NewsIndia Asks Kingfisher To Stop Selling TicketsIndia's aviation regulator has asked Kingfisher Airlines, which faces a possible shutdown by the government after an extended grounding of its fleet, to stop selling tickets until its concerns are resolved, a government source said.
LinkGermany Seen Ready To Block EADS-BAEPlans for a USD$45 billion merger between EADS and BAE Systems veered towards collapse late on Tuesday as Germany appeared ready to block the deal in a row over national stakeholdings.
LinkUK, France Closer On EADS-BAE MergerAn Anglo-French breakthrough over state shares in a USD$45 billion merger between EADS and BAE Systems made an extension of a negotiating deadline more likely, but put the two nations on a potential collision course with Germany.
LinkRyanair Withdraws From Stansted Airport SaleRyanair said it would not be taking part in the sale of London's Stansted airport after the airport's owner, BAA, excluded the budget airline from the process.
LinkQantas Sees No Alternative To Emirates DealQantas Airways chief executive Alan Joyce said he was confident Australian regulators would approve a proposed alliance with Dubai's Emirates and warned that a rejection would leave it no alternatives for operating flights to Europe.
LinkQatar still keen on CSeries order Qatar Airways hopes to conclude an order with Bombardier for the CSeries in the near future, says chief executive Akbar Al Baker. "CSeries is an aircraft of great interest to us," he said on the sidelines of the ceremony announcing Qatar's proposed entry into the Oneworld alliance in New York on 8 October. "We hope that in the not to distant future we will be sitting down with Bombardier and concluding a deal."
LinkLink to serve western Japan and work with StarFlyer Japanese start-up airline Link plans to serve destinations in western Japan and is likely to collaborate closely with full-service carrier StarFlyer. Co-operation with StarFlyer will come in two phases, says Link's chief executive Koichi Sugiyama on the sidelines of Japan Aerospace 2012. Before Link begins operations in 2013, StarFlyer will assist the carrier in setting up its operations. In the second phase, the co-operation could include strategic areas such as route and network planning, says Sugiyama.
LinkKawasaki seriously exploring commercial potential of C-2 airlifter Kawasaki is consulting potential customers to gauge the level of interest in developing a civilian freighter variant of its C-2 military transport aircraft. The company calls the proposed variant the YCX, and sees a niche in the market for transporting oversized cargo. Kawasaki has discussed a commercial variant of the C-2 for several years, but says recently the Japanese government agreed to let the company share extensive details of the proposed type with prospective customers. The twin-engined YCX would have a maximum takeoff weight of 141t, equivalent to the Airbus A400M, and double that of Lockheed's L-100, the commercial variant of the C-130 tactical transport.
LinkTroubled American backed by oneworld partners American Airlines’ oneworld partners expressed their support for the carrier as it navigates through a turbulent period in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. “We’ve absolutely no concerns whatsoever about what American is doing,” Willie Walsh, CEO of British Airways and Iberia parent International Airlines Group (IAG), told reporters during a press conference in New York to announce Qatar Airways’ invitation to join oneworld.
LinkAustrian to add two 777s, increase capacity 25%Austrian Airlines (OS) plans to add one Boeing 777 to its fleet in 2014 and one in 2015, which will increase long-haul capacity around 25%. Speaking in Vienna, OS CEO Jaan Albrecht said the carrier’s long-haul network delivers 43% of its total ASKs, “but we don’t have the right balance right now between short/medium and long-haul network,” Albrecht said, adding, “We have to adjust this.”
LinkRAK Airways outlines development plans RAK Airways (RT) plans to expand its fleet to four aircraft by the end of 2013 to stabilize its network, add new destinations and boost frequencies on newly launched domestic flights. On Oct. 3, RT expanded into domestic services between its Ras Al Khaimah (RKT) home base and Abu Dhabi (AUH) when it launched a codeshare with Etihad Airways (EY). Speaking at World Routes in Abu Dhabi, RT CEO John Brayford announced plans to step up RKT-AUH service from 4X-weekly to daily in December. From March, the service will increase to double daily.
LinkAmerican Airlines CEO says operations are improvingTom Horton, CEO for American Airlines, aims to assure customers that the airline "has improved significantly" in the face of recent challenges. "The operational performance is improving," he said. "We'll get past this just like other airlines before us have."
LinkDelta Air Lines plans expansion of flights from Seattle to AsiaDelta Air Lines is looking to capitalize on its partnership with Alaska Airlines to add flights from Seattle. The plan includes expanded service to Asian destinations such as Shanghai, China, and proposed service to Tokyo-Haneda, Japan.
LinkEU accuses U.S. of violating secrecy regarding A350 papersThe European Union's executive Commission has spoken out against the U.S., saying it breached confidentiality about an economically sensitive issue in the conflict between the EU and the U.S. over government subsidies of major aircraft-makers. Confirmation by the U.S. Trade Representative's office of a report that the office had obtained a financial document regarding the Airbus A350 prompted the criticism.
LinkLounge services are expanding to cater to business travelersBusiness travelers are finding it easier to relax or boost their productivity through an expanding range of choices in airport lounges, this feature says. Aside from a widened list of available access options, the lounges are increasing their offerings, including shower rooms, Wi-Fi, complimentary beverages and reading materials.
LinkWill in-flight cellphone use take flight in the U.S.?Some fliers don't want to listen to chatter from other passengers talking on cellphones during flights, but some airlines outside the U.S. have approved cellphone use -- including talking -- on planes. The U.S. government does not allow cellphone use due to safety concerns about signals interfering with communication networks. This feature details a few examples of why the rule is in place.
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