NewsSouthwest to take first 737 Max 8 in AugustSouthwest Airlines will take delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max 8 in August, ahead of planned revenue service on 1 October. The Dallas-based carrier will have 10 737 Max 8s by October, said chief financial officer Tammy Romo on Southwest's second quarter earnings call earlier today. The airline continues to expect to end 2017 with 14 of the type.
LinkDelta, China Eastern to take Air France-KLM stakesChina Eastern Airlines and Delta Air Lines will each acquire 10% stakes in Air France-KLM by subscribing to new shares through capital increases totalling €751 million ($876 million), under new wide-ranging partnerships announced by the SkyTeam partners today.
LinkAir France to take Virgin stake as Delta partners enhance JVAir France-KLM is to acquire a 31% stake in Virgin Atlantic as part of wide-ranging agreement which would bring Delta Air Lines' existing transatlantic joint ventures with European partners into a new enhanced partnership.
LinkSIA 777 twice dipped below safe altitude in Canberra: ATSBDeviations from procedure and the manual entry of waypoints saw a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-200 twice dip below safe altitude while landing at Canberra on 22 February. The incident took place on 22 February, and involved an aircraft registered 9V-SRP, which was operating a flight from Singapore to Canberra, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau says in its final report.
LinkVirgin Australia crew hailed for handling ATR 72 smoke incidentThe Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has commended the response of the crew of a Virgin Australia ATR 72-600 to a cockpit smoke incident that required a diversion. On 22 February 2017 the aircraft (VH-VPJ) was operating a Port Macquarie-Sydney service in the early afternoon, with four crew and 23 passengers on-board.
LinkGaruda begs sukuk creditors to relax issue terms Garuda Indonesia wants to amend conditions of its 2015 $500 million global sukuk issue after its financial performance failed to meet the issue's original terms. The Indonesian flag carrier wants to amend conditions stating that its consolidated total equity shall not fall below $500 million, and that its consolidated debt to equity ratio shall not exceed three times. The carrier revealed its plea to sukuk holders in a Singapore Stock Exchange statement.
LinkQantas to launch seasonal Sydney-Osaka serviceQantas will launch seasonal services between Sydney and Osaka's Kansai International airport on 14 December. The carrier will operate thrice-weekly on the route until 24 March 2018, using its upgraded two-class Airbus A330s.
LinkAirbus cuts A380 production to eight in 2019Airbus is to cut A380 deliveries in 2019 to just eight aircraft, as a result of weak sales of the double-deck type. The airframer had revealed, about a year ago, that it planned to halve annual production of the type to 12 aircraft from 2018.
LinkFranco-German defence pact does not threaten UCAV initiative: Dassault chiefThe pact between France and Germany to develop a next-generation fighter does not threaten the Franco-British unmanned combat air vehicle project on which Dassault and BAE Systems are partnered, the French company’s chief executive insists.
LinkDaher posts best first half deliveries since 2008Europe’s economic rebound has helped French manufacturer Daher record the most aircraft deliveries in any first-half of a financial year since 2008, says senior vice-president Nicolas Chabbert on 25 July.
LinkMooney commits to developing a revamped M10 pistonMooney International remains committed to developing the M10 single-engined piston for the training market, but the Chinese-owned firm has tossed out the original design and closed the research and development centre that developed it, a top executive said on 25 July.
LinkUnited Airlines to offer daily Denver-London serviceNext spring United Airlines will launch daily nonstop service between Denver International Airport and London's Heathrow Airport. The seasonal service will be offered through the end of October 2018.
LinkAlaska Airlines to expand into 30 more marketsAlaska Airlines plans to expand into 30 more markets over the next six months, building on efforts that saw the airline move into 20 new markets over the past nine months.
LinkJetBlue sees 12% increase in Q2 revenue over 2016Growth in demand, favorable timing of holidays and increased interest in the airline's Mint premium service routes helped JetBlue Airways see a 12% year-over-year increase in its second-quarter revenue. JetBlue's earnings per share rose 21% to $0.64, beating the average analyst estimate of $0.57.
LinkEthiopia creating new Aviation Holding GroupThe Ethiopian government will establish an Aviation Holding Group to oversee the country’s aviation-related interests. According to a government statement, the holding firm would manage Ethiopian Airlines, its cargo and MRO services, Ethiopian Aviation Academy, Ethiopian Airports Enterprises (EAE), Ethiopian Inflight Catering Services, and Ethiopian Hotel and Tourism Services.
LinkEtihad Airways blames one-offs for $1.87 billion loss in 2016Etihad Airways recorded a net loss of $1.87 billion for 2016, reversed from a net profit of $103 million in 2015. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier made the loss on revenues of $8.36 billion, down from $9 billion for the preceding year. Etihad said exceptional charges were major factors behind the huge deficit and its core airline operation had turned in a “solid performance.”
LinkAirbus delivery target faces supplier challenges in 1HAirbus Commercial Aircraft recorded an EBIT (adjusted) of €954 million ($1.11 billion) in the 2017 first half compared to €1.27 billion for the year-ago half. The drop reflected the aircraft delivery mix and phasing, as well as transition pricing, the European manufacturer said. First-half revenue was €21.8 billion, up 3% on the 2016 figure of €21.1 billion.
LinkAllegiant reports $48.5 million 2Q net profitLas Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., parent of low-cost carrier (LCC) Allegiant Air, posted a $48.5 million net profit for the 2017 second quarter, down 20.3% from the company’s $60.8 million net profit in 2Q 2016. Allegiant’s second-quarter revenue increased 16.2% to $400.6 million, as operating expenses increased 31.2% year-over-year (YOY) to $315 million
LinkBelavia Belarusian Airlines, Emirates ink commercial agreementsBelarus flag carrier Belavia Belarusian Airlines and Emirates Airline have implemented interline, electronic interline and special prorate agreements, which became effective July 26. The agreements enable the carriers to accept and issue tickets on each other’s eligible segments. Passengers from both carriers are able to fly between Minsk and Dubai via several transfer points, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Istanbul, Paris and Frankfurt.
LinkAireon, LVNL to evaluate space-based ADS-B in Dutch airspace Aireon, a subsidiary of Iridium Communications, has signed an MOU with Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL), the Dutch Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), to improve efficiency in the Amsterdam Flight Information Region (FIR), including the North Sea.
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