NEWSWTO upholds Boeing subsidies ruling: Airbus & Boeing both claim victoryThe World Trade Organization (WTO) on Monday upheld a ruling that Boeing received “at least” $5.3 billion of unfair subsidies between 1989 and 2006 and agreed with Airbus that the effect of the financial support is larger than their face value in light of their “particularly pervasive” nature.
LinkFAA: US commercial aircraft fleet shrank in 2011The FAA said the total number of aircraft in the US commercial airline fleet (including regional carriers) stood at an estimated 7,185 at the end of 2011, down 29 aircraft compared to the end of 2010. According to figures released last week by the agency, US airlines operated 3,739 mainline passenger aircraft (over 90 seats) last year, 879 mainline cargo aircraft (including those operated by FedEx and UPS) and 2,567 regional aircraft jets/turboprops. Mainline US carriers' passenger jet fleet lowered by 12 aircraft in 2011, FAA said. That followed a 41 unit increase in 2010.
LinkEuropean aviation industry calls EU ETS situation ‘intolerable’Nine European aviation companies and airlines have joined forces in demanding the EU and its member states take all necessary steps to stop the escalating trade conflict with countries opposing the inclusion of aviation in the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and push for a global deal under ICAO.
LinkQantas drops premium carrier talks with Malaysia AirlinesQantas (QF) has confirmed that its plans for a partnership with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to create an Asian premium airline have been dropped. The two sides were “unable to reach mutually agreeable commercial terms,” the Australian carrier said in a stock exchange filing.
LinkOttawa Unveils Air Canada Back-To-Work BillThe Canadian government brought in legislation on Monday to block a strike or lockout at Air Canada in its latest move in a week to avert a work stoppage at Canada's biggest airline.
LinkMiddle East Carriers Unstoppable – Emirates ExecA senior Emirates executive has delivered a warning to Europe's struggling airlines that they could lose more business to booming Middle East carriers as they pay the price of years of political neglect.
LinkKingfisher Cancels More Flights On Staff ActionIndia's Kingfisher Airlines said it had to cancel some flights due to "employee agitation on account of delayed salaries", pushing the debt-laden carrier deeper into trouble.
LinkCRJ700 oscillation traced to radio altimeter short-circuit French investigators have determined that a short-circuit in a Bombardier CRJ700's radio altimeter antenna cable caused the autopilot to over-correct, and the jet to oscillate near the ground, as it tried to maintain the vertical glideslope profile. The Brit Air aircraft had been attempting a low-visibility Category IIIa approach to Paris Charles de Gaulle's Runway 08R, and the crew aborted the landing twice. As the jet descended below 1,700ft, the crew noticed the radio altimeter was behaving intermittently. The pilots executed a missed approach at 800ft but during the second landing attempt, a similar situation occurred, prompting a second go-around.
LinkAirAsia X suspends Christchurch services Malaysia low cost long-haul carrier AirAsia X will be suspending its services to Christchurch, New Zealand. From 31 May onwards, the carrier will cease its four-times weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Christchurch, in a move to improve its operating efficiency. It will instead concentrate its capacity in its core markets of Australia, China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea, said the airline.
LinkLondon Gatwick confident on approval for A380 plans London Gatwick airport is likely to gain approval from local government next week to begin modifications to its North Terminal to allow pier-served access to Airbus A380 aircraft. The airport submitted consultative documents to Crawley borough council on 12 January detailing the changes it is planning to make to two non-pier-served "push and hold" positions - stands 125 and 110 - at the western end of pier 6. Owing to the nature of the development, Gatwick does not need planning permission but the council could still raise an objection.
LinkUnited Continental sells bonds backed by 787 Dreamliner
United Continental received a 4.15% interest rate on some of the Class A portion of bonds in a recent offering. The carrier offered $892.1 million of bonds backed by the 787 Dreamliner. "United is probably the strongest legacy airline credit in a volatile industry," said analyst Jeff Straebler. "The market is hungry for paper now."
LinkSouthwest may be in for bumpy ride, ex-American Airlines CEO says
Former American Airlines CEO Gerard Arpey said Southwest Airlines could be facing some turbulence. "Network carriers ... are going to be formidable to compete with, which is going to create enormous challenges for Southwest going forward," he said at a Boston event.
LinkAmerican Airlines, unions could be headed to arbitration
Unions representing employees of American Airlines, whose parent company, AMR Corp., filed for bankruptcy last year, have asked U.S. mediators to step in for binding arbitration. While waiting to hear back from the U.S. National Mediation Board, AMR spokesman Bruce Hicks said in a statement, "[W]e must stay focused on reaching consensual agreements that allow the company to restructure successfully.
LinkEmirates announces aggressive hiring plan for U.S. surge
Emirates Airline has announced an aggressive hiring plan that will add about 450 pilots and 4,000 flight crew. The hiring is necessitated by Emirates' efforts to grow its presence in the U.S. "It's a natural progression. It's the last piece of the global expansion," said President Tim Clark.
LinkBoeing outpaces Airbus for orders in January, February
Boeing booked orders for 385 commercial aircraft in January and February, while Airbus sold 97. Last year, Airbus had 1,419 orders, compared with 805 for Boeing. The aircraft manufacturers are offering more fuel-efficient versions of their planes.
LinkCompanies ask EU to halt ETS, report saysSeven European aviation companies, including Airbus, reportedly have asked the European Union to put its emissions-trading scheme on hold. The companies say they fear a trade war over the scheme.
LinkEurope's emissions tax will hurt economy, plane-maker warnsWith China's airlines leading the pack of countries opposed to the new emission tax for flights into and out of Europe, the European plane-making industry could face economic retaliation. Airbus has issued a letter, noting that jobs are at risk because of canceled plane orders. "[T]hese threats are now real and being translated into concrete action," noted the letter to the European Union.
LinkU.S. should lower taxes, ease regulations on airlines, group saysThe United States should lower taxes and ease regulations on the U.S. airline industry, a group says. Taxes and fees represent 20% of the cost of an airline ticket, and the Obama administration is proposing additional regulations on the industry.
LinkAirport kiosks rent, sell movies on computer flash drivesMinneapolis-St. Paul International Airport will this week unveil kiosks that rent or sell movies on computer flash drives. The service, from a company called Digiboo, allows passengers to watch the movies on any Windows PC. "A customer doesn't have to plan ahead, or to have ever downloaded one of our movies before," said Blake Thomas, Digiboo's chief marketing officer. "He or she can make the decision at the airport, just like buying M&Ms or magazines."
LinkPeoplExpress is making progress with plans for Pittsburgh airportPeoplExpress is moving forward with plans to begin service out of Pittsburgh International Airport. On Friday, the Allegheny County Airport Authority granted permission to the airport to sign signatory leases with the carrier. The carrier, based in Newport News, Va., is still awaiting approval from the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration.
LinkAir New Zealand sees financial challenges
Air New Zealand expecting more 787 delays but says it will be a "really good plane". The airline is set to receive 10 of the 787s; with the first delivery of the 787-9 series in 2014. Furthermore, the airline is postponing its 747 retirement even with surging fuel prices. To help offset rising costs, ticket prices will increase, capacity will be reduced and 441 jobs will be cut by the end of June.
Discuss HereJetBlue sees increase in February traffic
JetBlue reported an increase in February traffic of 17.4%. Furthermore, capacity increased 15.5% and the PRASM was up 6%.
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