NewsSouthwest launches seasonal routes from Charleston, S.C.Southwest Airlines is starting seasonal services from Charleston, S.C., to Denver, St. Louis and Nashville, Tenn.
LinkJetBlue plans more daily flights to Mexico CityThis fall, JetBlue Airways will add daily round trips from Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Mexico City. JetBlue commenced its Mexico City service in 2015.
LinkHawaiian Airlines offers premium cabin on all San Francisco flightsHawaiian Airlines will feature its premium cabin on all San Francisco routes, the latest announcement following the unveiling of its new livery. The premium cabin includes lie-flat seats and a privacy screen.
LinkUS airlines lead industry in baggage tracking performanceOver the past decade the percentage of mishandled luggage has plummeted by 70% thanks to advances in tracking technology. "All American airlines have employed an element of tracking throughout their services, and you can see that that's had a really good effect on the mishandling rate, which in the US is much lower than the global average," said Peter Drummond of SITA.
LinkLeonardo proposes AW101 conversion for Cormorant modernisationLeonardo and IMP Aerospace & Defence (IMP) are teaming up to convert AW101-519 helicopters to support the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) CH-149 Cormorant Search and Rescue (SAR) modernisation programme, Leonardo announced 29 May.
LinkSikorsky HH-60W reaches critical design reviewThe US Air Force’s Combat Rescue Helicopter programme reached critical design review, giving the Sikorsky HH-60W the green light for assembly, test and evaluation. Sikorsky, which reached CDR ahead of the projected July date, will replace the USAF’s aging HH-60Gs with 112 new helicopters at a cost of $73 million per unit.
LinkUSAF developing next generation air dominance missileThe US Air Force is developing a new air-to-air missile, dubbed the Small Advanced Capabilities Missile (SACM), to fly on its aircraft in the 2030s. The Air Force Research Laboratory is looking to develop and demonstrate various system and sub-system critical technologies to support the next generation air dominance missile, according to slides released this April from AFRL.
LinkIAG shares fall as BA schedules recover from IT failureShares in British Airways parent IAG fell 4% in early trading on the London Stock Exchange this morning, the first day the UK markets had opened since the UK carrier's services were wrecked by its IT systems failure on 27 May.
LinkThai's Nok stake halved to 21.6%Thai Airways' stake in low-cost carrier Nok Air has dropped to just 21.57%, following its decision to not invest in new Nok shares. Thai, however, remains as its single largest shareholder, according to Nok in a stock exchange filing listing its 10 largest shareholders.
LinkBeluga XL cockpit section delivered to AirbusAirbus has taken delivery of the nose section for its first A330-700 Beluga XL transport aircraft. The nose and cockpit have been constructed by Stelia Aerospace at a French facility in Meaulte.
LinkAfter six years, 777X engine starts certification testsGE Aviation has spent six years designing, testing and tweaking the engine now officially dubbed the GE9X-105B1 for Boeing’s 777X family. Two years were spent maturing the technology at the component level while fighting off a competing bid from the Rolls-Royce RB3025 to re-engine the widebody twinjet.
LinkThe bigger questions of British Airways’ IT meltdownAs with all disasters, natural or man-made, there comes a time for mopping up, analysis and self- examination. What was learned? How can this be avoided again? That’s where British Airways sits now, as schedules return to normal after the IT meltdown that essentially shut down its London Heathrow and Gatwick operations over the weekend.
LinkTurkish Airlines launches major Middle East initiativeTurkish Airlines, already a substantial player in the Middle East market, is launching a new wave of routes into the region. For some time, the Turkish flag carrier has had ambitions to rival the “Middle East 3” (ME3) trio of Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways. Turkish is expanding rapidly, notably in Africa, where the Istanbul-based carrier is on record as saying it aims to become the dominant airline on the continent.
LinkRyanair full-year net profit up 6%Irish low-cost carrier (LCC) Ryanair reported a full-year net profit of €1.3 billion ($1.5 billion), up 6% from a €1.2 billion net profit in the year-ago period. The airline said the 20% margin for the full year ended March 31 was achieved through the third year of its latest turnaround strategy, even after a 13% cut in average fares.
LinkAllegiant COO Jude Bricker resignsUltra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Allegiant Air EVP and COO Jude Bricker resigned May 26, the Las Vegas-based carrier announced without further explanation. Allegiant EVP and CFO Scott Sheldon will act as interim COO until a successor is announced, the company said. “Though I’ve made a difficult decision to leave Allegiant, I see a company with a future as bright as it was when I first joined them,” Bricker said in a statement. “I’m honored to have been at the forefront of building the Allegiant model.”
LinkPichler appointed Royal Jordanian CEORoyal Jordanian Airlines has appointed Stefan Pichler as president and CEO from June, the airline announced May 28. Pichler, former CEO of airberlin, succeeds Suleiman Obeidat. RJ has had a succession of CEOs in recent years.
LinkWestJet names new Encore presidentCalgary-based low-cost carrier WestJet has named Charles Duncan as the new head of WestJet Encore, WestJet’s regional airline, effective June 6, pending immigration approval. Duncan is former United Airlines SVP-technical operations. During his 20-year career in aviation, Duncan has held a number of positions with United, including VP-Chicago O’Hare hub, and VP-Europe, Middle East, Africa and India, and president and COO-Continental Micronesia for Continental Airlines.
LinkNAV Canada rate decrease to be extendedNAV Canada said it plans to extend the 3.9% base-rate decrease implemented in September 2016 that was set to expire in August 2017. The independent, non-profit entity that manages and operates Canada’s air traffic control system also plans to provide users a one-time collective refund totaling C$60 million ($44.6 million). The benefits of the extended rate decrease and one-time refund will mostly be enjoyed by airlines.
LinkAegean Airlines widens net loss in 1Q Greece-based Aegean Airlines reported a 2017 first-quarter net loss of €35.8 million ($38.4 million), widened from a net loss of €21.5 million for the year-ago quarter. Revenue for the quarter was €151.9 million, up 3% year-over-year (YOY).
LinkAir China launches express service to Frankfurt Air China has partnered with Beijing and Frankfurt airports to develop a new express route between China and Europe, called Easy Way Beijing-Frankfurt, in an effort to enhance its international competitiveness. The Beijing-based carrier signed a memorandum of understanding with Beijing Capital Airport and Frankfurt Airport for the Easy Way Beijing-Frankfurt cooperation in September 2016.
LinkEgyptAir receives fourth Boeing 737-800 EgyptAir has taken delivery the fourth of nine Boeing 737-800 NGs, as part of a fleet modernization plan and expansion strategy. The Egyptian flag carrier and Star Alliance member said delivery of the ninth aircraft will be finalized by later this year, giving the entire 737-800 fleet an approximate age of six years.
LinkRussia sees 21% increase in passenger traffic Russian airlines carried 27.1 million passengers from January-April 2017, up 20.8% year-over-year (YOY). International traffic grew 32.5% to 10.4 million; domestic traffic was up 14.6% to 16.8 million. Load factor increased 2.9 points YOY to 79.4%. Cargo and post traffic grew 23% YOY to 345,463 tonnes.
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