AirlinesAir Arabia sees profits rise despite yield pressure Sharjah, UAE-based low-cost carrier (LCC) Air Arabia recorded a first-half net profit of AED245 million ($66.7 million), up 3.5% compared to the same period last year. The profit figure was achieved on turnover of AED1.84 billion, up 5.5% from last time’s figure of AED 1.75 billion. The carrier experienced robust growth in passenger demand, with the 4.1 million passengers flown, representing a 14% rise on the corresponding period last year. Load factor was 79%.
LinkAtlas Air starts Amazon-dedicated freighter flightsA Boeing 767-300 converted freighter flight from Seattle to Wilmington, Ohio marked the inauguration of Amazon-dedicated air cargo service being provided on a contract basis by Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings. Seattle-based online retail company Amazon in May reached an agreement with Purchase, New York-based Atlas Air to wet lease 20 767-300 converted freighters, the second freighter lease deal it signed this year.
LinkEasyJet incident highlights 'open descent' mode riskUK investigators have reiterated the need to understand aircraft behaviour in various modes after the stall-protection system intervened on an EasyJet Airbus A320 during a visual approach to Paphos. It had been conducting a left-hand circuit to runway 29, following a service from London Luton on 7 January last year.
LinkJetBlue flight turbulence sends 24 to hospitalA JetBlue Airways Airbus A320 diverted to a South Dakota airport on Aug. 11 after experiencing serious turbulence, and 24 passengers and crew were taken to a local hospital. The A320, operating as JetBlue flight 429, was en route from Boston to Sacramento, California when the turbulence occurred, and the pilots considered it serious enough to divert to Rapid City, South Dakota, where it landed at approximately 1930 local time.
LinkATSB looks into Jetstar 787 engine shut-down incidentThe Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating an engine shut down incident involving a Jetstar Airways Boeing 787-8 on 7 August. The aircraft was about 370km north of Guam when the flight crew received a low oil quantity and pressure warnings from the right hand engine during cruise. The engine was shut down and the crew diverted the jet to Guam International airport. There were no injuries and the aircraft was not damaged.
LinkLATAM Airlines Group posts $92 million 2Q net lossSantiago, Chile-based LATAM Airlines Group reported a $92.1 million net loss for the 2016 second quarter, deepened from the group’s $49.7 million net loss in 2Q 2015.
Revenues for the South American airline group—which comprises LATAM Airlines and its affiliates in Peru, Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador, LATAM Cargo, TAM S.A. and its affiliates in Brazil and Paraguay, plus loyalty-program company Multiplus S.A.—fell 12.5% year-over-year (YOY) to $2.11 billion.
LinkPrime Air One makes first cargo runAtlas Air Worldwide has completed its first Prime Air cargo flight, landing at Wilmington Air Park in Ohio this past week. Amazon has converted 20 Boeing 767-300 aircraft to expand its cargo fleet.
LinkSpirit Airlines makes executive changesFlorida-based ultra low-cost carrier (LCC) Spirit Airlines is making a number of executive changes at the carrier, as new CEO Robert Fornaro settles into his job. The carrier has named Rocky Wiggins as its chief information officer. Wiggins previously held the same job at AirTran Airways.
LinkSouthwest wants to be first in line for Mexico City slotsSouthwest Airlines wants to be first in line for slot divestitures by Volaris and American Airlines at Mexico City International Airport.
LinkUnited says Newark-San Jose flight will set it apart from the crowdUnited Airlines is looking to differentiate itself from the competition with its new service connecting Newark to San Jose. "We have 18 a day from Newark to San Francisco," said United's Brian Znotins. "Rather than add the 19th, it might make sense to differentiate."
LinkUnited uses Olympic platform to tout new Polaris business classUnited Airlines is using TV spots during the Olympic Games to create buzz about its new Polaris business class offering ahead of its launch this December.
LinkUnited F/As Accept Contract, Mechanics Reach DealFlight attendants at United Airlines have voted to ratify a new five-year contract, and the union representing maintenance technicians has reached an agreement in principle on a new contract. The flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, approved the contract after a vote that 90 percent participated in, with 53 percent voting to ratify the agreement.
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