NewsUnited challenges Frontier's growth in DenverUnited Airlines president Scott Kirby offered harsh criticism of Frontier Airlines' day-old plans to launch 21 new routes from its Denver base by the spring of 2018. "They've said they're going to run a connecting hub-and-spoke network in Denver – the model that they used to have, which wound up in bankruptcy," says Kirby during the Chicago-based carrier's second quarter earnings call today.
LinkWizz details hike in 2020 capacityLow-cost operator Wizz Air expects to have 15% more aircraft in its fleet by March 2020 than it had indicated a year ago. The airline's latest fleet schedule, disclosed during its first-quarter results presentation, shows it will have a fleet of 120 aircraft by the end of the 2019-20 fiscal year.
LinkCebu Pacific keen on Tokyo Haneda rightsCebu Pacific is looking to expand its operations in Japan, on the back of strong demand. The Philippine low-cost carrier tells FlghtGlobal that it sees Tokyo Haneda as an "expansion opportunity", but that all the country's 14 weekly frequencies have been awarded to Philippine Airlines.
LinkCathay's first half operating performance 'disappointing': HoggCathay Pacific chief executive Rupert Hogg says the airline's operating performance during the first half of the year was "disappointing" due to the challenging competitive environment. "When we announced our results for 2016 in March, we said we expected the operating environment in 2017 to remain challenging. This has been the case," says Hogg in Cathay's June traffic statement, which also covered the operations of its Cathay Dragon regional unit.
LinkWinter is coming for Russia-Thailand capacityRussian tourism arrivals in Thailand rose sharply in early 2017, but airline capacity between the two nations shows no immediate signs of returning to the glory days of 2009-2015. Russia is an important market for Thailand's tourism and travel sector. Statistics from Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports show that it is Thailand's largest source of non-Asian visitors. In March 2017, arrivals from Russia leapt 44% to 157,000, which followed similarly strong growth in February and January.
LinkMiddle-market demand factors into MC-21 follow-on decisionA new 20-year forecast by United Aircraft Corp showing strong demand in the “middle of the market” will be factored into the Russian manufacturer’s decision-making for the follow-on project to the Irkut MC-21-300, a marketing executive said.
LinkFully-composite rework of An-2 biplane debuts at MAKSSeventy years after first flight of the original model, the first fully-composite version of the Antonov An-2 biplane airliner arrived at the MAKS air show less than a week after completing its own maiden flight. The Siberian Aeronautical Research Institute (SibNIA) plans to certificate the new model – rebranded as the TVS-2DTS – within two years, then promote the aircraft to passenger and cargo operators, says Oleg Parfentyev, adviser to the chairman of SibNIA for aviation projects.
LinkAirbus sees Russian opportunity against 'diminished' BoeingAs Airbus prepares to deliver S7's first A320neo, the manufacturer is looking to expand its market share in Russia against a "diminished force" from rival Boeing, says an Airbus executive. Airbus is displaying an A350-900 in the MAKS static display, highlight the company's Russian fleet that recently ticked past the 300 mark with the deliveries of a new A321neo to Red Wings and used A330s to Vim Avia and Nordwind.
LinkIlyushin Finance agrees PD-14 delivery scheduleRussia's United Engine Corporation has reached an initial delivery agreement for Aviadvigatel PD-14 powerplants to Ilyushin Finance. The engines are being developed for the Irkut MC-21-300, as an alternative to the Pratt & Whitney PW1400G.
LinkLockheed remains optimistic on F-35 buysDespite a recent report predicting reduced acquisitions and rising costs for the F-35, prime contractor Lockheed Martin believes there are still opportunities to grow the orderbook for theJoint Strike Fighter (JSF). During an 18 July earnings call, Lockheed chief executive Marillyn Hewson and chief financial officer Bruce Tanner indicated that cost and procurement details in a recently released Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) summary were not yet set in stone.
LinkGripen withdrawal narrows Belgian fighter contestStockholm has withdrawn Saab's Gripen E from a high-profile competition in Belgium, narrowing the field to a choice between the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin F-35.
LinkUK's Typhoon transition on target after Brimstone testBAE Systems says the UK's phased replacement plan for the Panavia Tornado GR4's strike capabilities remains on schedule, following a successful first separation of an MBDA Brimstone air-to-surface missile from a Eurofighter Typhoon.
LinkAlaska Air Group likely to move Virgin America to all-Boeing fleetAlaska Airlines will likely shed the Airbus jets it inherited in its takeover of Virgin America and slowly replace them with Boeing aircraft, Alaska Air Group CEO Brad Tilden said Tuesday.
LinkAlaska Airlines provides sky-high view of US eclipseAlaska Airlines is giving one group a special view of the Aug. 21 solar eclipse with a flight off the Oregon coast. "As an airline, we are in a unique position to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for astronomy enthusiasts," said the airline's Sangita Woerner.
LinkTaiwan's Mandarin Airlines opts for ATR 72-600sTaiwanese carrier Mandarin Airlines has ordered six ATR 72-600s, valued at $160 million at current list prices. The airline is a new customer for the Franco-Italian turboprop manufacturer. Mandarin Airlines is a regional subsidiary of Taiwanese flag carrier China Airlines.
LinkSaudi Arabian airports removed from laptop ban listSaudi Arabia’s Jeddah King Abdulaziz and Riyadh King Khalid international airports have been removed from the list of airports banning large personal electronic devices (PEDs) of US-bound passengers, according to a Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) statement July 19.
LinkJetBlue pilots request federal mediationJetBlue Airways pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), requested mediation services from the National Mediation Board (NMB) July 18 to assist with contract negotiations.
LinkChinese carriers report passenger boardings up 13.4% in 1HChinese carriers transported 263 million passengers in the 2017 first half, up 13.4% over the year-ago period. According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), passengers carried on international routes rose 6.1% year-over-year (YOY) to 26.7 million. The CAAC did not disclose the numbers for domestic passengers carried. Average load factor grew 0.2 point YOY to 83.3%.
LinkNew FAA airport grants to fund runway repairs in Tucson, San DiegoFAA made several of its largest airport improvement program (AIP) grants yet in its 2017 award season July 17, releasing $290.6 million in funds to 105 US airports, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) said. Of the total, $148 million is discretionary funds FAA is awarding to 26 airports based on high-priority project needs.
LinkDelta to double Seattle-Austin flights, launch Medford, Oregon serviceDelta Air Lines is boosting its recently launched Seattle, Washington-Austin, Texas service with a morning flight, its second daily departure on the route, from Oct. 1, the Atlanta-based carrier said July 18.
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