AirlinesAegean Airlines 9-month net profit up 4.2%Aegean Airlines reported 2015 nine-month net profit of €81.9 million ($92.1 million), up 4.2% from €78.6 million in the year-ago period. The airline said the results were due to increased tourist flows to Greece and particularly to Athens, network efficiencies, gradual routes maturity as well as increased connectivity. Nine-month revenue rose 8.3% to €792.2 million. Pre-tax profit for the period was €114.7 million, up 8.8% from €105.4 million year-over-year. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased 1.3% to €120.3 million from €118.8 million in the year-ago period.
LinkAeroflot Group swings to profit in first nine months of 2015Russia’s Aeroflot Group has reported a net profit of RUB1.83 billion ($27.7 million) for the nine-month period to Sept. 30, reversed from a net loss of RUB 3.56 billion in the year-ago period. Nine-month revenue reached RUB309.51 billion, up 30.8% year-over-year (YOY). Operating profit more than doubled to RUB36.81 billion for the period.
LinkFaulty Component, Crew Response Factors In AirAsia CrashChronic problems with a faulty rudder system and the way pilots tried to respond were among a string of factors contributing to the crash of an Indonesia AirAsia jet last year that killed all 162 on board. The Airbus A320 crashed into the Java Sea on December 28, less than halfway into a two-hour flight from Indonesia's second-biggest city of Surabaya to Singapore.
LinkUnion members approve new contract with American AirlinesPassenger service employees voted to approve a five-year contract with American Airlines Group. The 14,500 workers are jointly represented by the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. "Our passenger service employees have played a critical role in the integration of our airline and we rely on them to give our customers the best service in the industry," said Kerry Philipovitch, a senior vice president at American. "This agreement is a huge step in making us truly one combined team."
LinkHawaiian to fly to another airport in TokyoHawaiian Airlines plans to fly to a second airport in Tokyo starting in July. The carrier currently offers flights from Honolulu to Tokyo Haneda, and will add flights from Honolulu to Tokyo Narita. "With average load factors routinely exceeding 90%, it is clear Japanese travelers have chosen Hawaiian as their carrier of choice when visiting our beautiful islands," said Mark Dunkerley, president and CEO of Hawaiian.
LinkJetBlue turns to A-listers for short filmBrands such as Johnnie Walker, Moët & Chandon, Canada Goose, American Girl and JetBlue are using long-form video content starring or directed by A-list celebrities. "There's lots and lots of talk at the moment of things being shorter and of attention spans dying that has led to the Vine-able, Instagram-able, GIF-able world ... But people are willing to engage with long-form content if the content is compelling enough," said Simon Owen from Anomaly, Johnnie Walker's creative shop.
LinkAir France-KLM’s low-cost arm Transavia to open Munich baseAir France-KLM has confirmed its low-cost carrier (LCC) Transavia will open a new European base in Munich from March 2016. It will base four Boeing 737-800s in the Bavarian capital, operating to 18 destinations and 101 weekly flights during the summer 2016 season. According to a joint press release from Munich Airport and Air France-KLM, Transavia will be the first LCC to establish a base in Munich. “Flights will be mainly operated by German crews based on site, creating 120 additional jobs at Transavia alone,” CEO Mattijs ten Brink said.
LinkTAM's first A350 makes maiden flightTAM's first Airbus A350-900 has operated its maiden flight from Toulouse, ahead of its delivery to the airline later this month. The aircraft will undergo the final production phase, which involves further ground checks and flight tests, says Airbus.
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