AirlinesAir Canada exec discusses 450-seat aircraftBen Smith, president of passenger airlines for Air Canada, said the carrier plans to deploy 777s with dense seating to compete with charter-type carriers such as Air Transat. "We've come to the realization we pushed the premium cabin a bit too far so we're going to put the 787 product on the airplane and bring capacity down from 458 to 450," said Smith.
LinkRussia suspends AOC for Center-South AirlinesRussia’s federal air transport agency, Rosaviatsia, suspended the air operator’s certificate (AOC) for Center-South Airlines, effective Oct. 1, due to multiple violations. The decision was made after an unscheduled inspection on Sept. 15. Rosaviatsia said in a statement the Belgorod-based carrier operated scheduled flights without the required number of aircraft.
LinkFastjet expects Zimbabwe AOC 'within weeks'Pan-African low-cost carrier Fastjet is "about a week away" from securing the AOC for its new Zimbabwean subsidiary. Speaking at the World Routes conference in Durban, Fastjet chief commercial officer Richard Bodin says that the first A319 for its Zimbabwe start-up has been delivered and a "proving flight" will be carried out in the coming days.
LinkFinnair targets US debut for A350Finnair aims to become the first airline to operate an Airbus A350 service to the USA, with plans to use a -900 for New York JFK flights before the end of the year. The Oneworld carrier outlined its intention to deploy the type to the USA later this year in detailing a "slightly adjusted" A350 launch schedule today.
LinkGulf Air narrows losses in 2014Gulf Air has turned in an annual loss of BD62.7 million ($166 million) for 2014, an improvement on 2013’s figure of BD93.3 million. Last year’s figures continued the slow but steady improvement in the financial situation of Bahrain’s national carrier that, as recently as 2011, lost BD211 million. Gulf Air described the latest, recently confirmed figures as its “best financial results since 2004.”
LinkHawaiian to benefit from narrowbody aircraftHawaiian Airlines is adding narrowbody A321neos to its fleet in around two years, which will allow the carrier more flexibility, according to columnist Adam Levine-Weinberg. "The arrival of the A321neo could potentially allow Hawaiian Airlines to open new West Coast gateways that weren't feasible to serve with widebody planes," he writes.
LinkMalindo Air extends route network to IndiaMalaysian low-cost carrier (LCC) Malindo Air will introduce a new flight from its base at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) to India’s Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (Amritsar). The 3X-weekly Boeing 737-900ER service will begin Oct. 25 as part of a plan to enhance its capacity and route network. The new route will see Malindo—a joint venture between Indonesian low-cost carrier (LCC) Lion Air and Malaysia’s National Aerospace and Defense Industries (NADI)—continue its push into secondary cities across the West Asia region.
LinkGrowing Mango eyes African expansionSouth African low-cost carrier Mango will turn its attentions to expanding into routes beyond South Africa as it continues on recent strong growth. Its chief executive Nico Bezuidenhout, having completed a second stint as acting chief of parent company South African Airways, says that after relatively slow growth during the first few years, Mango has increased its output 71% since 2010. It has been growing at double-digit rates and will do so again this year.
LinkRepublic Airways, pilots to meet with NMB on new contractThe International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and Republic Airways will meet with the National Mediation Board (NMB) for the second time this week to discuss a new pilot contract. The deal would cover almost 2,100 aviators at Republic Airlines and Shuttle America, the union told pilots in an email Sept. 21.
LinkSongbird Airways announced today that it is considering offers to sell the company.Songbird, which has been in business for 25 years and formerly known as as Sky King, was purchased by its existing shareholders following a successful reorganization from bankruptcy in November 2014. The company was started in 1980 by one of the founders of the NBA's Sacramento Kings, hence the former name Sky King.
LinkSouthwest prepares for international flightsSouthwest Airlines is preparing to launch international flights from Houston Hobby airport on Oct. 15. The carrier will debut eight routes next month. Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said the new routes will provide "much needed relief from some of the highest international fares in the country."
LinkUnited To Seek Approval For Xian ServiceUnited Airlines plans to operate flights between the United States and Xian, a popular tourist destination close to the Terracotta Army site, from May next year. United said it would apply to the US Department of Transportation for approval to start seasonal nonstop flights between San Francisco and Xian. The carrier already flies to more cities in mainland China than its US rivals.
LinkEurope's Airlines Increasing Jet Fuel HedgesEuropean airlines are exploiting a collapse in oil prices by hedging more of their fuel needs further into the future, but those that kept their powder dry before the rout are emerging as clear winners. At a time of heightened price volatility, carriers are also considering using more options contracts to access lower prices should they fall further.
LinkPassenger Traffic in Venezuela Falls 8.5% While Rest of Region GrowsWhile other key economies in Latin America report positive numbers in passenger traffic, Venezuela has experienced 8.5% decrease in 2014, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). “The 8.5% fall in passenger numbers is significant. By contrast, other key Latin American economies saw passenger growth in the 2 to 12% range. An urgent change of policies is needed,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
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