NewsAirberlin to cut long-haul routes following insolvencyAirberlin—which filed for bankruptcy earlier this month—will reduce long-haul routes from Berlin Tegel as bookings have dropped dramatically. “Airberlin will further stabilize its operational situation at Berlin Tegel and will cut loss-making routes this coming autumn and winter,” an airberlin spokesperson confirmed
LinkTAP and Azul studying joint ventureTAP Portugal and Brazil's Azul are working on a joint venture so the two airlines can collaborate on pricing of transatlantic flights between Europe and Brazil. "We want to get to full co-operation," TAP chief commercial officer Trey Urbahn tells FlightGlobal on the sidelines of the Boyd Group International Aviation Forecast Summit.
LinkAllegiant enters hotel business with Florida resortLas Vegas-based Allegiant Air will build a resort development in Florida's Gulf Coast, marking the ultra low-cost carrier's entry into the hotel business. The property, Sunseeker Resorts, will include a resort and up to nine condominium towers as well as restaurants, shops and a marina, developed over 20 acres of land on the waterfront. It is not immediately clear how much the airline is investing in the project.
LinkSpirit receives Airbus's first US-built A320US budget carrier Spirit Airlines has taken delivery of the first Airbus A320 to be produced by the airframer's Alabama final assembly plant in Mobile. Thirty-seven aircraft have been delivered from Mobile since the first was produced two years ago but, up until the Spirit handover, they had all been A321s.
LinkLight aircraft passed under Monarch A321 on final: probeSpanish investigators have detailed an encounter at Menorca airport in which a light aircraft flew into conflict with a Monarch Airlines Airbus A321 on final approach. The A321 (G-OZBH) had been conducting an ILS approach to runway 01, states Spanish investigation authority CIAIAC.
LinkJazeera A320 damaged during in-flight object collisionKuwaiti budget carrier Jazeera Airways has yet to confirm the nature of the object involved in a collision with one of its Airbus A320s operating from Riyadh. The aircraft had been operating flight J9787 on 27 August when, the airline says, it sustained damage to its starboard engine.
LinkQantas to base half of 787 fleet in BrisbaneQantas will base four of its upcoming Boeing 787-9s in Brisbane, complementing the four aircraft that will be based in Melbourne. The Oneworld carrier says in a statement that the four aircraft earmarked for the Brisbane base will be delivered during the second half of 2018.
LinkAmerican sees market-specific pressure on transatlanticAmerican Airlines is seeing pressure from long-haul low-cost carriers on a market-by-market basis across the Atlantic, says senior vice-president of revenue management Don Casey. Norwegian, Wow Air and other airlines are putting downward pressure on economy pricing in transatlantic markets where they operate, he says, calling the impact "material" at the Boyd International Aviation Forecast Summit in Las Vegas today.
LinkUnited yet to estimate tropical storm Harvey impactUnited Airlines has yet to forecast the financial impact from tropical storm Harvey, as the carrier's Houston hub remains closed due to flooding. "The financial impact's going to be what it's going to be," says Scott Kirby, president of United, at the Boyd International Aviation Forecast Summit in Las Vegas today.
LinkHouston airports closed due to floodingHouston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport are expected to remain closed until at least Thursday due to catastrophic flooding that has made the facilities inaccessible. Airlines serving the airports are offering waivers to allow people to postpone their travel plans.
LinkAirlines offer miles, complimentary flights for Harvey relief effortsAirlines are giving their customers bonus miles for making charitable donations to assist Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Joining with organizations like American Red Cross and Airlink, airlines are also helping relief workers reach the affected areas with complimentary flights.
LinkEASA gives green light for Qatar Boeing 777 Wi-Fi roll-outDoha-based Qatar Airways has begun installing Inmarsat’s GX Aviation connectivity on its Boeing 777 fleet after receiving European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approval for the equipment.
LinkYield, cost pressures lead to flydubai 1H lossA combination of yield pressure and seasonality were some of the factors behind hybrid carrier flydubai recording a loss of AED142 million ($38.8 million) for 1H 2017, the airline said. Flydubai SVP-finance Arbind Kumar said the company was continuing to focus its efforts on three main areas—improvements in cost performance, network optimization and a broadening of its distribution channels—to improve the situation.
LinkQantas A380 cabins to get major upgradeAustralian flag carrier Qantas has announced a multi-million dollar major cabin upgrade for its 12 Airbus A380s to improve passenger comfort on long-haul flights and meet increased demand for premium cabins on flights to the US, Europe and Asia.
LinkBrexit: Airlines hope for the best, prepare for the worstA catastrophic collapse of air services between the European Union and the UK, or “business as normal”?
LinkLessor BOC Aviation rides wave of industry expansionContinuing sound fundamentals in the airline industry helped spur lessor BOC Aviation to an improved 2017 first-half result compared to the year-ago period. The Singapore-based lessor turned in a 1H net profit of $240 million, up 13% year-over-year (YOY). Total revenues and other income rose 16% YOY to $670 million.
LinkAllegiant to retire MD-80s, 757s; suspend Hawaii serviceLas Vegas-based LCC Allegiant Air is in the process of retiring its 43 remaining MD-80s and should see the last ones exiting the fleet in 18 months, an airline executive told ATW’s sister publication Aviation Daily.
LinkEurowings to hire 600 crew for A320 fleet expansionLufthansa Group LCC subsidiary Eurowings will hire 600 crewmembers, comprising 200 pilots and 400 cabin crew members, as its fleet expands to a further 20 Airbus A320s.
LinkChina’s Chongqing Airport begins third terminal, runway operationsChongqing Jiangbei International Airport began operations from a newly built third terminal and third runway Aug. 29. The 530,000 sq m terminal, which began construction in August 2012, can handle an annual capacity of 45 million passengers, 1.1 million tonnes of cargo and 373,000 aircraft movements. It has also added 94 aircraft parking stands.
LinkSouthwest announces 19 new Calif. routesSouthwest Airlines on Monday announced 19 new routes between California airports and cities including Houston, St. Louis, Orlando, Fla.; Boise, Idaho; and Spokane, Wash.
LinkUnited skill lets travelers check flights via Amazon EchoUnited Airlines' Alexa skill lets travelers use Amazon's Echo device for flight check-in and to inquire about flight status and available amenities.
LinkPittsburgh airport gives nonflyers passes to AirmallPittsburgh International Airport is allowing shoppers, who aren't flying, to access its popular Airmall. Shoppers need special passes and must undergo airport security screening.
LinkIsrael to sell F-16As with upgrade packageNormally fierce rivals, Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries are co-operating on an upgrade package for elderly Lockheed Martin F-16As. Israel retired its "Netz" fighters earlier this year and is now looking to sell the 40-strong inventory, which would be extensively modernised by the partners.
LinkElbit wins Asia-Pacific F-5 upgrade workElbit Systems has won a $93 million contract from an undisclosed customer in the Asia-Pacific region for the upgrade of its Northrop F-5 fighters. To be conducted over a three-year period, the modification will see the Israeli firm install a number of systems to the legacy type.
LinkHAL commences LCH productionHindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has commenced production of the initial 15 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) for the Indian army. At a ceremony at HAL's helicopter production centre in Bengaluru, minister of finance, defense and corporate affairs Arun Jaitley oversaw the launch of LCH production.
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