NewsAnalysis: JetBlue could again surpass analysts' expectationsThis analysis anticipates that JetBlue AirWays' financial performance for the second quarter will beat analysts' estimates. JetBlue has surpassed expectations in three of the previous four quarters.
LinkBarbados welcomes JetBlue Mint serviceBarbados is welcoming the launch of JetBlue AirWays' Mint service on US flights to the island. "I think the relationship with JetBlue is truly an important one. [In] 2017 I think there will be 190,000 seats coming into Barbados from four different gateways. This is remarkable," said Tourism Minister Richard Sealy.
LinkHouston to get a glimpse of Southwest's Shark Week-themed planeSouthwest Airlines is taking a bite out of Houston's skies. It's Shark Week-themed 737-700 plane will be in Houston Friday. Plane spotters will have three opportunities to see it arriving and departing at Hobby Airport.
LinkJetBlue plans new terminal at New York JFKJetBlue Airways is seeking a developer for a new terminal at New York JFK airport as the carrier targets expansion of its international facilities there. New York-based JetBlue has released a request for qualifications (RFQ) to developers. The terminal would be built in phases on the site of the former Terminal 6 and possibly the existing Terminal 7 at JFK, says the airline.
LinkAirline safety record continues to improveThis year’s first six months have again smashed the record for safe airline performance worldwide. What other commercial transport mode can claim that in the first half of 2017 – globally – there have been only six fatal accidents, and the total death toll was 16?
LinkTraining aircraft struck bat, not drone: inquiryAustralian investigators have concluded that a light training aircraft collided with fruit bat, rather than a drone, during an approach to Parafield airport. The Socata TB10 sustained damage to its starboard wing in the 11 July collision, which was initially suspected to have involved an unmanned aerial vehicle.
LinkIran confirms new details about Saba-248 helicopterAfter unveiling the Saba-248 light-twin helicopter in March, Iranian industry officials revealed new details about the programme’s schedule, supply chain and performance on 18 July at the MAKS air show in July.
LinkDassault delivers 2,500th Falcon business jetDassault Aviation has delivered the 2,500th Falcon business jet, 52 years after the first member of the high-end twin- and tri-engined aircraft family was introduced. The milestone model, a 900LX trijet, was handed over at Dassault’s US completion centre in Little Rock, Arkansas in late June to a long-time Falcon customer.
LinkGulfstream delivers milestone G550Gulfstream has delivered its 550th G550, to an undisclosed customer, 14 years after the large-cabin business jet was introduced. Company president Mark Burns says the milestone “affirms the continued demand for the G550, as one of the most dependable and sought-after aircraft in the world today”.
LinkKC-390 wraps world tourEmbraer’s KC-390 wrapped its 40-day demonstration tour this week after stops in 18 countries throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. The Brazilian transport tanker made its flight display debut at the Paris air show this June and went on to a series of flight demonstrations before returning to Brazil. The KC-390 covered 49,537nm during its trip, demonstrating high temperature and high altitude take-offs, low-level navigation and simulated operational conditions, such as paratroopers dropping, a 21 July Embraer release states.
LinkWill Franco-German fighter be a winner?Only a month ago, the suggestion of fierce fighter manufacturing rivals France and Germany joining formation to develop a successor to the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon felt like industry kite-flying. All that has changed, though, with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel having affirmed their intention for the nations to work together on a range of defence programs, with a next-generation fighter among them.
LinkUK government calls for views on post-Brexit aviation strategyThe UK government is to develop a new aviation strategy for the next three decades to 2050 and beyond, as the country prepares to exit the European Union (EU) (Brexit). “Aviation is central to our future prosperity as we leave the EU. As a global, trading nation we want to build on the great industry we have today and create opportunities for people up and down the country,” transport secretary Chris Grayling said.
LinkAviation experts identify industry’s biggest safety challengesNational Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) acting chairman Robert Sumwalt said complacency is the biggest threat to safety the aviation industry. Speaking on a panel at the Air Line Pilots Association International Air Safety Forum July 20, Sumwalt said the issue is on the minds of NTSB investigators while conducting crash probes.
LinkEasyJet posts strong 3Q results, raises FY2017 profit outlook UK-based low-cost carrier (LCC) easyJet reported a strong balance sheet with net cash of £426 million ($553 million) as of June 30. As a result, easyJet raised its profit guidance and expects its pretax headline profit for the full-year to reach £380–£420 million, compared with the £365 million analysts predicted. However, the LCC warned low fuel prices would allow capacity to stay in the market, maintaining pressure on yields into the next financial year.
LinkAlitalia works on next steps after proposal deadline passesThe deadline for proposals for the future of troubled Italian carrier Alitalia has passed and the airline’s administrators are regrouping to confirm the next steps. Last month, Alitalia’s administrators said they received 32 expressions of interest. One of these came from Ryanair, which clarified it was not interested in buying Alitalia, but would be interested in feeding the Italian carrier’s long-haul traffic. EasyJet was also among the 32.
LinkMexico’s Volaris reports $29 million 2Q net lossMexico City-based ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Volaris reported a MXN519.9 million ($29 million) net loss for the 2017 second quarter, reversed from the airline’s MXN935 million net profit in 2Q 2016. “We continued to face challenging international market conditions, although [we are] sequentially improving,” Volaris CEO Enrique Beltranena said. Volaris’ second-quarter net loss was less than half of the company’s MXN1.4 billion net loss in the 2017 March quarter.
LinkTaiwanese carrier Mandarin further bolsters ATR fleetTaiwan’s Mandarin Airlines, which announced July 19 it was buying six ATR 72-600s, has signed a conditional letter of intent to lease three more of the Franco-Italian turboprops. Mandarin is acquiring the further three aircraft from lessor Avation, with delivery from October to December this year. The ATR direct-sourced aircraft, which were ordered earlier this week, will be delivered from 2018-2020.
LinkAirberlin to lease two Airbus A330-900neosGermany-based airberlin has confirmed to ATW it will lease two Airbus A330-900neos, but has not disclosed the lessor. An airberlin spokesperson told ATW, “The contract will be a so-called lease-in from a leasing company. The final delivery date depends on the delivery schedule from Airbus.”
LinkDelta to launch fourth US-Shanghai routeDelta Air Lines will introduce a new direct daily route between Atlanta and Shanghai, China in July 2018, the Atlanta-based carrier said July 19, pending government approvals. It will be Delta’s fourth US-Shanghai route, in addition to existing service from Detroit, Seattle and Los Angeles.
LinkPhilippine Airlines takes first Bombardier Q400Philippine Airlines (PAL) has taken delivery of its first dual-class, 86-seat Bombardier Q400 in Toronto, Canada. PAL president and COO Jaime Bautista said the new Q400 aircraft “will enable Philippine Airlines to increase its competitiveness and set a new standard for turboprops in the region.”
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