ATW Daily News

British Airways cabin crew to strike for seven days this month

Monday March 15, 2010

British Airways cabin crew represented by Unite announced Friday that members will strike for seven days this month, March 20-22 and March 27-30, and vowed that further industrial action could take place after April 14 "if the dispute has not been resolved." [ more ]

Gol swings to $504 million 2009 profit with reoriented network

Monday March 15, 2010

Gol reported net income of BRL890.8 million ($504.2 million) for 2009, reversed from a BRL1.2 billion deficit in 2008, attributing its profitability to "synergies" created by the merger of Gol's and Varig's operations at the end of 2008 and its transformation into an efficient 737NG operator organized around a short-haul South American network that it believes appeals to Brazil's growing middle class. [ more ]

AA contends with FAA's proposed fines, unhappy unions

Monday March 15, 2010

American Airlines faces growing problems on two fronts as US FAA announced Friday it is seeking to collect civil penalties totaling $787,500 from the carrier for maintenance violations and its ground workers became the second labor group to ask the National Mediation Board for a release from talks that could lead to a work action. [ more ]

Oman Air finding its niche

Monday March 15, 2010

Oman Air realizes that it is better to remain a "unique boutique airline, rather than to compete against Emirates and company," CEO Peter Hill told ATWOnline at ITB Berlin. [ more ]

Today's Other Headlines

Monday March 15, 2010

IATA halves forecast 2010 loss to $2.8 billion from $5.6 billion

Friday March 12, 2010

IATA slashed its projected 2010 loss for the global airline industry by half, stating in a new forecast issued yesterday that a stronger-than-expected recovery in demand, particularly in Asia and Latin America, will result in a full-year loss of $2.8 billion instead of the $5.6 billion predicted in December. [ more ]

Lufthansa targeting 'slight' improvement after rough 2009

Friday March 12, 2010

Lufthansa yesterday released details of a year that ended with its first net loss in six years, a €112 million ($152.5 million) deficit that marked a reversal from the €542 million profit posted in 2008, but with an operating profit that reflected "broadly poised and ideally equipped" business segments, according to Chairman and CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber. [ more ]

Korean regulators tag KE, Asiana for antitrust violations; KE faces ACCC cargo charge

Friday March 12, 2010

Korean Airlines and Asiana Airlines will be subject to fines of KRW10.4 billion ($9.2 million) and KRW640 million respectively for engaging in anticompetitive practices to hurt smaller Korean carriers, South Korea's Fair Trade Commission announced yesterday. [ more ]

Air France KLM maintains African commitment

Friday March 12, 2010

Air France KLM intends to maintain its strong position in Africa and a strategy of continuous growth despite the economic downturn and increased competition, Senior VP-Africa & Middle East Etienne Rachou told ATWOnline. [ more ]

Today's Other Headlines

Friday March 12, 2010

Oneworld trio aims to appease European regulators with London slot leases

Thursday March 11, 2010

Oneworld partners British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia offered to lease at least four daily slot pairs at London Heathrow or Gatwick to competing carriers for service to three US cities in order to address regulatory concerns about their proposed transatlantic joint venture. [ more ]

Special items, cuts return Cathay Pacific to profit

Thursday March 11, 2010

Cathay Pacific Group returned to profit in 2009, posting a HK$4.69 billion ($604.9 million) surplus that was reversed from a restated 2008 loss of HK$8.7 billion, as fuel hedges, one-time gains and capacity and cost cuts boosted the bottom line. [ more ]

US regional growth could hinge on major airline labor negotiations

Thursday March 11, 2010

The current round of pilot negotiations at US major network airlines "will be the most important since deregulation" and could determine the future growth path for the regional airline segment, according to William Swelbar, a research engineer at MIT's International Center for Air Transportation. [ more ]

BA, Aer Lingus fail to reach accords with cabin staff

Thursday March 11, 2010

British Airways and Aer Lingus each reached a crossroads yesterday with disgruntled flight attendants as attempts to agree on terms designed to produce cost savings met with resistance. [ more ]

Today's Other Headlines

Thursday March 11, 2010

Airbus to increase A320 production despite souring financials

Wednesday March 10, 2010

Despite reporting a €763 million ($1.04 billion) net loss in 2009, reversed from a €1.57 billion surplus the prior year, Airbus parent EADS yesterday announced an increase in the monthly A320 family production rate from the current 34 to 36 in December thanks to "continuing demand" and a "record backlog." [ more ]

LaHood: White House has 'an interest' in funding NextGen aircraft equipage

Wednesday March 10, 2010

US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, speaking yesterday at the FAA Aviation Forecast Conference in Washington, said President Barack Obama's administration will "soon" make a decision on whether to allocate federal funds to equip commercial aircraft with NextGen ATC technology such as ADS-B. [ more ]

FAA forecasts 'modest' traffic recovery; Barclays, US Airways predict profits

Wednesday March 10, 2010

With economic growth "sluggish" over the next couple of years, "there is no rapid recovery" ahead for the US airline industry, FAA Office of Aviation Policy and Plans-Forecast and Statistics Manager Roger Schaufele said yesterday. [ more ]

Additional layoffs ahead as Aer Lingus plunges to loss

Wednesday March 10, 2010

Aer Lingus Group reported a loss before taxes and exceptional items of €66.2 million ($90.4 million) in 2009, reversed from an €18.8 million profit in 2008, and a quadrupling of its operating loss to €81 million from €20 million. [ more ]

Today's Other Headlines

Wednesday March 10, 2010

Allegiant to add second aircraft type as Hawaii beckons

Tuesday March 9, 2010

Allegiant Air parent Allegiant Travel Co. will add six 757-200s to a fleet currently comprised entirely of MD-80s in order to "expand its leisure travel strategy" with nonstop flights to Hawaii. [ more ]

Another Shenzhen arrest leaves airline control up for grabs

Tuesday March 9, 2010

Shenzhen Airlines CEO Li Kun was arrested Saturday for alleged financial irregularities, allowing Air China to deepen its involvement in the country's fifth-largest carrier through the appointment of Shenzhen vice chairman and former CA VP Fan Cheng as acting CEO. [ more ]

Obama taps former US Army major general to head TSA

Tuesday March 9, 2010

US President Barack Obama yesterday announced that he will nominate retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert Harding to head the Transportation Security Administration. [ more ]

United, AirTran add to storm tally

Tuesday March 9, 2010

United Airlines and AirTran Airways yesterday revealed the amount of revenue lost as a result of last month's record-breaking snowstorms in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast US. [ more ]

Today's Other Headlines

Tuesday March 9, 2010