Low-cost carrier AirAsiaâ??s chief executive officer has ruled out plans of establishing a budget long-haul airline.
AirAsia chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes scotched a report that the carrierâ??s management team was behind the new airline and would submit a business plan to the Government.
source: mtravel
Most U.S. airlines are expected to post handsome profits when they report third-quarter earnings this month, marking a long-awaited pullout from five years of painful restructuring and $40 billion in losses since 2000. The turnaround is the result of widespread layoffs and ruthless cost-cutting, not to mention half a dozen major bankruptcies. But U.S. carriers have also been the surprise beneficiaries of soaring overseas demand for modern jets, which has allowed troubled carriers to shed unneeded airplanes and tackle one of the industry’s chronic problems: too many seats.
source: US News
The United States and the European Union worked out a tentative deal Friday that will allow anti-terrorist officials in the United States to collect personal data on travelers flying to the United States from Europe while simultaneously ensuring the data-sharing would not violate EU rules on privacy.
The new deal succeeds a 2004 pact that was overturned by an EU court in May and was agreed to after a nine-hour videoconference Thursday. Both the U.S. and EU governments need to formally approve the deal, expected to occur as early as next week.
Major U.S. carrier Northwest Airlines has placed a firm order for 36 Embraer 175 planes, with options for many more.The aircraft will be configured for 76 seats in dual-class configuration, 12 first-class seats and 64 coach class.
Northwest also acquired options for another 36 aircraft of the same type and as many as 100 ‘rolling purchase rights.’
The new jets will be operated by Northwest`s regional subsidiary Compass Airlines and will fly under the Northwest Airlink brand name.
fuente: monstersandcritics.com
Alitalia SpA chief executive Giancarlo Cimoli said the troubled state-controlled airline cannot survive with its current cost structure and existing industry rules, the daily Il Sole 24 Ore reported citing a company document sent to parliament.
According to the document, Alitalia cannot generate a return on invested capital and the more it operates flights the more money it loses.
The document criticised airport and regulatory inefficiencies, as well as ‘unfair competitive advantages’ enjoyed by low-cost airlines.
source: Forbes
A low-cost airline planning flights from Liverpool in England to New York has announced that it will be flying to John F. Kennedy International instead of Newark Liberty.
Flyglobespan is set to begin direct daily service between the two cities next May’, ‘but has altered its destination airport stateside because it will provide greater convenience for passengers.
source: Cheapflight.com
Low-cost airline Ryanair has unveiled an offer worth £1 billion to buy the Irish carrier Aer Lingus.
Chief executive Michael O’Leary said the move represented a “unique opportunity” to form a strong airline for Ireland with more than 50 million passengers annually.
Ryanair has already acquired a 16% stake in Aer Lingus – which was listed on the stock market last month – and will make an offer for the rest in a move valuing the carrier at £1 billion.
source: SouthLondon.co.uk
JetBlue Airways, a low-cost airline known for its passenger amenities, has made no secret that it would like to serve Chicago. Now it’s taking steps to make that happen.
The New York-based carrier has asked the Federal Aviation Administration for landing rights at O’Hare International Airport, offering to bring lower fares to an airport dominated by the nation’s two largest airlines.
source: Chicago Tribune
The European Commission said Greece must apply ‘quickly’ a ruling made by the EU’s highest court that the government recover aid illegally paid out to flag carrier Olympic Airlines ‘quickly’ or face further court action.
The 161Mâ?¬ of illegal aid given to Olympic since December 2002 comprised 41Mâ?¬ of restructuring aid and another 120 Mâ?¬ of operational aid, including granting the company exemption from payment of various sums the company owed to the Greek state such as VAT on fuel and airport charges.
source: Forbes
When Southwest Airlines launches its inaugural routes from Washington Dulles International on Thursday, its operations at nearby Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) could be harmed, the Baltimore Sun reports.
As the leading low-cost carrier, Southwest has a history of expanding into new markets to broaden its customer base as it follows its vastly successful and long-standing business plan of offering choice and cheap fares.
However, its latest move in starting service from a second airport nearby – just 60 miles from Baltimore – could impinge on its own local business and has led to some criticism.
Southwest has refuted these suggestions, however, pointing to its success in integrating four airports in and around the Los Angeles and southern California area.
source: Cheapflights.co.uk
