AirlinesAir Vanuatu starts ATR operationsSouth Pacific carrier Air Vanuatu has begun operations with the ATR 72-600 twin turboprop. The airline already has two earlier-generation ATR 72-500s on strength and has operated the type since 2004. The new aircraft, in a 70-seat configuration, will operate both domestic services in the Vanuatu archipelago 1,750km/945nm east of Australia, as well as to other islands in the region including Fiji, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands.
LinkAvianca Holdings reports 3Q net profit of $38 millionAvianca Holdings S.A., posted a $37.8 million net profit for the third quarter of 2016, down 63% from a $102.1 million net profit the company reported in 3Q 2015. Aviana Holdings is the parent of seven Latin American passenger airlines including Colombian flag carrier Avianca and air-freight carrier Avianca Cargo. Avianca’s total operating revenue for the quarter was $1.1 billion, down 4.9% year-over-year (YOY). Operating expenses fell 3.1% YOY to $978.8 million. The company’s operating income for the quarter was $83.4 million, up 15.7% compared to $72.1 million in 3Q 2015, with an operating margin of 7.9%, up 1.4 point YOY.
LinkCopa Holdings posts $74 million 3Q net profit, record load factorPanama City-based Copa Holdings posted net income of $74 million for the 2016 third quarter, more than a tenfold increase compared to the company’s $6.2 million net profit in 3Q 2015. Copa Holdings—the parent company of Panama’s Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia—said third-quarter results reflected stronger unit revenues and lower unit costs.
LinkEmirates Airline net profit drops 75% in FY first halfDubai-based Emirates Airline recorded a net profit of AED786 million ($214 million) for the first half of its 2016-17 financial year, down 75% from AED3.1 billion in the year-ago period. Revenue for the period was down 1% to AED41.9 billion. The airline said the figures reflected increased market competition that resulted in lower fares, together with unfavorable currency movements because of the strength of the dollar.
LinkFlybe sees opportunities despite 1H profit downturnUK-based regional Flybe reported a first-half net profit of £13.4 million ($16.6 million), halved from a net profit of £26.8 million in the same period last year. The company said it made the profit on revenues of £383 million, up 43.4% from £339.6 last time. The figures were delivered by executive chairman Simon Laffin after CEO Saad Hammad left the airline by mutual agreement last month.
LinkIAG CEO Willie Walsh urges new UK-US Open Skies agreementInternational Airlines Group (IAG) CEO Willie Walsh, speaking in Washington DC Nov. 9 at the International Aviation Club, congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on his election victory and urged the US government and the aviation industry to support a new US-UK Open Skies agreement modeled on the existing US-European Union (EU) Open Skies agreement.
LinkMalaysia Airlines to boost China networkMalaysia Airlines plans to increase China services by adding eight new destinations and 11 new routes with 35 additional frequencies, beginning in early 2017. “Malaysia Airlines plans to triple our Chinese business over the next five years. I see a potential for direct flights to 20 Chinese cities from Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching by 2019. We have huge confidence in China,” Malaysia Airlines CEO Peter Bellew said in a statement.
LinkSouthwest to expand service between Denver, AlbanySouthwest Airlines plans to expand service between Denver and Albany, N.Y. Starting in spring 2107, the carrier will offer daily nonstop flights between the two cities.
LinkUnited Airlines helps raise money for military membersUnited Airlines is offering custom craft beverages in select airport lounges to help support members of the military. Proceeds from purchases of Legacy Lager, Hooyah! IPA and Patriot's Punch will go toward either the USO or Holiday Meals for Military. "At United, we have thousands of team members who served or are serving in the armed forces, and we're committed to honoring the courage these men and women have shown," said Maddie King, a spokeswoman for United.
LinkWOW Air to begin Pittsburgh services in June 2017Icelandic low-cost carrier WOW Air plans to launch 4X-weekly Reykjavik Keflavik-Pittsburgh Airbus A321 services from June 16, 2017. WOW Air founder and CEO Skúli Mogensen said in a statement that, by adding Pittsburg to its network, the carrier will cement its leading position within the ultra low-cost carriers on long-haul routes to North America and Canada.
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