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Globespan, the group behind low-cost airline Flyglobespan, is looking to expand its business in of Edinburgh next year when four more aircraft begin operating in and out of the Capital.

Tom Dalrymple, the founder and chairman of the Colinton-headquartered group, outlined plans as the company revealed its latest results.

While not revealing any specific timetable or targeted routes, Mr Dalrymple said he was aiming to run four Boeing 737-700s from Edinburgh by 2008.

source: Scotsman

Delta Air Lines Inc. expects to emerge from bankruptcy April 30 with an eye on returning to profitability, improving customer service and selling more assets to build shareholder value, the company said in documents prepared for an investor conference Tuesday.

The nation’s third largest carrier did not say in the documents what assets it plans to sell. The documents were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The filing suggested Delta slightly moved up the date of the company’s planned emergence from Chapter 11 protection. It had said in a statement March 20 it expected to emerge from bankruptcy in early May.

Australia-based LCC Jetstar has begun its flights between Japan and Australia, launching the new international route with a celebration at the Sydney International Airport.

The airline will be flying between Sydney and Osaka and returning to Sydney via Brisbane and is expected to fly up to 2100 passengers per week between the destinations. The flights will be operated by a fleet of Airbus A330-200 aircraft with two classes of service.

“‘Jetstar’s expanding international operators out of Western Japan forms part of the Qantas Group’s continued focus on two airline brands for future growth and sustainable operations,’” said Jetstar CEO Alan Joyce. “J’etstar’s growing retail presence in both Kansai and Chubu regions will be underpinned by a direct marketing spend by the carrier of over AUD$10 million.’”

The Mexican government suspended operations of Lineas Aereas Azteca on Monday because the budget airline failed to comply with administrative and technical procedures.

At a news conference, Communications and Transport Minister Luiz Tellez said inspections carried out oMarch 5-23 turned up problems in safety procedures and obligatory training for pilots, technicians and maintenance personnel.

source: Hemscott

German airline Air Berlin said on Tuesday it had agreed to buy charter carrier LTU. The purchase price for the 100 percent participation in LTU is 140 million euros ($185.8 million), Air Berlin said in a stamenent.

The agreement is subject to the approval of the Federal Cartel Office. The acquisition will be financed through the issuance of new shares and convertible bonds in an expected total amount of about 250 million euros.

source: Reuters

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, today launches its first flights of the summer season, bringing a total of 13 brand new routes to travellers in the UK to key domestic and European destinations.

Following the recent acquisition of BA Connect, Flybe customers across the regions can also take advantage of a number of additional domestic and international destinations, and will see a significant price saving on these routes of £19 per passenger.

source: Easier

Spanish carrier Iberia is increasing its presence at New York JFK. Air Transport World writes the carrier will boost its service between New York JFK and Madrid “‘to 14-times-weekly from 10 beginning March 25. It also will begin using A340-600s on the route, raising overall capacity 68 percent compared to the winter season.'”

source: Delaware Online

Swiss International Air Lines will be offering its customers tasty treats from Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland this spring. The new inflight attraction is the latest chapter in the airline’s innovative “‘SWISS Taste of Switzerland’” culinary concept, which focuses on its home country’s varied regional cuisine.

Manfred Roth, chef de cuisine at the renowned Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotels & Spa, will be offering SWISS’s inflight customers culinary delights from Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland from mid March onwards. SWISS will be serving the new exclusive meals to its Swiss First and Swiss Business passengers on long-haul services from Switzerland (and also on selected inbound flights). Swiss Business customers on longer European flights departing from Switzerland will also be able to sample these regional specialities.

source: Easier

LAN Chile Airlines has signed a firm contract with Airbus for the acquisition of 15 additional A320 Family aircraft. This is a confirmation of the options that were announced in October 2005.

“‘We are proud to take part in the tremendous growth of LAN in the Latin American region'” said Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers, John Leahy. “‘The A320 Family is clearly the winner in its category, and this repeat order from a prestigious airline like LAN really endorses the superiority of our product.'”

source: Mercopress

Romanian integration into the European Union has generated over 50% surge in the number of passengers using low-cost airlines on the local market, while established airline companies saw a growth of 10-20%. TAROM, the biggest established airline operator on the local market, saw a 10% increase in the number of passengers using external flights in the first two months of the year, against the same period in 2007, as well as a 25% rise for domestic flights, according to company representatives. “The number of Blue Air passengers increased by 148% at the beginning of 2007, against the figures recorded in January 2006.

source: zf.ro