AirlinesAir Arabia net profit down 4% in 2016UAE-based low-cost carrier (LCC) Air Arabia reported a 2016 net profit of AED509 million ($138.6 million), down 4% compared to AED530 million for 2015. Turnover for the full year was steady at AED3.8 billion. The LCC carried 8.4 million passengers, up 12% from 2015. Load factor was static at 79%.
LinkAir France awaits union go-ahead for new subsidiaryAir France’s new, lower-cost long- and medium-haul airline will initially use Airbus A340s on its long-distance routes. The new operation, which is being created under the interim name Boost, will include new A350s from 2019, but initial long-haul services from summer 2018 will operate the older four-engined type.
LinkAlaska Air Group giving bonuses to employeesAlaska Air Group has announced it is paying out employee bonuses. "It is our incredibly hard-working employees who truly make our airline the best in the industry," said CEO Brad Tilden.
LinkAlaska Air Group looks at plan to address Virgin America's Airbus fleetAlaska Air Group is beginning to grapple with one of the most difficult questions of any airline merger—what does the buyer do with a new fleet of aircraft that does not match its own? This dilemma is particularly stark for Alaska Air. CEO Brad Tilden admits the carrier has been “proudly” all-Boeing in its mainline operation for several years.
LinkDelta moves to acquire additional 32% of Aeromexico for $590 millionDelta Air Lines has moved forward with a cash tender offer to acquire up to an additional 32% of Grupo Aeromexico’s outstanding shares. Delta said it is offering MXN53 ($2.60) per share. That is higher than the tender price of MXN43.59 per share Delta had said in 2015 it planned to offer for the shares, though the US dollar figure ($2.60) remains the same. ATW calculated that acquiring 32% of Aeromexico’s outstanding shares at MXN53 per share will cost Delta about $590 million.
LinkHawaiian Airlines, pilots' union agree on tentative new contractHawaiian Airlines and the Air Line Pilots Association, International union have reached terms on a contract that, if ratified, will be in effect into 2022.
LinkJetBlue sees increase to 3.9B RPMs in Jan.Traffic, capacity and load factor metrics all increased for JetBlue in January. The airline reported 3.9 billion revenue passenger miles for the month.
LinkKorean Air to take seven CS300s in 2017Korean Air will take delivery of 16 aircraft over 2017, including seven Bombardier CS300s. The SkyTeam carrier disclosed its aircraft delivery schedule with its fourth-quarter results. Besides the CS300s, it is also poised to take three Boeing 747-8 Intercontinentals, five 787-9s and one 777 Freighter.
LinkLongjiang Airlines launches inaugural flightChina’s Longjiang Airlines began daily Airbus A321 service from Harbin to Hefei and Zhuhai last weekend in an effort to explore the Northeast China market. The Harbin-based carrier received approval to launch in July 2014. Longjiang is wholly owned by Harbin Xiangyu Co. with a registered capital of CNY800 million ($116 million).
LinkMesa Airlines expands fleet with 12 Embraer 175sThe United Express fleet is expanding to 80 aircraft with the addition of a dozen Embraer 175 planes to the Mesa Airlines fleet. Mesa has expanded its United Express hub in Houston by 48 passenger jets since 2014.
LinkSouthwest launches nonstop service to MexicoSouthwest has commenced its first-ever direct flights outside of the US, connecting Oakland, Calif., to Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos, Mexico. "Our customers here in California love to go to Mexico, and it is so nice for us to be able to bring nonstop service here out of the Bay Area to those customers who love to travel to those tropical destinations down in Mexico," said Southwest's Leah Koontz.
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