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Thursday November 26, 2009

European Parliament yesterday adopted a resolution calling on the European Commission to consider proposing new legislation guaranteeing passenger compensation and assistance in case of airline bankruptcy. MEPs said they believe the current legislation lacks sufficient consumer protection and suggested that "establishing a 'reserve compensation fund' and introducing 'mutual responsibility' for passengers of all airlines flying in the same direction with available seats could help to get stranded passengers home." Parliament cited 77 airlines that filed for bankruptcy in the EU since 2000.

The European Conservatives and Reformists Group, a faction in the EP, argued that creating a fund would be the "wrong approach to the problem, which would add to the plethora of extra charges placed onto an airline ticket." Instead of a new tax on traveling, ECR proposed that aviation authorities and regulators uphold existing obligations such as regularly carrying out financial status checks on airlines and exercising their right to revoke operating licenses before liquidation occurs. It also called for inclusion of compulsory information regarding risk, insurance options and other protective mechanisms at the time of ticket purchase.

Shunfeng Airlines, which will be China's first express delivery cargo airline, has been approved by CAAC. The carrier was established by delivery company Shunfeng Express and has registered capital of CNY100 million ($14.6 million), according to the regulator. Shenzhen Taihai Investment Co. will hold a 75% stake and Shunfeng Express the remainder. The new venture will be based in Shenzhen and is expected to operate two 757-200s initially. It is awaiting approval to introduce a third.

Shunfeng Express is one of China's leading express delivery companies and boasts a ground network covering some 200 cities in 31 provinces, as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan. It started operating cargo charter flights in 2003 and leased eight aircraft to operate between Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou and Shenzhen. It decided to launch its own airline in 2007. It is targeting a fleet of 30 freighters within 10 years and intends to schedule flights in order to blend with its ground transport network.

Novair A321 RNP demonstration flights into Stockholm Arlanda over the summer, part of the Atlantic Interoperability Initiative to Reduce Emissions, demonstrated "that there are capabilities in modern aircraft that can be used to reduce the environmental load in today's air traffic system," according to a statement issued yesterday by SESAR and Airbus. The EU ATC modernization program and the manufacturer teamed with charter carrier Novair, Swedish ATC provider LFV and ARN to operate the 10 flights and collect data. "The flights have demonstrated a lateral standard deviation of 0.01 nm. or 22 m., which is less than the wingspan of an A321. . .[can produce] a total of 518 kg of carbon dioxide reduction compared to an average Instrument Landing System approach operated by Novair," SESAR and Airbus said. American Airlines also has participated in the Atlantic Interoperability Initiative to Reduce Emissions on flights between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Miami (ATWOnline, June 9).

Delta Air Lines intends to raise $688.7 million through the sale of pass-through certificates in two classes with annual interest rates of 7.75% and 9.75% respectively. The notes are backed by 27 Boeing aircraft, with proceeds going toward refinancing 22 aircraft DL currently operates and payments on an additional five aircraft delivered this year, it said in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Wizz Air will base a third A320 at Cluj-Napoca from June 12 and launch thrice-weekly service to Pisa and Cuneo. It also will launch thrice-weekly Bucharest Baneasa-Pisa on June 12, twice-weekly Timisoara-Forli on March 29 and thrice-weekly Budapest-Forli on March 30. The LCC said more new destinations from CLJ will be announced "shortly."

Thai Airways took delivery of one A340-500 and one A340-600, lifting its fleet to 90 aircraft. Planes are powered by Trent 500s. The -500 seats 215 across three classes and will operate to Los Angeles and Athens, while the -600 seats 267 and will fly to Tokyo Narita, Shanghai, Zurich and Sydney.

Air Slovakia will wet-lease five aircraft to Albanian Airlines for one year and will "assist [Albanian] to develop its operational capabilities in its efforts to operate scheduled services and become the leading airline of the region." Air Slovakia operates 737s and 757s while Albanian has BAe 146s and MD-82s, according to its website.

Airstream International Group is remarketing four A321-200s currently operated by Royal Air Maroc. Aircraft are powered by CFM565B3/Ps.

Compass Airlines cabin staff voted to join the Assn. of Flight Attendants-CWA. Compass is a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines.

United Airlines will operate seasonal daily Chicago O'Hare-Rome Fiumicino service May 1-Aug. 31 aboard a 767.

American Eagle launched daily Charleston, S.C.-Miami service aboard an ERJ-145. Flight becomes twice-daily April 6.

Qatar Airways will increase its five-times-weekly Doha-Stockholm Arlanda service to daily on March 28, when it replaces an A310 with an A330.

Singapore Airlines flew 7.28 billion RPKs in October, down 6% from the year-ago month, against a 10.3% cut in capacity to 8.98 billion ASKs. Load factor rose 3.6 points to 81.1%.

Swiss International Air Lines flew 2.5 billion RPKs in August, a 0.2% fall year-over-year. Capacity dropped 5.1% to 2.9 billion ASKs and load factor rose 4.2 points to 86.2%.

Austrian Airlines flew 1.52 billion RPKs last month, an 8.5% reduction year-over-year, against an 11.8% decline in capacity to 1.94 billion ASKs. Load factor rose 2.8 points to 78.2%.

Germanwings carried 666,891 passengers in October, a 6.3% decline year-over-year, while load factor dropped 2.1 points to 79.3%.

AirBaltic transported 258,513 passengers in October, up 10% year-over-year. Load factor rose 8 points to 70%.

ExpressJet Airlines flew 667 million RPMs in October, up 8% year-over-year. Capacity climbed 4% to 848 million ASMs, lifting load factor 3 points to 78.7%.

Gategroup announced a series of "major contract renewals" with Delta Air Lines and its Northwest Airliens subsidiary worth more than $1 billion "over several years" and encompassing deals with Gate Gourmet, Gate Safe, eGate Solutions, Pourshins and deSter. The company also recently extended its contract with Swiss International Air Lines for three years through 2015. New deal covers operations in Zurich, Geneva and Basel and is worth more than CHF600 million ($593.6 million)

PACE signed an agreement with Airbus Operations Germany to develop a software solution for streamlining configuration of its passenger cabin maintenance manuals.

Engine Alliance named Mary Ellen Jones president succeeding Jim Moravecek, who will return to Pratt & Whitney. Jones led Pratt's Commercial Engines & Global Services Marketing division.