NewsEthiopian Airlines set to receive first 787-9 on 27 OctoberEthiopian Airlines is poised to take delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 and become the variant's first African operator. The Addis Ababa-based Star Alliance says the aircraft will be handed over on 27 October.
LinkAirAsia receives first Tianjin A320neoMalaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia has taken delivery of the first Airbus A320neo to be assembled on the airframer's Tianjin line in China. The aircraft is powered by CFM International Leap-1A engines and has 186 seats, says Airbus.
LinkCSeries in contest for Bangkok Airways' narrowbody needsBangkok Airways is evaluating the Airbus A319neo, Boeing 737 Max 7 and the Bombardier CS300 for its fleet renewal and expansion needs. In an interview with FlightGlobal, network and fleet management advisor Peter Wiesner says the airline is looking at about 20 aircraft, to be available for delivery from the second half of 2019
LinkBombardier fires back after Moody's downgradeMoody's Investor Service has downgraded Bombardier's credit rating, spurring the Montreal-based manufacturer to accuse Moody's of misreading the recent Bombardier-Airbus deal. The credit rating company lowered its rating for Bombardier to B3 from B2, while also downgrading its outlook for the company from "stable" to "negative", Moody's says in a 24 October research paper.
LinkBoeing responds to revived interest in passenger-carrying 767Boeing sees “broader customer interest” in the 767 beyond military tankers and commercial freighters, says chairman, president and chief executive Dennis Muilenburg on a 25 October earnings call. Boeing delivered the last of 583 passenger-carrying 767-300ER models to Air Astana in mid-2014, but the company kept open the option of re-starting production if demand returns.
LinkBoeing margin inches higher in Q3Boeing improved operating margin by 1.6 percentage points in the third quarter compared with last year, as commercial deliveries rose 7% with the ramp-up of the 737 Max. Operating profit climbed 18% to $24.3 billion in the quarter, with an 11.1% operating margin, as operating revenues grew only 2%, Boeing reports in a 25 October earnings statement.
LinkCEO: Boeing’s narrowbody strategy unchanged after CSeries deal The Airbus-Bombardier CSeries deal will not alter Boeing’s strategy in the narrowbody sector, with the 737 MAX 7 remaining the company’s answer to the smaller-size end of the mainline aircraft market, according to Boeing chairman, president and CEO Dennis Muilenburg.
LinkPassenger interviews part of new security for US-bound flightsA number of airlines operating to the US have indicated they will be implementing new security measures this week for US-bound flights. US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) spokesperson Mike England told ATW the measures are part of the continuing implementation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mandate, issued in June, requiring 180 airlines operating to the US to enhance security.
LinkPricing pressure, Horizon pilot shortages soften Alaska Air 3Q resultsAlaska Air Group executives acknowledged the company’s network expansion this year—44 routes including 32 in California alone—has been met with intense pricing competition, which, combined with pilot shortages at regional carrier Horizon Air, have impacted the 2017 third-quarter results.
LinkLufthansa Group’s 9-month results boosted by positive business trends Lufthansa Group delivered a 2017 nine-month net profit of €1.9 billion ($2.2 billion), up 0.1% from the year-ago period. The group’s nine-month total revenue rose 12.1% to €27 billion year-over-year (YOY) and operating cash flow stood at €4.5 billion, up 46% YOY. Its nine-month adjusted EBIT margin amounted to 9.6%, some 2.6 percentage points above the previous year’s level.
LinkAAPA: Korean Air may see first CS300 by year-endKorean Air is confident it will receive its first Bombardier CSeries aircraft by the end of this year or early 2018, after its timetable was affected by program delays.
LinkBrussels Airlines could operate long-haul routes for EurowingsLufthansa Group LCC subsidiary Eurowings CEO Thorsten Dirks has said Star Alliance member Brussels Airlines could operate long-haul flights for Eurowings from Düsseldorf, Germany. “This could include flights to the US. However, we will not change Brussels Airlines’ business portfolio. For example, they are an expert on routes to Africa, but we want to use their competence and air operator’s certificate,” Dirks told ATW in Vienna.
LinkCEO: Saudia targets religious and pilgrim businessSaudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) wants to expand its religious and pilgrim business as the government continues to issue more visas.
LinkNorthrop Grumman pulls out of MQ-25 competitionNorthrop Grumman has withdrawn from participating in the US Navy’s competition to develop the MQ-25 Stingray, saying the company would have been unable to execute the programme under the terms of the service’s request for proposals.
LinkFrance gearing up for HIL helicopter developmentFrance is likely to issue a preliminary development contract for its hélicoptère interarmées léger (HIL) program by the end of the year, to allow manufacturer Airbus Helicopters to begin initial risk-reduction activities.
LinkSerbia receives six MiG-29s donated by RussiaSerbia has received six former Russian air force RAC MiG-29 fighters, donated free of charge by Moscow. Although Belgrade paid nothing for the aircraft, it will still spend €180 million ($212 million) on maintenance with the Russian manufacturer – a deal that includes the examples in its current inventory.
LinkAnalysts optimistic about Southwest, American AirlinesAccording to analysts, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines are expected to offer optimistic third-quarter reports on Thursday. That optimism comes amid intense and growing industry competition and despite losses due to events outside of airlines' control, such as the hurricanes in Florida, Texas and the Caribbean.
LinkJetBlue exceeds analysts' Q3 profit expectationsJetBlue Airways reported $179 million in third-quarter earnings, beating Wall Street's expectations. Earnings were down from the $199 million reported in the same quarter of 2016, due to more than 2,500 hurricane-related flight service disruptions.
LinkUnited travelers can use app to download other airlines' boarding passesUnited Airlines passengers who book trips with some legs served by other airlines can now use the carrier's app to download boarding passes for the entire trip. The airline is the first US carrier to offer the feature.
LinkMiami airport launches automated security lanesMiami International Airport this month launched two automated security lanes at its Concourse D international connector checkpoint, which serves American Airlines passengers. The airport is the 11th nationwide to install the technology, which reduces traveler screening times.
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