AirlinesAirBridgeCargo renews IOSA certificate Russia’s AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) has renewed its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate for a further two years following a five-day inspection by independent auditors. According to the carrier, the three-stage audit comprises: preparation, audit and deficiencies rectification. Inspectors reviewed ABC’s flight performance, operating control, maintenance and ground handling, aviation security and quality management.
LinkAmerican Airlines will sell 'premium economy' seats on international flightsDo you want more legroom, wider seats and a handful of other amenities on your international flight — without forking over big bucks for first-class or business-class fares? If so, Fort Worth-based American Airlines Group has a deal for you. The airline will roll out its "Premium Economy" service on its international widebody fleet in late 2016, the airline said today. The new, mildly oxymoronic, class of service will be directly behind Business Class.
LinkAvianca Brazil signs codeshare pacts with Star partners Turkish, EthiopianAvianca Brazil, which joined Star Alliance in July, has inked codeshare agreements with Star members Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines. The codeshare agreement signings took place Dec. 9 on the sidelines of the Star Alliance chief executive board meeting in Chicago. Avianca Brazil CEO Jose Efromovich said the codeshare pacts are the “first of many contracts we will sign within the alliance.”
LinkChina Southern to take additional 4% stake in Xiamen AirlinesChina Southern will purchase an additional 4% stake in subsidiary Xiamen Airlines for CNY627 million ($97.7 million) to enhance the synergy between the two carriers. China Southern currently holds a 51% stake in Xiamen while Xiamen Construction & Development Co. holds 34% ownership and Jizhong Energy Group holds the remaining 15%. According to a statement released by China Southern, Jizhong Energy Group is expected to transfer its 15% stake in Xiamen Airlines to Xiamen Construction & Development Co., which would be followed by China Southern’s and Fujian Investment Co.’s purchase of 4% and 11% stakes in Xiamen Airlines, respectively, from Xiamen Construction & Development Co.
LinkHawaiian reaches tentative agreements with unionHawaiian Airlines has reached tentative deals with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Mark Dunkerley, president and CEO of Hawaiian, said the agreements "improve the standard of living for our employees while also addressing the need to improve operational efficiency for the company."
LinkLufthansa, not Qatar, to be Airbus A320neo launch operatorAirbus is making a last-minute swap and now plans to deliver the first Airbus A320neo to Lufthansa, not to Qatar Airways. According to industry sources, the change was made because of operational restrictions that are still in place for the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engine, pending some hardware and software changes. Pratt is working on hardware changes to the bearing of the engine shaft and a software update. Until those changes are made, the engine has to run in idle for 3 min. following startup. The aircraft cannot taxi under its own power until the 3 min. have elapsed.
LinkLufthansa Traffic Drops After Strike Hits DemandLufthansa said demand for its flights dropped 10.6 percent in November due to a week of strikes by cabin crew, the longest ever walkout at the airline. Demand - measured in revenue seat km - was also hurt by further strike threats at the end of the month, which were not carried out, Lufthansa said in its monthly traffic update.
LinkMalaysia seeks removal of three Boeing 747 freighters The operators of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) have placed an advertisement in Malaysia's Star newspaper, requesting the owners of three Boeing 747 freighters either claim or remove them. KLIA manager Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB) said it will "reserve the right to sell or to set off any expenses and due debt" if the owners do not claim the aircraft within 14 days.
LinkSouthwest reports higher passenger traffic for Nov.Southwest Airlines reported 13.9% growth in passenger traffic for November on a year-over-year basis. Southwest also posted a 2.1% increase in load factor for the month.
LinkSouthwest Airlines to debut Denver-Charleston route Air carriers with growing shares of passengers at Charleston International Airport continue to add new destinations. The latest is Southwest Airlines. The Dallas-based carrier will launch once-a-week, nonstop service between the Lowcountry and Denver International Airport on Saturdays starting June 11, much to the delight of skiers and others visiting the Colorado capital.
LinkUnited Brings Back Free Snacks in CoachFor the first time in a decade, United Airlines will offer free snacks to budget travelers on short routes in the Americas -- a partial reversal of efforts to cut service for passengers buying the cheapest tickets. Starting early next year, customers in economy class departing before 9:45 a.m. will get a stroopwafel, a Dutch confection filled with caramel. Fliers leaving later would get savory nibbles, such as an Asian-style or Cajun pretzel mix.
LinkUnited Airlines sets goal to improve on-time reliabilityUnited Airlines pledged to offer credits to corporate customers if the carrier does not meet on-time reliability goals. "Over the past year, we have been intensely focused on delivering a best-in-class operation, and have invested heavily in our products, our planes, and our people to accomplish that goal," United said in a statement.
LinkUnited, Lufthansa strengthen partnership with cargo agreement Lufthansa and United Airlines are to extend their current cooperation on passenger services to include cargo on routes between the US and Europe. The aim is to create “a seamless network” including alignment of IT and warehouse facilities. It will create a more efficient and comprehensive transatlantic cargo network and increase customer choice, say the carriers. The deal is subject to finalisation of commercial arrangements and EU and US regulatory approvals.
LinkUnited Stock Declines on Plans to Cancel Dubai FlightUnited stock is down by 0.81% to $57.39 in after-hours trading on Wednesday, after United Airlines announced plans to discontinue its direct flight from Washington D.C. to Dubai on January 23. The company made the decision after the General Services Administration awarded U.S. government contracts for service between Washington and Dubai to JetBlue Airways Corp. (JBLU). JetBlue's flights to Dubai are operated by Emirates Airline.
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