NewsBritish Airways data breach larger than originally thoughtInternational Airlines Group has revealed that the data breach of its British Airways (BA) customer database in September 2018 affected more customers than previously believed. In notes to the Group’s nine-monthly accounts, the European airline group said that an intensive inquiry into the incident with specialist cyber forensic investigators and the UK’s National Crime Agency was continuing, although BA’s internal investigation was now concluding.
LinkRyanair, Belgian unions reach labor agreement Ireland-based LCC Ryanair has signed a collective labor agreement (CLA) with Belgian unions CNE-CSC and LBC-NVK, putting in place another piece in its patchwork of new labor agreements with staff across Europe. These CLAs will cover all of Ryanair’s directly employed pilots and cabin crew in Belgium. Belgian labor law will apply to all Ryanair pilots and cabin crew in Belgium no later than Jan. 31, 2019.
LinkRyanair responds to onboard incident Ireland-based LCC Ryanair has denied it was slow to react to an alleged racist incident that took place on one of its aircraft Oct. 19. In a video widely shared on social media, an elderly white male passenger, since named as David Mesher, was filmed abusing Delsie Gayle, an elderly black woman. The incident was apparently triggered after Mesher had difficulty getting past the woman, who was in an aisle seat, to get to his window seat.
LinkAlaska 3Q net income down 19%; slows growth to offset higher costs Alaska Air Group—parent of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air— experienced a drop in net income for the third quarter in a row, as the company struggled to generate enough revenues to offset higher fuel costs. The group reported net income of $217 million for the third quarter, down 19% from the $259 million reported in the year-earlier period. Revenue came in 4% higher year-over-year (YOY) at $2.21 billion.
LinkDelta takes delivery of first A220 Delta Air Lines took delivery of its first Airbus A220-100 at the Mirabel delivery center in Quebec, Canada. The Atlanta-based carrier, the first US operator to operate the type, has 75 on firm order. Delta will debut its A220-100s on flights to Boston Logan International (BOS) and Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) out of its New York LaGuardia (LGA) hub starting Jan. 31, 2019.
LinkIAG reports strong 3Q despite fuel, currency issues International Airlines Group (IAG) weathered the effects of rising fuel prices and unfavorable currency movements to record a net profit before exceptional items of €1.14 billion ($1.29 billion) for the third quarter (3Q), nearly the same as the year-ago restated figure.
LinkSouthwest 3Q net profit up 16.5% as yield increases Southwest Airlines reported third-quarter 2018 net income of $615 million, a 16.5% increase from a $528 million net profit in the same period last year. The Dallas-based carrier’s 3Q RASM increased 1.2% year-over-year (YOY), driven largely by a yield increase of 2.3% and offset slightly by a load factor decline of 0.9 point to 83.9%.
LinkBoeing opens new 737/767 components factory in Sheffield, UKBoeing has opened a Boeing 737 and 767 components manufacturing plant in Sheffield in northern UK, marking the manufacturer’s first European production site. “The new factory, the company’s first manufacturing site in Europe, makes actuation system components for the 737 and 767 passenger jets from raw materials sourced in the UK. At full capacity, Boeing Sheffield will produce thousands of parts each month, which will be shipped for assembly in Boeing’s Portland plant in Oregon, United States,” Boeing said in a statement Oct. 25.
LinkJAL’s A350s, 787s to fly domestic services in 2019Japan Airlines (JAL) is preparing to introduce Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s on domestic routes next year and is looking to replace its Boeing 767 fleet. The first of the Japanese flag carrier’s A350-900s are scheduled to arrive in June.
LinkJuneyao Airlines identifies Helsinki as first long-haul routeChina’s Juneyao Airlines plans to begin intercontinental operations in June 2019 with a connection between Helsinki and the private carrier’s home town of Shanghai. The daily service will employ Boeing 787-9s; Juneyao has ordered five of the type. The first Juneyao 787-9 entered service Oct. 26, flying between Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and Shenzhen Bao’an International in southern China. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) routinely requires airlines to gain domestic experience in operating a new aircraft type before using it internationally.
LinkQingdao Airlines takes first A320neo for route expansionChina’s Qingdao Airlines took delivery of its first pair of Airbus A320neo Oct. 25. The two aircraft are part of an 18 A320neo deal made in November 2016. The GTF engine manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney, will also provide the airline with a long-term EngineWise comprehensive service agreement for engine maintenance.
LinkEmbraer touts E2 costs in effort to land US ordersEmbraer is doubling down on the cost savings of the E-Jet E2 family compared to the competing Airbus A220 models in an effort to bring the latest iteration of its 100-seat aircraft to the US market. The Brazilian airframer is competing for possible orders from Spirit Airlines and United Airlines, after failing to keep long-standing customer JetBlue Airways in the fold with an order for the A220-300 earlier this year.
LinkAir Arabia unveils new livery on Airbus fleet Middle Eastern budget carrier Air Arabia has unveiled an updated livery to mark 15 years of operations. The airline unveiled the new scheme, which retains the baseline colours of the company, during a ceremony at its Sharjah base.
LinkCubana resumes domestic flightsCubana has announced that it will gradually resume certain domestic operations starting on 28 October after being grounded for more than five months. The national airline will return to Cuban skies with two weekly flights from Havana to Guantanamo, two to Baracoa and one to Camaguey, although Cubana says that more destinations will be "announced when they become available".
LinkBrazilian election 'important step' for Boeing-Embraer dealThe presidential election in Brazil today is an "important step" for the proposed commercial aircraft joint venture between Boeing and Embraer. The runoff election pits far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro against leftist candidate Fernando Haddad of the ruling Workers' Party, with the former previously speaking in favour of the venture and the latter against it.
Link F-35A wins Belgian fighter competitionBelgium has selected the Lockheed Martin F-35A to fill a 34-aircraft requirement to replace its fleet of F-16s. Belgian defense minister Steven Vandeput announced the decision on 25 October at a media briefing, making Belgium the 13th partner in the program
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