AirlinesAlaska Air Group flew more passengers in 2015Alaska Air Group, the parent company of Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines, transported 8.9% more passengers in 2015 compared to the previous year. Alaska Air Group flew nearly 32 million passengers, although load factor on its planes dropped by 1% on a year-over-year basis.
LinkAmerican, Qantas to add more trans-Pacific routesAmerican Airlines and Qantas are looking to debut new trans-Pacific routes through their joint venture in the next five years. The carriers said "optimal strategy is to collaborate, innovate and integrate their networks to generate as much traffic as possible on joint business routes."
LinkAmerican Airlines offers Cincinnati-NYC serviceFor the first time at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Delta Air Lines has direct competition on one of its most popular routes: service to LaGuardia in New York City. American Airlines launched its first flight to the northern Big Apple airport Tuesday afternoon on a 69-seat Embraer E-170 jet that officials tout as being more business friendly – but, more importantly, they said, it's an indicator of future growth by a legacy carrier at CVG, considered a rarity as low-cost carriers continue to dominate the local news.
LinkAurora Airline receives first Bombardier Q400Aeroflot subsidiary Aurora Airline took delivery of its first of three Bombardier Q400 aircraft on Dec. 31, 2015. The next two of the type will be delivered in the first half of 2016, the carrier said in a statement. Aurora CEO Konstantin Sukhorebrik said, “We already have an experience of operating Bombardier aircraft of lower capacity at the regional flights. These are the most efficient aircraft for our purposes. I am sure we will open up the new type soon.”
LinkKan Air looks to lease regional jetsThailand-based regional carrier Kannithi Aviation (Kan Air) is looking to expand its fleet with either Airbus A320 or Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) aircraft. The carrier has been in talks with SSJ100 manufacturer United Aircraft Corp., parent of Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co., and lessor GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) to lease single-aisle regional jets—either three SSJ100s or two A320s.
LinkKenya Hopes For Direct US Flights By MayKenya hopes to start direct commercial flights to the United States by May after it met most of the requirements set by ICAO. The East African nation wants to boost exports to the US and increase visits by American tourists. Launching flights was part of a package of deals announced during President Barack Obama's visit to Kenya last July.
LinkMalaysia Air Resumes Checked Baggage On Europe RoutesMalaysia Airlines resumed normal check-in baggage allowances on all its flights on Wednesday after banning it temporarily due to strong head winds on the longer routes it was taking for safety reasons. The airline said it has recently had to operate a longer route to Europe, which combined with strong head winds, limited the airline's ability to carry baggage and cargo.
LinkNew Spirit chief refuels Frontier merger rumoursThe surprise departure of ultra low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines chief executive Ben Baldanza follows a year where the airline's stock lost its shine, as investors worry that Spirit's once-revered moat is rapidly being encroached upon by its rivals. The replacement of Baldanza with 35-year airline veteran Robert Fornaro refuels speculation that Spirit is setting up for a merger with Frontier - a possibility that both carriers have so far denied.
LinkSpring Airlines Japan to receive capital injectionSpring Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary (LCC) Spring Japan will receive a capital injection of JPY18 billion ($151 million) from Japanese companies, according to Spring Japan CEO Wang Wei. Shanghai-based Spring Airlines holds a 33% stake in Narita-based Spring Japan—complying with Japanese law limiting foreign investors to one-third ownership—while other Japanese companies hold the rest. The Japanese businesses that will inject capital into the LCC include a Japan real estate company and consumer electronics retailer Bic Camera.
LinkThailand Expects Record Tourist Arrivals In 2016International tourist arrivals in Thailand are expected to reach a record high in 2016, after nearly 30 million foreign visitors came to its temples, beaches and bars in 2015. Tourism boomed even after an attack at a shrine in central Bangkok shook the country and as a high profile trial for the murder of two British backpackers sullied the industry's reputation.
LinkUnited Airlines receives accolades for loyalty programGlobal Traveler magazine honored United Airlines by naming the carrier's MileagePlus program as the best airline loyalty program. "The 2015 Global Traveler awards, voted on by savvy travelers worldwide, recognize our ongoing commitment to advancing United's service to our customers," said Thomas O'Toole, president of MileagePlus.
LinkUTair completes debt portfolio refinancingRussia’s UTair Airline announced it completed the refinancing of its debt portfolio on Dec. 30, 2015. “The transaction is structured as two syndicated loans with an aggregate value of RUB42.6 billion ($628 million) and two bond issues with a total nominal value of about RUB13.3 billion ($181 million) maturing in seven and 12 years, respectively, UTair’s advisor law firm Akin Gump said in a statement. "The seven-year syndicated loan is guaranteed by the government of the Russian Federation for 50% of the loan amount, alongside a syndicate of 11 banks, with Sberbank the lead arranger and agent and collateral manager.”
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