AirlinesAirberlin to grow Berlin, Düsseldorf hubs in plan to improve finances Airberlin hopes to improve its financial results by €310 million ($349 million) in three years as it concentrates on growing its Berlin and Düsseldorf hubs. It will also focus on areas where it will can increase market share, such as on “transatlantic routes and in a number of European markets. Overall capacity in 2016 will remain stable compared to the previous year,” according to airberlin CEO Stefan Pichler.
LinkAlaska debuts route from Seattle to Charleston, S.C. Alaska Airlines announced the start of new service to Charleston, South Carolina from its hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The carrier will operate the route four days a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
LinkAmerican Airlines Changes Frequent Flier RulesAmerican Airlines will change its loyalty rewards in the second half of next year so that customers earn frequent-flier miles based on the fares they pay rather than the distance they fly. The move will make it harder to attain elite status and benefits on American by booking flights on the cheap that log thousands of miles. It follows similar changes at Delta and United.
LinkStar still in pursuit of AzulStar Alliance continues to pursue Azul to boost the grouping's network in Brazil, and expects the airline's new ties with United Airlines and TAP Portugal to open doors for relationships with other Star members. "We continue to have a dialogue with them," says Star chief executive Mark Schwab on the sidelines of the ALTA Airline Leaders Forum in San Juan. He points out that Azul, like other Brazilian carriers, is facing challenging conditions with a financial downturn in its country, and that joining an alliance might not be on the carrier's immediate list of priorities.
LinkPassenger Attempts To Open Door On Boston-Bound FlightAn apparently intoxicated female passenger attempted to open an exit door on a Boston-bound British Airways flight on Tuesday, prompting people on the plane to restrain her, the Massachusetts State Police said. There was no indication of any terrorism link in the incident, state police spokesman David Procopio said. Troopers took the woman, who is about 30 years old, into custody after the plane landed at Boston's Logan Airport, authorities said.
LinkEasyJet taking another 36 jets including 30 A320neosUK budget carrier EasyJet is exercising rights to take another 30 Airbus A320neo jets, as well as six regular A320s, to achieve an early expansion in capacity. The carrier disclosed the agreement with Airbus as it released its full-year financial results.
LinkFedEx to deliver fresh Christmas trees to troops, familiesFedEx plans to deliver fresh Christmas trees free of charge to troops stationed overseas through Trees for Troops. FedEx works with local growers to ship the trees to locations such as Afghanistan and Kuwait. "It's just a small thing that we can do as growers to express our appreciation for the sacrifices that the soldiers make for us," said Tom Dulls, a tree farmer in Indiana who participates in the program.
LinkFlybe figures climb as turnaround gains tractionUK-based regional carrier Flybe recorded a net profit of £26.8 million ($40.7 million) for the first half of its 2015/16 financial year, compared to a loss of £3.4 million in the year-ago period. Revenue was up 10.3% to £339.6 million compared to £307.8 million a year ago.
LinkGol expects to retain TAP as partner Brazil's Gol expects to retain its codeshare agreement with TAP Portugal, despite the European airline now being majority-owned by a consortium led by Azul founder David Neeleman. "We have the biggest network in Brazil. We don't believe they don't want it," Gol's director for institutional relations and alliances Alberto Fajerman said.
LinkMetroJet A321 downed by bomb: Russian security chiefExplosives brought down the Russian-operated Airbus A321 over the Sinai, Russia’s federal security service chief has told president Vladimir Putin. FSB director Alexander Bortnikov met with Putin and other senior government figures on 16 November, the president’s office states.
LinkEgypt Says No Evidence Criminal Action Behind Plane CrashDespite the Kremlin saying that a bomb brought down the Russian Metrojet passenger plane that killed 224 people, Cairo said its investigation had yet to find any evidence of criminal action. Egypt's government held its weekly meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh to show solidarity with a tourism industry hit by cancellations following the crash. The cabinet had already arrived in Sharm when Moscow made its announcement.
LinkTwo Airport Staff Detained Over Russian Air CrashEgyptian authorities have detained two employees of Sharm el-Sheikh airport for questioning in connection with the downing of the Russian jet on October 31 that killed all 224 people on board. "Seventeen people are being held, two of them are suspected of helping whoever planted the bomb on the plane at Sharm el-Sheikh airport," said a security official who declined to be named.
LinkPassengers Removed From Flight At Baltimore AirportFour passengers were removed from a Spirit Airlines flight at Baltimore's BWI Airport on Tuesday after "suspicious activity" aboard the plane, the airline said. Checks of the three men and a woman and their baggage found nothing suspicious and they were released without charges, the source said.
LinkTianjin Airlines looks to North American marketHainan Airlines subsidiary Tianjin Airlines is planning to extend its regional network to an international map by adding Tianjin-Vancouver service, planned for launch in mid-2016. The airline, which currently operates only single-aisle Airbus and Embraer aircraft, is due to take delivery of its first A330 from a 20-aircraft order allocated to the carrier earlier this year.
LinkUnited to open 2 United Clubs this weekUnited Airlines is opening two airport lounges this week. The Atlanta United Club opened Monday, and a new club at San Francisco will open Wednesday. "We are investing over $100 million in our United Club locations over the next few years to offer customers the added comfort and convenience they expect during their trips," said Jimmy Samartzis, vice president of food services and United Clubs.
LinkUnited promotes Toys for Tots with free club pass offerUnited Airlines is encouraging cardmembers who hold a United credit card from Chase to donate holiday toys. The carrier is giving free United Club passes to cardmembers who donate to Toys for Tots at two malls.
LinkUnited taste tests coffee optionsUnited Airlines is holding blind taste tests to select a new brand of coffee. "We know how important coffee is to coffee lovers," United said in an employee newsletter. "These taste tests help us decide the best way to improve coffee on board and in our clubs." The newsletter also said the carrier eliminated a processing fee for hardship refunds.
LinkUS carriers rolling out faster, reliable Wi-FiUS airlines are offering faster and more reliable Wi-Fi to improve the customer experience. Gogo, a leading provider of inflight connectivity, has introduced a satellite option that offers faster speeds than ground-based towers.
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