AirlinesAir Canada CEO sees US tax plan boosting airlinesCalin Rovinescu, CEO of Air Canada, says the Trump administration's plans to cut regulation and corporate taxes will make US airlines more competitive. Rovinescu predicts that cross-border trade between the US and Canada could become even easier under President Donald Trump's policies.
LinkAlitalia announces major re-think in business modelItalian flag carrier Alitalia management presented a radical new business plan to the Italian government March 16 as it seeks to turn around the loss-making airline. The plan seeks to cut €1 billion ($1.1 billion) in costs by 2019 and increase revenue 30% at the same time. It calls for reductions in staff numbers and the narrowbody fleet, as well as the adoption of a short-haul business model akin to that of the low-cost carriers (LCCs) that have siphoned off much of the company’s short-haul business in recent years.
LinkAmerican Airlines CEO: Industry set for long-term growthAmerican Airlines CEO Doug Parker says the industry should be a long play for investors. He cited structural changes to the airline industry that leave it in a stronger position to avoid boom-and-bust cycles.
LinkBrazil’s Azul commences IPOAzul Brazilian Airlines, the São Paulo-based carrier founded by JetBlue Airways founder David Neeleman in 2008, has commenced an initial public offering (IPO). Azul is offering a total of 72 million preferred shares priced between BRL19 and BRL23, or between $18.02 and $21.81, per share.
LinkFinnair Cancels Flights As Helsinki Workers StrikeFinnair has cancelled over 90 flights on Friday as ground service workers at Helsinki’s Vantaa Airport strike in support of a pay dispute with a service company. Friday’s strike, from 15:00 to 19:00 local time, is one of a series of stoppages by members of the IAU Finnish Aviation Union.
LinkArgentine ULCC startup Flybondi to launch with Boeing 737-800sArgentine ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) startup Flybondi has selected the Boeing 737-800 as its launch aircraft and is ready to begin negotiations for up to 50 737 MAX 200s. Giving a March 15 update, Flybondi said it had chosen the 737-800 over the Airbus A320 and honed its launch schedule to September. The startup had previously announced a start date in the second half of 2017.
LinkInvestigators detail A330's short landing at CologneGerman investigators probing the short landing by a Hi Fly Airbus A330-200 at Cologne have disclosed that the jet’s descent rate increased after its autopilot was disengaged. Investigation authority BFU, in an interim statement, says the jet (CS-TQW) touched down 21m short of the runway threshold, damaging runway lighting.
LinkJetBlue considering service to EuropeJetBlue Airways CEO Robin Hayes said the airline is evaluating its fleet with an eye toward possibly providing transatlantic service between Europe and the US. The carrier is deciding whether to order the Airbus A321LR.
LinkLATAM Airlines Posts First Annual ProfitLATAM Airlines reported its full year 2016 results showing net income of USD$69.2 million, its first profit since the merger of LAN and TAM in 2012. Despite a revenue drop of 5.9 percent to USD$9.53 billion, LATAM increased its operating income by 10.5 percent as it pushed costs down to USD$8.96 billion. Operating income came in at USD$567.9 million as fuel costs for the year dropped 22.4 percent to USD$2.06 billion.
LinkStrike costs hit Lufthansa's 2016 resultLufthansa Group's adjusted EBIT declined 3.6% to €1.75 billion ($1.88 billion) in 2016, as revenue shrank 1.2% to €31.7 billion. The airline group says the reduced earnings reflect a €100 million impact from industrial action by pilots in November, and that it improved its cost efficiency.
LinkLufthansa, Air Astana to codeshare Lufthansa has signed a codeshare agreement with Kazakhstan flag carrier Air Astana, beginning March 26, as the German carrier expands its strategy by cooperating with non-Star Alliance members. The codeshare covers Air Astana flights between Astana and Frankfurt, and Lufthansa flights from Frankfurt to Almaty and Astana. The two carriers offer a combined 14X-weekly flights.
LinkSouthwest invests $800M in "continuous improvement" of servicesSouthwest Airlines is investing $800 million to bring a new reservation system online and update its operations systems. This investment will improve operations and advance its "continuous improvement efforts," said Southwest executive Mike Van de Ven.
LinkSouthwest unveils first 737 Max routesSouthwest Airlines has unveiled its first Boeing 737 Max routes, as it prepares to take delivery of the re-engined jet that it was launch customer of. The Dallas-based carrier will operate the 737 Max from 1 October, with the inaugural revenue flight departing Dallas Love Field at 07:00 for Houston Hobby. It will then continue to San Antonio before returning to Dallas.
LinkRussia’s S7 Engineering to boost A320, 737 engine repair capacityRussia’s Engineering Holding, an MRO member of the S7 Group, will increase its engine repair capacity for the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft families by opening a CFM56-5B/7B maintenance facility at Mineralnye Vody Airport by the end of 2017. According to a statement released March 16, there is a growing demand for the service provided by the company’s CFM56-5B/7B maintenance shop, which was launched at Moscow Domodedovo International Airport in 2016. The shop was organized in a partnership with SR Technics.
LinkUnited Airlines steps in to help Polaris seat manufacturerUnited Airlines is working with seat supplier Zodiac to speed up delivery of Polaris class seats as Zodiac navigates manufacturing delays in the UK. "Rather than just be unhappy, we've got people on site with the folks there to make sure that we can expedite and accelerate as much as we can," said United CEO Oscar Munoz.
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