NewsCathay Pacific firms orders for 26 A350-1000s 
Cathay Pacific has firmed an agreement with Airbus to convert 16 of its Airbus A350-900 aircraft on order into the larger -1000 variant and has exercised an option to purchase 10 new -1000s. The Hong Kong-based operator signed a supplemental agreement with Airbus on 8 August 2012, after its major shareholders approved the move.
LinkPrice-fixing trio settle
Three more airlines have settled in the long running cargo price-fixing scandal. Under the agreement at the US Federal Court in the Eastern District of New York, British Airways (BA) agreed to pay US$89m. Chilean carrier LAN and Dubai Emirates Airline will pay US$66m and $7.8m respectively.
LinkRyanair CEO details Chinese, Stansted interests
Ryanair (FR) says Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) is looking at potential modifications that the Irish low-cost carrier (LCC) would like to see in the C919 single-aisle jet.
LinkWhite paper lists AA-US merger competition concerns
A merger of American Airlines (AA) and US Airways (US) could substantially reduce competition, leaving four majors controlling over 70% of the US domestic market, according to a white paper released Wednesday.
LinkSouthwest’s half-price sale goes haywire, charging customers for multiple bookings
Southwest Airlines (SWA) took to Facebook to keep customers informed after a computer issue resulted in customers being charged multiple times for a single ticket. Ironically, SWA held the half-price sale Aug. 3 to celebrate a Facebook milestone: Its page has garnered 3 million “likes.” Initially, SWA referred to “site performance issues” due to an overwhelming response to the promotion and promised to correct “duplicate bookings.”
LinkIntersky orders two ATR 72-600s
Austria-based regional Intersky (3L) has ordered two ATR 72-600s for delivery in December and March 2013. The carrier operates three Bombardier Dash 8 Q300s. It is considering new feeder services from its Friedrichshafen (FDH) hub to destinations such as Munich.
LinkHawker Cuts 170 More Jobs 
Another 170 workers at Hawker Beechcraft have been told their jobs will gone in 60 days, the Wichita Eagle reported last week. The jobs will be lost from across the ranks at the company's facility in Little Rock, Ark.
LinkRecord year for Virgin Atlantic Cargo
Virgin Atlantic Cargo has reported its best ever financial year. The seven per cent year-on-year growth to US$375.4m is the best it has ever produced. The historic result comes despite a five per cent year-on-year fall in tonnage.
LinkTailwind fleet expansion bidCharter firm Tailwind International (US), raises its game by expanding its newly acquired fleet of aircraft. Less than two months after it purchased Texas-based Cherry Air, along with its 20 Falcon jets, the company has announced plans to acquire more in a bid to extend its global reach.
LinkMore travel agents gain access to Delta's extra-legroom seats
Delta Air Lines and Amadeus have reached a deal that will allow travel agents to sell the carrier's Economy Comfort seats. Delta had earlier reached a similar deal for the ancillary service with Travelport.
LinkBlog: JetBlue expands Even More product
JetBlue and WestJet are reconfiguring seats to allow for more legroom on seats in the front of the aircraft, this blogger writes. JetBlue is building on the success of its Even More product. "JetBlue used to have two inches more legroom in the front half of the airplane on its A320s but it never charged for it," he writes. "The airline rearranged rows and created the ... product, which it could sell to those who were interested."
LinkHawaiian Airlines focuses on market in China
Hawaiian Airlines has opened sales offices in Shanghai and Beijing, a move to establish a China-to-Hawaii route. The airline is taking the same approach it did when it considered Japan -- to understand the culture and forge key relationships first.
LinkAirlines are getting it right with fewer lost bags, report saysOver the past five years, the number of mishandled passenger bags has declined from 18 bags per 1,000 passengers to just under nine. According to a SITA report, 99.1% of travelers retrieved their bags on time.
Link2 American unions will announce results of voting Wednesday
The Allied Pilots Association and the Transport Workers Union plan to announce Wednesday the results of a ratification vote on American Airlines contracts. The contracts cover pilots, mechanics and store clerks for the carrier. Flight attendants have until Aug. 19 to complete the voting process on their new contract.
LinkFAA proposes fines against American Airlines
The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed fines and civil penalties against American Airlines, which is accused of maintenance violations. "The claims process ... is not an admission that money is owed, nor is it an admission that the amount cited is correct," said a spokesman for American Airlines. "We continue to discuss with the FAA our view of the alleged violations and possible ways to resolve this consensually."
LinkColumn: Airlines retreat from latest fare increaseUnited Airlines has decided against raising airfares after briefly trying to raise round-trip fares last week, writes columnist Joe Sharkey. "The retreat from the latest attempt to raise domestic fares comes as airline managers struggle to find the right mix of price and supply as fuel costs fluctuate and the economy shows signs of slowing down," he writes.
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