AirlinesAirberlin 3Q losses mount on weak tourism demandOneworld member airberlin reported a third-quarter loss of €45.6 million ($51.2 million), reversed from a €56.2 million profit in the year-ago period. Third-quarter revenue was down 5% year-over-year (YOY) to €1.23 billion. Airberlin said in a Nov. 10 statement the 3Q earnings were influenced by ongoing weak demand in the tourism industry in a challenging market environment.
LinkAmerican Airlines, instructors approve 5-year contractAmerican Airlines and the union representing the airline’s flight crew training instructors and simulator pilot instructors approved a new five-year contract Nov. 10. The agreement will take effect Nov. 21. The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier’s 330 crew and pilot instructors are represented by the Transportation Workers Union (TWU). TWU Local 548 led the bargaining negotiations on behalf of the instructors. The instructors are stationed at American’s training centers in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, Charlotte, North Carolina and Phoenix, Arizona.
LinkArgentina potential captures airline interestAfter years of being shut off to foreign competition, Argentina's aviation industry looks set to open up to foreign carriers as a new government moves away from decades of protectionist policies. Despite diminished economic growth in many Latin American economies, the potential growth of the Argentinian aviation market has remained a bright spot for the region's airlines since the government of president Mauricio Macri took office in December 2015.
LinkEmirates becomes all-Airbus A380/Boeing 777 operatorDubai-based Emirates Airline has retired its last Airbus A330-200 and A340-300 aircraft, becoming an all-Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 operator for passenger flights.Emirates recently retired the last of 29 A330-200s in its fleet. The aircraft joined Emirates in 2002 and had flown more than 60,000 hours in 14.5 years.
LinkGaruda Indonesia aims for cautious growth on London Heathrow route Garuda Indonesia is aiming for cautious growth on its recently launched Jakarta-London Heathrow service. Garuda began services into Heathrow in April 2106, having previously operated into London Gatwick. The UK capital’s second airport served the Indonesian flag carrier well, but it came under pressure to move to Heathrow.
LinkJetBlue begins service to third Cuban cityNew York-based JetBlue Airways began 4X-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to a third Cuban city, Holguin, located in eastern Cuba 400 miles from Havana, on Nov. 10. “We commend the work of both US and Cuban officials for making today possible,” JetBlue president and CEO Robin Hayes said. “We also commend the Cuban Ministry of Transportation, IACC, and the Holguín Airport for entrusting us to operate this route and look forward to our long-term partnership as we continue to grow our presence in Cuba.”
LinkJetBlue unveils special livery retrojetNew York-based JetBlue Airways has unveiled a special livery on an Airbus A320, in an imagination of what its paint scheme would have looked like in the 1960s. Called “What’s old is blue again”, the A320 features orange and blue “speed stripes” that were popular in aircraft liveries in the past.
LinkLATAM to launch LCC domestic model; posts $5 million 3Q profitSantiago, Chile-based LATAM Airlines Group posted a $4.7 million net profit for the 2016 third quarter, reversed from a $113.3 million net loss in 3Q 2015. Third-quarter revenue for the South American airline group—which comprises LATAM Airlines and its affiliates in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru; LATAM Cargo; and loyalty-program company Multiplus—grew modestly (0.2%) to $2.5 billion.
LinkQatar Airways to complete Meridiana deal by January Qatar Airways CEO is Akbar Al Baker is expecting to conclude a deal to acquire 49% of Italian carrier Meridiana Fly by January 2017. Talks toward the deal have been going on for months. The partners signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in early February, which led to an agreement signed July 14 at the Farnborough Airshow. After several delays, the deal was expected to close by October.
LinkRyanair and TUIfly ordered to repay state aidIrish low-cost carrier Ryanair and German leisure airline TUIfly have been ordered to repay a total of €12.7 million ($13.9 million) in state aid after the European Commission ruled their deals with Austria’s Klagenfurt Airport were anti-competitive. Klagenfurt is a small regional airport that is owned by local authorities. In its ruling, the Commission found the airport’s state funding was in line with European Union state aid rules, but some of the airport’s airline deals were not.
LinkSouthwest to launch Austin-Kansas City route this springSouthwest Airlines plans to launch a flight between Kansas City, Mo., and Austin, Texas, in spring of next year.. "With nearly 100 daily passengers making connections between Kansas City and Austin every day, this new nonstop flight will greatly improve the travel experience, cutting elapsed travel times nearly in half," said Pat Klein, director of Kansas City's Aviation Department.
LinkThai Airways Lowers Third Quarter LossThai Airways announced a smaller net loss of THB1.59 billion baht (USD$45 million) in its third quarter. The loss was an improvement from the THB9.89 billion loss in the same period last year.
LinkUnited Parcel Service planning new logistics hub for AtlantaUPS confirmed it will invest $400 million to open a new logistics hub near Atlanta's Charlie Brown Airport. The hub on the city's Westside will create approximately 1,250 jobs for the area.
LinkVolaris Costa Rica secures AOC, will launch Dec. 1Mexican ultra low-cost carrier (ULCC) Volaris Costa Rica has received an air operator’s certificate (AOC) from Costa Rica’s Civil Aeronautic Authority, paving the way for the Dec. 1 launch of the new Volaris subsidiary. “It [the certification] represents the opportunity [for Volaris] to grow and expand to other markets, being able to connect Central America,” Volaris CEO Enrique Beltranena said. Volaris will become the first ULCC in Central America.
LinkWizz Air interim 1H profit up 39.1%Central and Eastern European low-cost carrier (LCC) Wizz Air reported an interim first-half net income of €253.3 million ($284.2 million) for the six months to Sept. 30, up 39.1% from a €182.1 million profit in the year-ago period. Wizz Air CEO József Váradi described the results as “another strong all-round performance.” He added there has not been demand weakness on UK routes following the country’s decision to leave the European Union (Brexit).
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