NewsSouthwest keeps steady outlook for Atlanta airportSouthwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly says the airline has no plans to "be big for big's sake," noting the carrier is content with it presence as the No. 2 airline at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Southwest has 125 departures each day from the airport.
LinkJetBlue grows RPMs, capacity in JuneJetBlue Airways' revenue passenger miles were up 3.2% in June, with a total of 4 billion RPMs. Capacity increased by 4% for the month.
LinkSouthwest, Air Canada help San Antonio airport set May traffic recordThe airlines operating at San Antonio International Airport have released May traffic data and the Alamo City’s ascent in record passenger activity shows no signs of slowing.
LinkWrigley Field facilities bear American Airlines' nameAmerican Airlines' name graces the new front-office conference center at Wrigley Field in Chicago, part of the airline's sponsorship of the World Series champion Chicago Cubs. In addition, the American Airlines 1914 Club will open at the stadium next year.
LinkAlaska Airlines, Southwest give kids insight on airport operationsSouthwest Airlines ground crews provided young summer campers a first-hand look at operations in California's Hollywood Burbank Airport operations. Alaska Airlines showed the campers luggage-screening technology.
LinkEasyJet opts to obtain Austrian AOCUK budget carrier EasyJet has opted to obtain an air operator's certificate and operating licence from Austrian regulators in order to protect its European route rights. The carrier is to establish a new division – designated EasyJet Europe – which will have its headquarters in Vienna.
LinkAAPA highlights government role in infrastructure planningThe Association of Asia Pacific Airlines has highlighted the important role of governments in ensuring that a country has sufficient aviation infrastructure to meet the expected passenger traffic growth.
LinkDowty to build new headquarters in GloucesterGeneral Electric has decided to build a new facility for UK subsidiary Dowty Propellers in Gloucester. The US manufacturer says it will additionally invest around £10 million ($13 million) in a technology project, to be pursued jointly by Dowty and UK-based partners, aimed at developing future propulsion technology.
LinkUK industry needs Brexit clarity Brexit means Brexit, UK prime minister Theresa May infamously explained. What Brexit means for aviation and aerospace is far from certain. What we know is that, following the June 2016 referendum and the triggering of Article 50, in less than 90 weeks’ time the UK will no longer be a member of the EU. Without a deal between London and Brussels, that could mean a departure from the open skies agreement that allows UK-based airlines and their passengers to fly anywhere within the bloc.
LinkEtihad says American codeshare decision is ‘anti-competitive’Etihad Airways says it is “disappointed” by American Airlines’ decision to terminate its codeshare relationship and views it as “anti-competitive and anti-consumer.” American Airlines announced July 12 that it notified Abu Dhabi-based Etihad and fellow oneworld alliance member Qatar Airways at the end of June that the codeshare arrangements with each carrier would end in March 2018. American said its decision was made as a protest against what it alleges to be government subsidies of the major Gulf carriers.
LinkIran Air appoints first female CEOOutgoing Iran Air chairman and MD Farhad Parvaresh has confirmed to ATW that Farzaneh Shrafbafi will become the first female CEO of the Iranian flag carrier. “Mrs. Shrafbafi is the first lady who will guide Iran Air. She is now head of the company and the assignment as CEO will be done in a month after formalities,” Parvaresh told ATW.
LinkPilot groups decry BA use of Qatar aircraft during strikePilot representatives from the European Cockpit Association (ECA) and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) have voiced concerns about British Airways’ (BA) use of aircraft and crews from Qatar Airways to fill gaps in BA’s schedule caused by a long-running industrial dispute at the UK national carrier. Since late 2016, BA has been embroiled with some of its cabin crew in a row over pay and, recently, allegations of sanctions against strikers.
LinkLondon Heathrow runway process delayed yet againA further delay in providing a third runway at London Heathrow Airport has been discovered, because of a quirk of UK parliamentary procedure. The government’s draft Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which includes plans for the third runway, was subject to scrutiny by the UK parliament’s Transport Select Committee in the spring of 2017. The committee’s report has to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport and parliament as part of the legislative process. That was expected to happen later this year.
LinkReports: Air Zimbabwe cuts half its workforceAir Zimbabwe, the national carrier of the southern African nation, has reportedly made almost half of its 400-plus staff redundant as it battles chronic financial problems. The Zimbabwe flag carrier has been in a perilous position for years, with debts estimated at $330 million. Its fleet has shrunk to just a few aircraft. The Harare-headquartered airline has also been banned from operating to the European Union because of safety concerns, although it gave up its sole route to the continent, from the Zimbabwean capital Harare to London some time ago.
LinkRussia’s Nordwind Airlines expands fleet with two A330sRussia’s Nordwind Airlines has taken delivery its first two A330s, which it plans to operate on domestic long-haul routes, connecting the capital with Siberian regions and Far East. Nordwind, which launched operations in 2008, initially performed charter flights but later began scheduled services.
LinkKLM seeks better simulator utilizationDutch national carrier KLM is to improve the utilization of its flight simulator capacity at its Amsterdam base. The airline has eight simulators, which can provide around 15,000 training sessions a year. To make best possible use of the simulators, KLM needs to minimize unused time, identify any extra capacity that can be rented out to other airlines if not needed by KLM, and improve the management of machine maintenance. Most maintenance is undertaken overnight.
LinkUS, Singapore advance mutual surveillance of certified repair stationsFAA and the Civilian Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) signed a maintenance agreement guidance (MAG) document July 12 to implement mutual surveillance of certified repair stations located abroad for each of the agreement partners. The MAG agreement follows up on the two agencies’ maintenance implementation procedures (MIP) agreement signed by FAA administrator Michael Huerta and CAAS in February 2016.
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