AirlinesAirlines allow flexible booking due to winter stormFlights in the northeast have been canceled as a winter storm moves over the region. Many airlines allow flexible booking for travel later in the week.
LinkFrench ATC strike causes over 1,500 cancellationsThe latest French air traffic control (ATC) strike has caused a record-breaking 1,500 flight cancellations, according to estimates by commercial aviation group Airlines for Europe (A4E). The industry body, which represents Europe’s biggest airlines, said the March 6-10 walkout affected more than 1 million passengers and led to more than 320,000 minutes—or 5,300 hours—of delays.
LinkAmerican prepares for Los Angeles-Beijing routeAmerican Airlines is working to line up viable slots in Beijing after receiving Department of Transportation approval to delay the launch of its Los Angeles-Beijing route until September.
LinkAmerican to include main cabin meals on transcontinental flightsAmerican Airlines will provide meals at no extra cost for all main cabin seats on two transcontinental routes, beginning May 1. The move, announced March 14, follows Delta Air Line’s recent decision to include main cabin meals on 12 transcontinental routes. Delta’s main cabin meal service began March 1. The changes by both airlines are reversing a longstanding trend of US airlines not including meal service with economy-class tickets on domestic flights.
LinkCrashed Dana MD-83 crew feared reprisal over emergencyNigerian investigators have disclosed that the crew of a Dana Air Boeing MD-83 failed to take emergency action in response to a serious engine problem, apparently in fear of attracting attention from regulators, before the jet experienced dual-engine power loss and crashed on approach to Lagos.
LinkFedEx's US-Cuba cargo service to launch this fallFedEx is the first US all-cargo carrier to win approval for slots to Cuba. The company recently received approval to delay its launch of Cuba operations until October.
LinkCracked component, crew lapses cited in SIA 777 fire reportA cracked component in the General Electric GE90 engine was behind a wing fire sustained aboard a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER on 27 June 2016. In its final report into the accident, in which none of the aircraft’s 241 passengers were injured, Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau has listed a series of safety actions and provided several safety recommendations.
LinkSilver, Frontier drop Cuba service amid uncertainty over new marketUS carriers Silver Airways and Frontier Airlines said they will end service to Cuba, citing excess capacity and other challenges in the newly reopened US-Cuba market. Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Silver and Denver-based Frontier were two of nine US airlines that started serving Cuba in the second half of 2016 and early this year after former US President Barack Obama initiated a reopening of US-Cuba relations that included the first air services agreement between the two countries in more than 50 years.
LinkTurkish Airlines posts $77 million net loss for 2016 Turkish Airlines reported a 2016 net loss of $77 million, reversed from a net profit of $1.7 billion for the previous year. The Istanbul-based carrier reported a $291 million loss from main operations for the year, reversed from an $895 million profit in 2015. Revenue for 2016 was $9.8 billion, down 6.9% from $10.5 billion last time.
LinkUnited Airlines extends Gold status to elite Marriott Rewards membersMarriott International loyalty program members who have achieved Platinum Premier Elite status or Platinum Elite status are now able to receive benefits from United Airlines, including free upgrades and expedited check-in.
LinkEuropean Court annuls UPS, TNT merger rulingThe General Court of the European Union has annulled a European Commission ruling, which blocked a 2012 merger between express delivery companies United Parcel Service (UPS) and TNT. In 2012, UPS notified the Commission of its plans to acquire TNT, but the deal was denied Jan. 30, 2013 on competition grounds.
LinkChinese regulator cancels Ying’an Airlines’ AOC The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has revoked the air operator’s certificate (AOC) for Ying’an Airlines because, CAAC said, the airline was no longer able to conduct safe operations. The Yunnan carrier is the smallest carrier in China and operated only one MA60 aircraft, which the regulator said did not comply with airworthiness requirements. CAAC cited “outflow of the main operation team and safety management professionals” as another reason for the AOC cancellation.
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