tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34471804869726723992024-03-08T04:11:01.593+00:00Jet Setters WaysA brief overview of the industry that is what we call Aviation.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-67646724126633371632008-11-20T12:56:00.001+00:002008-11-20T12:56:01.012+00:00Qantas Jets Crash<a href="http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20081118/twl-qantas-jets-crash-in-latest-scare-3fd0ae9.html">Qantas planes collide</a><br /><br />Two <a href="http://qantasmedia.com.au/">Qantas</a> passenger jets have had an accident on the ground in near Melbourne according to reports. <br /><br />Two Boeing <a href="http://www.boeing.com/commercial/747family/">747</a>'s were damaged whilst being towed at the Avalon airport, which is Qantas' maintaince base which is located outside of Melbourne. <br /><br />Ironically, one of the jets was the same jet that was involved in a mid-air explosion in July over the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninoy_Aquino_International_Airport">Phillipines</a>. A major hole was ripped in the fuselage during that incident.<br /><br />Local TV reports have shown footage of one of the jets with the nose caved in, allegedly after hitting the left hand wing of the other plane. <br /><br />Qantas has said that maintenance staff involved have been suspended in light of the situation. <br /><br />This accident is the latest in a string of unforunate events that affected Qantas, which is bringing their safety record into question.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-47503412822337665732008-11-18T17:14:00.010+00:002008-11-18T19:49:55.253+00:00TV viewers’ vote BA as their favourite airlineViewers of the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/purpose/what.shtml">BBC</a> consumer affairs show <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/">Watchdog</a> have voted <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Airways">British Airways</a> as their favourite airline.<br /><br />In a survey of the most loved and hated airlines, BA beat <a href="http://www.easyjet.com/EN/About/Information/index.html">Easyjet</a>, <a href="http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/company_info/index.jsp">Singapore Airlines</a>, <a href="http://www.emirates.com/uk/english/about/about_emirates.aspx">Emirates</a> and <a href="http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/us/allaboutus/index.jsp">Virgin Atlantic</a> into the number one spot for most loved.<br /><br />Over 25,000 took part in the survey, and over half chose BA for its customer service and on-board facilities.<br /><br />Over 2,300 viewers also voted BA into the least favourite carrier category.<br /><br />The least favourite airline was <a href="http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/about.php?page=About&culture=GB&pos=HEAD">Ryanair</a>, with more than double the amount of votes of BA. Viewers stated that customer service and delays and cancellations were the reason Ryanair scored so low.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ad73vrEUOX0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ad73vrEUOX0&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-83518446653597643752008-11-16T17:11:00.001+00:002008-11-16T17:11:01.459+00:00Iberia profits down 98 per centIberia profits down 98 per cent <br /><br />Iberia has reported a 98 per cent drop in half-year earnings on the back of high fuel prices and the global economic slowdown.<br /><br />Operating profit at the Spanish carrier for the months of January to September dropped to 8.2 million euros ($10.35 million) and net profit fell to 51.1 million euros compared with 223 million euros a year ago.<br /><br />Analysts have complimented Iberia on a strong balance sheet but say that, like other airlines, it faces strong economic headwinds and limited benefits from falling oil prices due to its hedging.<br /><br />The airline also reported its traffic and capacity statistics for October, which showed an 8.6 per cent drop in passenger traffic.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-52234728155689771322008-11-14T17:09:00.001+00:002008-11-14T17:09:00.874+00:00Bank warns of recession into 2009Bank warns of recession into 2009 <br /><br />The UK probably entered a recession in the middle of 2008 and is likely to continue to contract well into 2009, the Bank of England has said. <br /><br />In its quarterly inflation report, the Bank warned that the economic landscape had changed dramatically since August. <br /><br />It said that the UK economy could shrink by two per cent over the next year, much worse than its previous forecast. <br /><br />Bank governor Mervyn King said: “[It is] very difficult to know precisely how long we'll be in recession. I think we probably are in recession now.<br /><br />“This is a difficult and unprecedented time, but we will come through this. We will come out of recession and get back to a period of low and steady inflation and economic growth.”<br /><br />Germany has also confirmed that it has entered a recession after government figures showed the country’s economy contracted by 0.5 per cent in the third quarter. <br /><br />And in further bad news for the economy, <a href="http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20081113/tuk-bt-planning-to-axe-10-000-jobs-6323e80.html">BT says it expects to have cut 10,000 jobs by the end of the March</a>.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-27577092483219898932008-11-12T13:29:00.001+00:002008-11-12T13:29:01.025+00:00Cathay Pacific confirms freezeCathay Pacific confirms hiring freeze <br /><br /> Cathay Pacific Airways has confirmed a hiring freeze for the airline and its unit, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines, as part of its cost-cutting measures to deal with reduced demand.<br /><br />Cathay Pacific chief executive Tony Tyler recently said in a staff newsletter the hiring suspension took effect at the end of October. He added the airline aims to adjust its operating plan for next year in anticipation of a weak market for air travel.<br /><br />However, he said: “I remain unashamedly optimistic about the future of aviation in Asia – just think of the potential in China and India alone.”<br /><br />The airline’s plans to cut costs include the removal of five Boeing 777-200 passenger aircraft from service over the next two years, as well as returning two of Dragonair’s Airbus A330 aircraft to their owners when the leases expire in June.<br /><br />Tyler said the removal of the 777-200s, which include the first ever 777 ever built, will help Cathay Pacific simplify its fleet structure, adding “if we do manage to sell them, the cash will come in very useful.”Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-69825643680771262022008-11-10T23:35:00.000+00:002008-11-10T23:35:00.871+00:00Strike delays Boeing 787 launchStrike delays Boeing 787 launch <br /><br />Boeing has delayed the first flight of its 787 aircraft until 2009, previously scheduled for the end of 2008.<br /><br />It is the fifth substantial delay to the Dreamliner’s first flight, which was originally planned for summer 2007.<br /><br />Boeing has blamed the delay on a 58-day machinists’ strike, which finally ended on Sunday.<br /><br />It also blamed a problem with the installation of the fasteners that hold the aircraft together.<br /><br />A company spokesman said that inspections had found about three per cent of the fasteners on the four test jets had been incorrectly installed by suppliers, either by being placed too far apart or too close together.<br /><br />A new launch timetable will be announced once the problems have been fully assessed.<br /><br />The project has been plagued by delays due to problems with supplier and shortages of parts.<br /><br />Some airlines have been told they will have to wait two years longer for their aircraft than had originally been promised.<br /><br />The Dreamliner is a key plank of Boeing’s strategy and is the first airliner to be made from a mixture of carbon fibre and plastic.<br /><br />The materials make a lighter and more fuel-efficient than other aircraft, and allows it to travel further without refuelling.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-20642903311028218872008-11-08T23:30:00.000+00:002008-11-08T23:30:01.135+00:00Cathay Pacific expects disappointing 2008 resultsCathay Pacific expects disappointing 2008 results <br /><br /> Cathay Pacific Airways has said it expects “disappointing” 2008 results from weak passenger revenue and substantial losses from fuel hedging contracts.<br /><br />The Hong Kong based airline said yesterday the recent decline in fuel prices has resulted in HK$2.8 billion (£227.6m) in mark-to market losses on its fuel hedging contracts.<br /><br />The loss amounts to about 40 per cent of its 2007 net profit of HK7.02 billion (£570.7m), but the actual loss for this year will depend on the movement of fuel prices.<br /><br />“Corporate travel volumes in all classes are of concern as corporate clients begin to impose stricter travel polices on their employees,” Cathay Pacific said.<br /><br />The company reported a first-half net loss of HK$663 million (£53.9m), its first since 2003, compared with a net profit of HK$2.58 bn (£209.7m) a year earlier.<br /><br />But despite fears of a global recession next year, analysts said they expect Cathay Pacific to benefit from a sustained decrease in fuel prices and improved demand for passenger services to China.<br /><br />UBS analyst Damien Horth said he believes Cathay Pacific’s acquisition of China-focused Hong Kong Dragon Airlines in 2006 has “materially improved the competitive position of the Hong Kong hub, relative to previous downturns”.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-3408993911647950102008-11-06T16:40:00.002+00:002008-11-06T22:38:23.560+00:00Pegasus doubles Boeing OrderPegasus doubles Boeing Order<br />Turkish Low Cost carrier Pegasus has announced that it will buy 24 planes from Boeing, rather than 12 agreed under a previous deal. Boeing was scheduled to deliver the 12 planes, bought for $800 million USD by 2012, under a deal signed in 2005, Pegasus claims that its new generation Boeing 737-800 planes will make it the private airline with the largest fleet in Turkey. <br />www.reuters.comCapitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-28227918491375155962008-11-05T14:16:00.003+00:002008-11-06T22:37:01.849+00:00Buenos Dias Buenos AiresBuenos Dias Buenos Aires<br /><br />British Airways is increasing the frequency of it flights from Heathrow to Buenos Aires from this winter schedule which takes affect when the clocks change. From October 26th, BA will add three additional 747 flights per week to the existing timetable, maning that flights to the Argentinian capital will now depart daily. Furthur expanding it winter schedule, the firm also plans to intordice a new three-times weekly direct service to Rio de Janeiro using a Boeing 777, with flights to both destinations via Sao Paulo. <br />www.ba.comCapitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-31593562876164041682008-11-04T08:39:00.005+00:002008-11-04T13:04:28.374+00:00EU rules warning on Alitalia deal<a href="http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/index_en.htm">EU rules warning on </a><a href="http://corporate.alitalia.com/en/investors/index.aspx">Alitalia</a> deal<br /><br />The rescue deal for the Italian airline Alitalia must not breach European Union competition rules, the carrier’s bankruptcy administrator has been warned.<br /><br />An investment group, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compagnia_Aerea_Italiana">Compagnia Aerea Italiana</a> (CAI), made an offer of £789 million (1bn euros) on Friday, despite the lack of agreement with some unions.<br /><br />About 3,000 workers will lose their jobs under the rescue plan. The CAI hopes to link Alitalia with a major European airline, but a decision is not expected for several weeks.<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_France-KLM">Air France-KLM</a>, <a href="http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/lh/uk/info_and_services/local_box?nodeid=1945459&l=en&cid=1000243">Lufhansa</a> and <a href="http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/lh/uk/info_and_services/local_box?nodeid=1945459&l=en&cid=1000243">British Airways</a> have all been courted as possible partners for Alitalia.<br /><br />The rescue offer from the CAI came after lengthy talks with Alitalia’s trade unions, which broke down on several occasions.<br /><br />Alitalia’s bankruptcy administrator, Augusto Fantozzi will study the offer this week, but has said any deal must not violate EU competition rules.<br /><br />The unions had accepted the CAI’s takeover of Alitalia in principle but the airline’s pilot and flight staff unions have not agreed to the CAI’s detailed terms.<br /><br />Without a binding rescue offer, Alitalia would have been forced to seek new funding within weeks to keep itself going or risk bankruptcy.EU rules warning on <a href="http://corporate.alitalia.com/en/investors/index.aspx">Alitalia</a> deal<br /><br />The rescue deal for the Italian airline Alitalia must not breach European Union competition rules, the carrier’s bankruptcy administrator has been warned.<br /><br />An investment group, the Compagnia Aerea Italiana (CAI), made an offer of £789 million (1bn euros) on Friday, despite the lack of agreement with some unions.<br /><br />About 3,000 workers will lose their jobs under the rescue plan. The CAI hopes to link Alitalia with a major European airline, but a decision is not expected for several weeks.<br /><br />Air France-KLM, Lufhansa and British Airways have all been courted as possible partners for Alitalia.<br /><br />The rescue offer from the CAI came after lengthy talks with Alitalia’s trade unions, which broke down on several occasions.<br /><br />Alitalia’s bankruptcy administrator, Augusto Fantozzi will study the offer this week, but has said any deal must not violate EU competition rules.<br /><br />The unions had accepted the CAI’s takeover of Alitalia in principle but the airline’s pilot and flight staff unions have not agreed to the CAI’s detailed terms.<br /><br />Without a binding rescue offer, Alitalia would have been forced to seek new funding within weeks to keep itself going or risk bankruptcy.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/k_LrGOuwpNo&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/k_LrGOuwpNo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-19403950206287599602008-11-02T17:52:00.000+00:002008-11-06T23:29:27.170+00:00Virgin sacks 13 over Facebook use<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0xxpbhkvfwM&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0xxpbhkvfwM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><a href="http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/allaboutus/pressoffice/index.jsp">Virgin Atlantic</a> has sacked 13 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_Attendant">cabin crew</a> staff after they criticised the airline's safety standards and insulted passengers on a social networking website, it has been revealed. Skip related content<br /><br /><div>The airline said the employees' behaviour was "totally inappropriate" and "brought the company into disrepute".<br /><br />In a statement, the airline said: <a href="http://http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20081031/tuk-virgin-sacks-13-over-facebook-use-dba1618.html">"Virgin Atlantic can confirm that 13 members of its cabin crew will be leaving the company after breaking staff policies due to totally inappropriate behaviour.<br /><br />"Following a thorough investigation, it was found that all 13 staff participated in a discussion on the networking site Facebook, which brought the company into disrepute and insulted some of our passengers.<br /><br />"It is impossible for these cabin crew members to uphold the high standards of customer service that Virgin Atlantic is renowned for if they hold these views."</a><br /><br />A spokesman for the airline said: "There is a time and a place for<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook"> Facebook</a>. But there is no justification for it to be used as a sounding board for staff of any company to criticise the very passengers who ultimately pay their salaries.<br /><br />"<a href="http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20081031/tuk-virgin-sacks-13-over-facebook-use-dba1618.html">Virgin Atlantic staff are known for their world-class customer service and there is no place in our business for anyone who behaves otherwise.<br /><br />"We have numerous internal channels for our staff to feed back legitimate and appropriate issues relating to the company."</a></div>Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-42217601248901485272008-10-31T10:45:00.003+00:002008-11-04T13:25:00.203+00:00United mechanics take voluntary severance<a href="http://www.united.com/page/specialpage/0,6822,1480,00.html">United</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanic">mechanics</a> take voluntary severance<br /><br />United Airlines has announced that 322 engineering unions reps have taken the voluntary <a href="http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/employment/redundancyandleavingyourjob/index.htm">redundancy</a> it offered as it looks to cut costs and capacity.<br /><br />In July United said it would reduce headcount at the airline by 7,000 and offer the voluntary deal to avoid compulsory redundancies.<br /><br />So far, around 1,500 cabin crew, 200 pilots and 100 engineers have chosen to take the deal.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-11374539219553505322008-10-30T17:47:00.002+00:002008-11-04T22:59:33.731+00:00Singapore Airlines to cut flights to some Asian citiesSingapore Airlines to cut flights to some Asian cities<br /><br />Singapore Airlines will reduce the number of flights to some Asian cities in response to falling demand.<br /><br />The airline said in a statement that it would reduce the number of flights between Singapore and several cities in Asia including Penang, Ho Chi Minh City, Seoul, Osaka, Bangalore and Chennai. It will stop flights to Amritsar in India.<br /><br />"Other changes will be made on an ad-hoc basis where demand requires," it said, adding capacity adjustments will be made quickly where demand falls.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-27772629347430928592008-10-29T18:03:00.002+00:002008-11-06T23:25:42.296+00:00BMI being taken over by LufthansaBMI being taken over by Lufthansa<br /><br />BMI is being taken over by Germany’s Lufthansa. <br /><br />Lufthansa, which already owns a 30 per cent stake in BMI minus one share, is buying the 50 per cent of the company owned by BMI chairman Sir Michael Bishop. <br /><br />The deal will give Lufthansa control of more flights from Heathrow than any airline except British Airways. <br /><br />The remaining 20 per cent of BMI is currently owned by Sweden-based Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). <br /><br />Lufthansa said it intended to complete the deal by 16 January. Earlier this year it bought a 45 per cent stake in Brussels Airlines.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-4263963818423268132008-10-28T15:24:00.003+00:002008-11-06T23:34:37.227+00:00BA's Concorde moved for £1.1m hangarBA's Concorde moved for £1.1m hangar<br /><br />Manchester Airport’s retired Concorde is being moved from its base to make way for a £1.1m visitor centre. <br /><br />The aircraft has been sitting at the aviation viewing park since making a final flight to the city in 2003. <br /><br />But now the 97 tonne aeroplane is being moved 17m (56ft) away while engineers build its new hangar. <br /><br />An education centre for school tours, corporate hospitality and a restaurant will also be part of the development, which is due to open in July 2009. <br /><br />BA Airport operations director Andrew Holl said: “I am delighted that plans are getting under way to re-home this important piece of aviation history. <br /><br />“Concorde is very close to our hearts here at Manchester Airport and the thousands of visitors feel passionately about her care for the future which this new hangar will offer.”<br /><br />Construction work on the new hangar is to start in early spring.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-63406538724725546632008-10-25T22:29:00.003+01:002008-11-06T23:33:25.733+00:00Austrian Airlines reports operating lossAustrian Airlines reports operating loss<br /><br />Austrian Airlines has reported a third-quarter operating loss and confirmed a gloomy outlook for the final quarter of the year.<br /><br />Its net loss for the three months to September was 16.6 million euros, compared with a 29.1 million euros net profit during the same period a year ago. Analysts had predicted a significantly smaller loss of 6.2 million euros.<br /><br />Chief executive Alfred Oetsch said: “The fourth quarter of the 2008 financial year will be characterised by an abrupt slump in demand, negative effects from fuel hedging and the increase in the value of the US dollar.<br /><br />“The economic downturn has already led to a decline in flight bookings.”<br /><br />Austrian state holding company OAG said on Monday it was extending a tender of the airline by two months.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-68885568484275256742008-10-24T09:29:00.002+01:002008-11-06T23:32:24.008+00:00Lufthansa issues profit warningLufthansa issues profit warning<br /><br />Lufthansa has followed the lead of Air France-KLM by issuing a profits warning.<br /><br />The German carrier lowered its 2008 operating profit outlook due to higher fuel costs and an uncertain market amid the global economic slowdown and financial crisis.<br /><br />The company said it now expects operating profit for the year to come in at 1.1 billion euros (£800 million).<br /><br />The profit warning comes three weeks after Lufthansa for the first time conceded that the financial crisis and cooling global economy have led to a noticeable decline in bookings, particularly from business travellers.<br /><br />Commerzbank analyst Frank Skopzik said: “We’ve expected a profit warning in our estimates but are surprised how weak third quarter figures came in.”<br /><br />Lufthansa said net profit for the first nine months of the year fell more than 65 per cent.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-89660028597939896302008-10-23T23:08:00.002+01:002008-11-06T23:27:51.157+00:00Europe delays airport X-ray eyeEU lawmakers have delayed the introduction at airports of full body scanners, machines that generate images of passengers without their clothes. <br /><br />MEPs voted for a further study on the implications for privacy and health. Computer pictures generated by the scanners give an outline of passengers bodies beneath their clothes. <br /><br />Supporters say they detect hidden objects not picked up by traditional metal detectors. But critics say they amount to a virtual strip search. <br /><br />The new scanners have already been introduced in several US airports and have been tested around the world. <br /><br />The European Commission - which supports their implementation - has given assurances that the scanners will not be used routinely on all passengers. <br /><br />“The Commission believes that body scanning methods can complement in a very effective and efficient way the existing security measures at airports,” said spokesman Jens Mester at EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-36566086014051928482008-10-20T01:26:00.002+01:002008-11-06T23:27:03.563+00:00Mideast carriers urged to improve efficiencyMiddle East carriers need to improve fuel efficiency and expand commercial freedoms to meet the rising challenges facing the industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said.<br /><br />While European and US carriers have scaled back plans, Middle East airlines – buoyed by soaring oil prices – have largely avoided the turmoil hitting the industry.<br /><br />But IATA director general and chief executive Giovanni Bisignani warned: “The oil price is falling but what we save in fuel we lose in revenue. This industry will lose $5.2 billion this year. Even the Middle East is not immune.”<br /><br />Speaking at the AGM of the Arab Air Carriers Association, he said the combined profit of airlines based in the region would fall from £300 million in 2007 to $200 million this year.<br /><br />And while traffic from the region’s carriers grew 18.1 per cent in 2007, in August this year growth dropped to just 4.3 per cent.<br /><br />“Only a handful of carriers will be profitable while the majority bleed red ink,” said Giovanni. “The region’s fleet is set to double to 1,300 aircraft over the next decade. As we enter a period of global economic uncertainty, the challenge of matching capacity to demand will be difficult.”Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-13667445078650670662008-10-18T16:49:00.003+01:002008-11-06T23:23:13.139+00:00Aer Arann to axe quarter of workforceAer Arann to axe quarter of workforce<br /><br />Irish budget airline Aer Arann is planning to cut 100 jobs – a quarter of its workforce – owing to the “difficult operating environment”.<br /><br />The group said in a statement: “Aer Arann is committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to ensure the company’s viability and long-term development.”<br /><br />The carrier employs 380 staff and operates 40 routes across Europe.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-73185213707201633222008-10-16T23:20:00.000+01:002008-11-06T23:21:59.469+00:00Spanair to lay off 90 pilotsSpanair to lay off 90 pilots <br /><br />Spanair is to lay off 90 pilots as it looks to counter the global economic slowdown.<br /><br />The airline, a Spanish subsidiary of Scandinavian airline SAS, agreed the job cuts with Spanish labour union Sepla. It is part of a plan to reduce operations in the Spanish destinations of Majorca, Tenerife, Alicante, Bilbao and Malaga and the Canary Islands.<br /><br />Spanair has been hit hard by the global economic slowdown and higher fuel costs, while in August, more than 150 people died in the company’s worst air disaster in Madrid.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-68413324226084469612008-10-14T23:01:00.000+01:002008-11-06T23:19:55.590+00:00Jet Airways lays off cabin crewJet Airways lays off cabin crew <br /><br /> Jet Airways has laid off 800 employees as it cuts flights amid soaring costs. <br /><br />India’s largest private airline said cabin crew hired for a planned expansion programme, which had been suspended, would lose their jobs. <br /><br />Jet said it expected to cut more jobs. Its announcement follows a recent cost-cutting alliance with India’s second largest private airline, Kingfisher. <br /><br />The two airlines, which have nearly 60 per cent of the market in India, said the rise in the price of jet fuel by a quarter this year was a major factor in wanting to join forces in order to cut costs. <br /><br />“As a first step, around 800 flight attendants, recently recruited for the planned expansion programme, which has now been suspended, have been released,” Jet Airways said in a statement. <br /><br />“The other categories include probationary and unconfirmed personnel in other areas, including cockpit crew and management personnel, to reflect the lower number of flights and seats offered.”<br /><br />The airline said it will be offering 15 per cent fewer flights than scheduled this winter because of “declining traffic volumes”.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-19068935450283461812008-10-12T23:18:00.000+01:002008-11-06T23:19:02.794+00:00Airline bankruptcies “to double”Airline bankruptcies “to double” <br /><br /> The number of airline bankruptcies around the world this year is set to double over the winter to at least 70, a leading industry body has warned.<br /><br />Mike Ambrose, director general of the European Regional Airlines industry body, said: “We are now up to around 35 (bankruptcies) this year. I see at least that number over the winter.”<br /><br />He said that the current climate for airlines was “far more significant, far more far-reaching” than the period after September 11, describing 2008 as a “year from hell”.<br /><br />He called for a lower regulatory burden for airlines, estimating that a European scheme to make airlines pay for carbon emissions could add six million euros a year to a typical regional airline.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-83992353002801327852008-10-10T23:13:00.003+01:002008-11-06T23:15:01.496+00:00Wing flaps caused Madrid crashWing flaps caused Madrid crash <br /><br /> The Spanair jet that crashed in August had faulty wing flaps and a warning system that failed to sound, an initial report has found. <br /><br />The MD-82 plane reached an altitude of just 12m (40ft) before flopping back down on to its tail and careering off the runway. It shot across 1km of scrub before falling into a ravine and bursting into flames at Madrid’s airport, killing 154 people on board.<br /><br />The investigators’ preliminary report does not apportion blame, saying that the pilots carried out routine checks. <br /><br />The investigators, who studied voice and flight data recorders, found no evidence of prior engine problems and concluded that the plane had caught fire only after hitting the ground. <br /><br />It is unclear why the wing flaps failed to deploy, but the error was compounded by the failure of the cockpit alert system, which should have sounded a warning to the pilots. <br /><br />A judge will now decide whether anyone can be held criminally responsible.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3447180486972672399.post-30429688567549850732008-10-08T11:29:00.000+01:002008-11-06T23:08:31.974+00:00BA to launch St Kitts serviceBA to launch St Kitts service <br /><br /> British Airways has underlined its commitment to the Caribbean by launching flights to the idyllic Caribbean islands of St Kitts and Nevis this winter. <br /><br />BA has more flights to the Caribbean than any other UK carrier. This will be further enhanced by weekly flights on Saturdays from Gatwick to St Kitts starting on January 10, 2009. <br /><br />Adam Daniels, head of leisure sales, said: “The introduction of St Kitts as a British Airways route means we now operate to 11 destinations in the Caribbean. <br /><br />“The region is performing extremely well for us. Our customers also tell us that they feel secure flying with an airline with an established heritage and longevity in the market in these turbulent times.”<br /><br />Other route news from the airline also includes increasing flights to Dubai and Johannesburg next summer and moving Atlanta and Toulouse services from Gatwick to Heathrow Terminal 5. Heathrow flights to Dubai increase from 14 to 20 each week from March 29 next year, while flights from Heathrow to Johannesburg will increase from 14 to 19 each week from May 1, 2009. <br /><br />Atlanta is the latest US destination that the airline is moving from Gatwick to Heathrow following the ‘open skies’ agreement. Daily flights head to Heathrow from March 29, 2009.<br /><br />Toulouse flights will also move from Gatwick to Heathrow on March 29, 2009, with two flights each day to the Rose City.Capitanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531184073198632524noreply@blogger.com0