 million ($294 million), comprising 256,472,824 shares.
LinkAirBridgeCargo reports 27% growth in 1QRussia’s AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) reported first-quarter 2016 cargo tonnage growth of 27% over first quarter 2015. The Moscow-based airline carried 132,000 tonnes in the first three months of 2016 on international cargo routes. FTKs rose 23%. “We did a lot of work last year to stay inch-close to our clients and it’s great to see that the airline’s developments back in 2015 continue to pay off in terms of the results we have achieved in the first quarter of this year …
LinkAir Seychelles posts $2.1 million net profit in 2015Air Seychelles posted a 2015 net profit of $2.1 million, down 34.4% from a net profit of $3.2 million recorded in 2014. Etihad Airways acquired a 40% stake in Air Seychelles in 2012 and the Mahé-based airline became an Etihad Airways partner. Along with other codeshare partners, including airberlin, Alitalia, Jet Airways, NIKI, South African Airways and Air France, Air Seychelles’ destinations increased from 30 to 61 in 2015.
LinkAmerican Airlines brings celebrity chefs on board for redesigned in-flight mealsAmerican Airlines is the latest airline to undertake a major overhaul in its meal program, and it's tapping celebrity chefs from around the world to help. American's new menus, which will be localized to its various travel hubs, will be rolling out over the next few months.
LinkAvianca to significantly reduce Airbus aircraft deliveriesAvianca Holdings, one of Latin America’s largest airline operators, said it has negotiated a “significant reduction” in aircraft deliveries from 2016-2019 with Airbus. Last May, Avianca firmed up an order for 100 A320neo family aircraft, the largest single aircraft order ever placed by a Latin American airline. The order brought to 133 the number of A320neo family aircraft Avianca has on order.
LinkBrussels Airlines' March traffic down 19% after terror attacksBrussels Airlines passenger traffic fell 19.1% in March following the terrorist attacks, which closed its home base for 12 days. On March 22, a series of bombings at Brussels Airport and Maelbeek metro station took the lives of 32 people and caused substantial damage to the airport building, which was closed through April 3 following the blasts.
LinkEtihad extends A380 services to Mumbai, MelbourneUnited Arab Emirates flag carrier Etihad Airways launched a daily Airbus A380 schedule to Mumbai from its Abu Dhabi home base May 1, and is set to launch service to Melbourne, Australia, on June 1. It is the airline’s fourth A380 destination following London, Sydney and New York. The A380 service to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai uses a 496-seat, four-class layout. The aircraft can accommodate up to two guests in The Residence suite, nine in first class, 70 in business class, and 415 in economy.
LinkLufthansa Group cuts first-quarter loss despite revenue slipLufthansa Group is maintaining its full-year earnings forecast after reducing its operating losses for the first quarter, despite a decline in revenues. But the company warnings that this outlook does not take into account the possibility of further strike effects.
LinkQantas launches custom postal and courier freight divisionAustralian flag carrier Qantas will launch a new cargo subsidiary in July 2016, dedicated to serving the needs of Australia Post, the national postal service provider. The new division has signed a five-year AUD500 million ($378 million) contract from Australia Post and its courier subsidiary StarTrack, the airline said.
LinkSpring Airlines posts net profit in 1QChina’s Spring Airlines earned a first-quarter net profit of CNY366.68 million ($56.7 million), up 44% over a net income of CNY254.32 million in the year-ago quarter. First-quarter operating revenue grew 3.5% to CNY2.09 billion while operating expenses increased 2% to CNY1.74 billion. The carrier didn’t reveal traffic figures.
LinkVIM Avia takes delivery of first Boeing 777Russia’s VIM Avia has taken delivery of its first Boeing 777-200ER, which is leased from MC Aviation Partners, a Mitsubishi Corp. leasing subsidiary. The aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent engines, will seat 400 passengers in a two-class layout.
LinkCalifornia's waterbomber fleet is matched only by its wildfire problemCalifornia is a US state known for its big-budget movies and wine, but also scorching droughts and massive wildfires. It expends more money and resources combating wildfires than any other state in America, with its annual firefighting budget peaking at $524 million in the 2007-2008 fiscal year. That year, then-governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency as so-called dry thunderstorms swept through the state, sparking thousands of fires across 26 counties. Since the turn of the century, California has allocated $230 million per year, on average, to fighting fires.
LinkWestJet's Q1 Profit, Revenue DownWestJet Airlines reported a drop in quarterly net profit, as oil-related business fell. WestJet's net earnings fell nearly 38 percent to CAD$87.6 million in the first quarter ended March 31. Revenue fell 4.8 percent to CAD$1.03 billion.
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