AirlinesAir Canada designs IFE solution for blind passengersAir Canada has pledged to make its in-flight entertainment system accessible for blind passengers. The carrier designed a template that will fit over the touchscreen system for visually impaired users.
LinkAir France: Cabin crew strike cost more than $100 millionAir France estimates the week-long cabin crew strike, which ended Aug. 2, will cost the company more than €90 million ($100.7 million). The airline said it had to cancel nearly 1,400 flights during the seven-day strike, affecting 180,000 customers. Over the course of the week, Air France managed to operate more than 80% of its short- and medium-haul services and more than 90% of long-haul flights. Services returned to normal Aug. 3, although the airline warned of possible last-minute disruptions because of knock-on effects of the dispute.
LinkAlaska to add 2 destinations from SeattleAlaska Airlines plans to add service from Seattle to two new destinations in 2017. "With the addition of nonstop service to Indianapolis and Wichita, Alaska Airlines now offers nonstop service to a total of 89 cities from Seattle -- more than twice as many as any other airline," said John Kirby, vice president of capacity planning at the carrier.
LinkCopa Holdings reports $55 million 2Q net profit Panama City-based Copa Holdings posted net income of $54.5 million for the 2016 second quarter, down 14.9% from a net income of $64.1 million in the year-ago quarter. Copa Holdings—the parent company of Panama’s Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia—said the second-quarter results reflect “a low-yield environment, mainly driven by the continued economic weakness in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.”
LinkEmirates crash: First report expected within a monthThe United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) will produce a preliminary report into the Aug. 3 crash of an Emirates Airline Boeing 777-300 at Dubai International Airport within a month, the regulator said Aug. 4. The widebody jet burst into flames as it crash landed in Dubai following a flight from Trivandrum International Airport, southern India. All 282 passengers and 18 crew escaped unharmed, although one firefighter was killed while dousing the blaze. The aircraft was destroyed.
LinkEmirates still recovering from post-crash Dubai disruptionEmirates is still recovering its schedule following severe disruption at Dubai caused by the accident involving one of the carrier’s Boeing 777s. Fifty Emirates services were either cancelled or diverted following the 3 August accident, affecting some 23,000 passengers, as Dubai was closed for 6h.
LinkHainan Airlines acquires 23.7% stake in Brazil’s AzulHNA Group subsidiary Hainan Airlines has completed a deal for a 23.7% stake in Brazil’s Azul Airlines, with a $450 million investment. Haikou, China-based Hainan is also expected to appoint three members to Azul’s board. According to a company statement, both carriers will also cooperate to develop a global networking synergy in the fields of codesharing, new route development, frequent flyer program, marketing programs and cargo.
LinkSouthwest to launch Houston-Omaha route in 2017Southwest Airlines plans to launch service from Hobby Airport in Houston to Omaha, Neb., next year. The carrier will deploy a Boeing 737 for the daily flight.
LinkUnited simplifies MileagePlus awards programUnited Airlines is simplifying its MileagePlus awards program, pricing awards based on one-way travel with the ability to combine one-way awards in the case of round-trip fares and multi-destination travel.
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