NewsUnited to expand operations, use larger aircraftUnited Airlines is adding more flights from San Francisco to at least 10 markets and will use new, larger mainline aircraft on the routes. "These additional flights and larger aircraft to new cities and those already part of our network will offer customers even more convenient flight options and easy connections to popular destinations around the United States and Canada," said Mike Hanna, vice president of United's operations at San Francisco International Airport.
LinkEmbraer E190-E2 could salvage relationship with JetBlueThe cost of operating Embraer E190 aircraft has prompted a review by JetBlue Airways, as American Airlines prepares to retire its last E190 in two years due to expensive maintenance. But the lower operating cost of the Embraer E190-E2 could help the aircraft company keep JetBlue's business.
LinkUnited Airlines sees boost in April trafficUnited Airlines reported a 7.4% increase in revenue passenger miles for April as capacity rose 4%.
LinkAlaska Airlines keeps bee supply to Alaska flyingAlaska Airlines says it is not banning the shipment of bees. Bobbie Egan, media relations director for the company issued the following statement on Monday: "Alaska Airlines and Alaska Air Cargo have NOT banned shipments of bees. We’ve supported bee movements to Alaska for years, shipping on average 24,000 pounds of bees a year. Just yesterday we moved three shipments of bees and three more went out today, with several more shipments planned before the season ends.
LinkSyracuse, N.Y., airport adds "pet relief room"New York's Syracuse Hancock International Airport on Monday opened a new indoor "Pet Relief Room," which features a grassy area and a place to dispose of pet waste.
LinkJetBlue adds Coolhaus ice cream to Mint menuStarting in May, premium flyers can enjoy scoops of the ice cream shop’s top flavors
JetBlue is adding more sweets to its dessert lineup for Mint customers with the addition of the best-selling ice cream flavors from Los Angeles-based shop, Coolhaus.
LinkSpirit wins restraining order against pilots unionA US court has granted Spirit Airlines' request for a temporary restraining order against its pilots union, preventing the group from taking any action that will interfere with the airline's operations. The order comes after Spirit cancelled more than 300 flights during the past week, which it blames on an intentional "work slowdown" organised by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which is in contract negotiations with the carrier.
LinkIndiGo tentatively signs for 50 ATRsIndian operator IndiGo has tentatively signed for 50 ATR 72-600 turboprops as part of a programme to enhance regional connections. Deliveries of the aircraft are set to begin by the end of this year.
LinkDa Nang opens new international terminalDa Nang International Airport has opened its new international terminal, with Vietnam Airlines to commence operations there. Vietnam Airlines will use the new terminal for all arriving and departing international flights from Tuesday 9 May, says the SkyTeam carrier in a statement.
LinkAirbus's US plant begins producing first A320Airbus has commenced production of the first A320 at its US final assembly line in Alabama. It states that the twinjet will eventually be bound for budget carrier Spirit Airlines.
LinkMajor investor calls to remove Bombardier chairmanQuebec’s pension fund manager has called for replacing Pierre Beaudoin as executive chairman of Bombardier with an independent director and voted against a controversial plan for executive compensation. The move by Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CPDQ), which invested $1.5 billion in Bombardier’s rail division in November 2015, stirs more controversy as the aircraft manufacturer prepares to host its annual general meeting of shareholders on 11 May.
LinkAirbus demonstrates automated refueling with F-16Airbus has demonstrated the ability to perform an automated air-to-air refueling of a combat aircraft by an airborne tanker with a refueling boom, the company announces on 9 May. With the refueling boom set on automatic mode, an Airbus Defence and Space A310 flying testbed made six contacts with a Portuguese Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16 flying at 270kt and 25,000ft over the Atlantic Ocean on 21 March during a 1h15min test period.
LinkLeonardo partners with RAF for third-generation countermeasuresLeonardo is to work with the UK Royal Air Force to jointly invest in a programme to develop a third-generation electronic countermeasures system for deployment on the RAF fighter fleet. The effort is being conducted by the service's new rapid capability office, with Leonardo the first company to sign up as a partner.
LinkCargolux and Emirates SkyCargo ink MOULuxembourg all-freight operator Cargolux and Dubai-based Emirates SkyCargo have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), paving the way for a strategic cargo partnership.
LinkNorwegian pushes ahead in ArgentinaLow-cost carrier Norwegian has secured board approval on plans to launch Latin American startup Norwegian Air Argentina. Norwegian established an Argentinian subsidiary in January 2017 and has submitted an air operator’s certificate (AOC) application to the government.
LinkAmerican raises 2Q unit revenue guidanceAmerican Airlines has boosted its second-quarter unit revenue forecast after a strong traffic performance in April. The Dallas/Fort Worth-based carrier reported consolidated traffic of 18.6 billion RPMs in April, up 3.1% over April 2016. Capacity for the month was up just 0.8% year-over-year (YOY) to 22.6 billion ASMs and load factor was 82.2%, up 1.8 points.
LinkThai Airways recertified to international standards Thai Airways’ air operator’s certificate (AOC) has been recertified after a 2015 ICAO audit of Thailand found significant concerns with the country’s safety oversight.
Following the 2015 audit, Thailand brought UK CAA consultancy unit CAA International (CAAi) onboard in 2016 to help strengthen the local CAA’s safety oversight, ICAO compliance and to recertify its airlines.
LinkAvolon predicts China will need 3,200 new aircraft by 2026China’s booming air travel market will require 3,200 new airliners over the coming decade, with more than 50% still to be ordered, according to a new study released by lessor Avolon.
LinkAerCap 1Q net profit up 17% Ireland-based lessor AerCap reported net income of $261.2 million for 1Q 2017, up 17% compared with $223.1 million for the same period in 2016. The improved figure was achieved on revenue of $1.24 billion, down 6% compared with $1.32 billion in the year-ago quarter.
LinkKuwait breaks ground on new airportThe Gulf state of Kuwait has begun heavy construction work on its new airport, designed to ease serious overcrowding problems. The existing Kuwait international Airport, the emirate’s sole civil aviation facility, has an annual design capacity of 6 million passengers, but last year handled 12 million. Over the past decade, passenger throughput has increased 10% annually.
LinkUnited Airlines boosts US services from San FranciscoUnited Airlines will increase flights between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and eight US destinations. The new services include SFO to Seattle (10X daily-A320) from Aug. 1; Albuquerque (2X-daily-E175) from Aug. 15; Baltimore (2Xdaily A319) from Aug. 15; Indianapolis (2X-daily-A319) from Aug. 15; Kansas City (3X-daily-E175) from Aug. 15; Nashville (2X-daily A319) from Aug. 15; Philadelphia (3X-daily-A319); and Portland, Oregon (9X-daily A319).
Link 
