NewsAtlas Air Worldwide posts $224 million profit on volume, revenue surgeReflecting a 20% increase in volumes and a 17% rise in full-year revenues, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings posted a $223.5 million net profit for 2017—a fivefold increase over the Purchase, New York-based air freight carrier’s $41.5 million net income for 2016. The company’s fourth-quarter finances received a considerable $130 million benefit related to the December 2017 US tax reform legislation, of which $81 million contributed to Atlas’ full-year income.
LinkAir New Zealand targets network, fleet growthAir New Zealand plans to launch a nonstop flight from Auckland to Taipei, Taiwan, as the latest step in its strategy of growing its Pacific Rim destinations.
LinkIAG reports strong 2017 results, plans to expand capacity in 2018Encouraged by much-improved results across all airline units and robust unit revenues, International Airlines Group (IAG) plans to expand capacity significantly in 2018, a move met with concerns by investors.
LinkIAG talking with Boeing and Airbus over Level fleetIAG is holding talks with both Boeing and Airbus on future fleet requirements for its long-haul budget carrier Level. The airline has been built around the Airbus A330-200, and its fleet is expanding to five aircraft – three for its Barcelona base and two for its new station at Paris Orly.
LinkQatar Airways must choose wisdom over hubris If anyone thought Qatar Airways chief Akbar Al Baker, eight months into a Gulf blockade on the carrier, might choose to adopt a more diplomatic tone while addressing the international press, they must have been barking. Al Baker, in Toulouse to receive the first Airbus A350-1000, had prefaced remarks on the situation by suggesting the delivery ceremony was not a forum to discuss dispiriting affairs of state.
LinkIran Aseman suspends ATR operations: regulatorIran Aseman Airlines has suspended ATR 72 operations until further notice, following the accident involving one of its turboprops. The Iranian Civil Aviation Organisation says the airline is "temporarily ceasing" flights with both the -200 and -500 variants of the aircraft.
LinkAirbus completes 8,000th A320 family deliveryAirbus has passed a key milestone in single-aisle production with the delivery of the 8,000th A320 family aircraft. Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that the 8,000th A3320 family aircraft to be produced (MSN8000), a Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-powered A320neo (B-1068), was delivered on 1 February to Air China. The aircraft was delivered from Airbus’s Chinese assembly line in Tianjin. This aircraft had flown 10 days earlier on 22 January.
LinkUS airlines oppose increasing airport taxes on passengersThe CEOs of Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao expressing their opposition to any increase of the Passenger Facility Charge. "Airlines are committed to making capital improvements in infrastructure alongside our well-funded airport partners, and we respectfully ask for your commitment to solutions that do not involve unnecessary tax increases on the traveling public," the letter said.
LinkAir Canada announces seasonal Phoenix-Montreal serviceAir Canada has started direct, seasonal service between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. The service will operate three times a week through May 28, resuming on Sept. 6.
LinkBoston airport facial scanning pilot program a successA joint pilot program by JetBlue Airways, SITA and CBP at Boston's Logan International Airport has demonstrated the value of biometric facial recognition scanning, and US Customs and Border Protection is looking for ways to further implement the technology. Facial recognition "really has the potential to change the whole airport experience," said CBP's John Wagner.
LinkTurkish airport operator TAV predicts strong growth in 2018Turkey-based airport management group TAV Airports Holding anticipates “another strong year” in 2108, after posting a net profit of €174.5 million ($215.1 million), up 37% on 2016’s figure of €127.1 million. Revenues rose 3% over 2016, to €1.14 billion. Having increased passenger throughput at the 17 airports it manages in Europe and the Middle East by 10% to 115 million in 2017, it estimates that the coming year will see a further 10%-12% rise in travelers.
LinkEviation Aviation picks battery supplier for all-electric regional Israeli startup Eviation Aviation has selected South Korea’s Kokam to supply lithium-polymer batteries for its initial Alice all-electric regional aircraft, and hopes to fly a full-scale prototype by early 2019.
LinkNew wings on Qatar F-15s pave upgrade path for USAFA Qatari order for the F-15 Advanced Eagle will introduce a new structural upgrade for the wing that could be offered as a service life extension option for the US Air Force’s F-15Cs and for the fleets of other international customers, a top Boeing manager says. The government of Qatar awarded Boeing a $6.2 billion contract for 36 F-15QA (Qatari Advanced) fighters in late December that extends the St. Louis-based production line through the end of 2022.
LinkC-130J's success gives hope to A400MTwenty years ago, Lockheed Martin made its first delivery of a C-130J to launch operator the UK Royal Air Force, following a troubled development and testing program which was very much at odds with its chosen moniker: “Super Hercules”. Parallels can easily be found with the current travails of Airbus Defence & Space’s A400M, with the C-130J having been dogged by early propulsion system integration issues and complex software development which delayed the delivery of promised tactical capabilities.
LinkSaab unveils first GlobalEye for UAESaab has unveiled its first GlobalEye surveillance aircraft, revealing the extensively modified Bombardier Global 6000 business jet in the livery of launch customer the United Arab Emirates air force. Conducted at the Swedish company's Linköping site on 23 February, the event came a little over two years after the GlobalEye deal was announced at the Dubai air show in November 2015. The UAE initially signed a two-aircraft order, before also taking an option on a third example last year.
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