news about cheap fares and airlines from travel search engine Trabber

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

Malaysia Airlines said Wednesday it was disappointed with further delays in the delivery of Airbus A380 superjumbos and would assess all available alternatives.The airline has ordered six jets. Airbus said Tuesday it would push back the delivery date for the first A380 jet for the third time until the second half of 2007 due to wiring complications. The plane is now two years behind its original schedule.

source: chron.com

Budget airline Ryanair is extending its operation at Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport with 11 new destinations.
Routes to Santiago, Inverness, Wroclaw, Aberdeen, Kaunas and Ancona officially launched from the airport of Liverpool.

A further five routes – Poznan, Krakow, Tampere, Alghero and Santander – are being launched later in the week.

source: BBC

Flybe has announced that it will begin charging passengers for using traditional check-in desks within two years.

The low-cost airline wants to encourage the use of online check-in and self-service kiosks by introducing a charge for those wanting to check in the regular way.

source: cheapflight.co.uk