NewsUnited exits two more Guam routes as demand fallsUnited Airlines will end service to Sendai and Shanghai Pudong from its Guam hub in the coming months, the latest in a series of cuts to its Micronesia operation. The Star Alliance carrier will end service from Guam to Sendai on 1 April and Shanghai Pudong on 22 March, United confirms and FlightGlobal schedules show.
LinkA321 checked for drone strike after Heathrow encounterUK investigators have disclosed that an Airbus A321 was checked for damage at London Heathrow after a drone encounter so close that the crew initially believed it had struck the jet. The A321 had been conducting its approach to runway 27L on 27 October last year, according to the UK Airprox Board.
LinkEasyJet chief cuts salary as airline reveals 52% gender pay gapEasyJet's recently appointed chief executive Johan Lundgren has asked for his annual salary to be reduced so it matches the amount received by female predecessor Carolyn McCall. To show what he described as a "personal commitment" to "equal pay and equal opportunity for women and men", Lundgren has requested that the low-cost carrier’s board cut his pay by £34,000 ($48,000) to £706,000.
LinkSIA invests in digital innovation to stay aheadSingapore Airlines has pledged to invest "hundreds of millions" to use digital technology to improve customer experience as well as to drive cost savings in areas such as maintenance. As part of its digital innovation blueprint, launched on 29 January, the airline signed partnerships with four Singapore organizations – the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the National University of Singapore.
LinkAmerican Airlines to grow fleet, hire more employeesHigh quarter earnings and an expected boost from the recently passed tax overhaul has American Airlines planning to expand its fleet and hire more employees, CEO Doug Parker says. He also credits the company's success to a "continuous demand" from business and leisure travelers.
LinkFedEx to add to pension plan, increase wages after tax lawAfter the recent tax legislation's passage, FedEx announced it plans to move up its employees' annual wage increases to April instead of the normal October date, as well as add $1.5 billion to the company's pension plan. FedEx is expected to invest an additional $1.5 billion to expand its FedEx Express facility in Indianapolis during the next seven years.
LinkUnited puts wide-body aircraft to use in long-haul flightsUnited Airlines is putting its newest fleet acquisitions, the Boeing 777-300ER and the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, into service, launching a long-haul flight between Los Angeles and Singapore in under 18 hours. The airline also launched a 17-hour, 30-minute flight between Houston and Sydney.
LinkJetBlue adds seating, tech upgrades to A320 fleetJetBlue Airways' aircraft in its A320 fleet could feature a remodeled interior that is more modern and dense than in previous models, with a complete fleet redesign expected to take three years, JetBlue CFO Steve Priest said. The planes will feature 12 more seats, offer in-seat USB ports and power outlets and offer high-definition in-seat TVs.
LinkAmerican Airlines to offer complimentary alcohol on NYC-Chicago flightsTravelers aboard American Airlines flights from New York City to Chicago will be able to order free beer and wine beginning April 4. The flights will run 15 times every day.
LinkUS, Qatar expected to announce agreement to ease Open Skies tensionsThe US government has told US airlines that US secretary of state Rex Tillerson will finalize an agreement with Qatar on Jan. 30 in which state-owned Qatar Airways will commit to be more financially transparent and declare that it has no plans to operate fifth freedom flights to the US.
LinkNorwegian Air Argentina is granted AOCNorwegian Air Argentina received its air operator certificate (AOC) from the Argentinian government Jan. 26. The much-delayed milestone is a major step for the airline to finally be able to start commercial flights later this year. The carrier has already been granted the authority for 72 domestic and 80 international routes now that Argentina has begun to liberalize its once much-restricted air transport market.
LinkEuropean airports seek to hasten EU drone rulebook adoptionAirports are stepping up pressure on European Union (EU) authorities to swiftly adopt safety and traffic management rules that that will ensure the safe use of UAVs (drones) in and around airports. In its call for EU action released Jan. 29, airports lobby group ACI Europe said fast-evolving UAS technology presented opportunities but also required effective regulation.
LinkAirBaltic plans to hire over 100 pilots in 2018AirBaltic is planning to recruit more than 100 pilots in 2018 as the Latvian carrier’s route network and passenger count continue to grow.
LinkTUIfly takes delivery of first 737 MAX 8Travel group TUI took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 Jan. 29. The aircraft will be operated by TUIfly Belgium and is the first of a total of nine to be delivered this year.
Link ExpressJet mechanics ratify one-year tentative contractMechanics and technicians for US regional carrier ExpressJet ratified a new tentative contract agreement Jan. 26. As negotiated between representatives of the airline and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), the contract covers nearly 500 mechanics, technicians and tool room attendants and will become amenable in one year. IBT said the contract “contains significant improvements in wages while maintaining current benefit levels.” Details of the contract were not released.
LinkChina Eastern seeks to build its own aviation ecosystemChina Eastern Airlines (CEA) is accelerating its strategic transformation to build an aviation ecosystem, according to CEA chairman Liu Shaouong, in an effort to alleviate mainline aviation business risks and boost ancillary revenue.
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