Private Jets Charter News

AirAsia Philippines to launch in 3Q2011, subject to approvals

AirAsia has announced its fully owned subsidiary, AirAsia International Ltd, has entered into a partnership agreement to establish a low-cost airline JV in the Philippines.

ACCC tentatively approves Virgin Blue-Etihad alliance for five years; advantages for both

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today issued its draft determination which would authorise an alliance between Virgin Blue and Etihad. Under the alliance, Virgin Blue and Etihad plan to cooperate on joint pricing and scheduling of services across their networks. The alliance will...

Virgin Blue boosted by alliance approvals; SIA load factors weaken; AirAsia Philippines confirmed

Virgin Blue shares soared 5.9% to AUD0.45 cents at close of trading yesterday, marking the largest gain since 07-Dec-2010. Air New Zealand shares strengthened 1.4% to NZD1.45, its highest close since 12-Apr-2010.

World’s airports report robust traffic results in Oct-2010; on track for full-year growth of 6%

Global airport passenger traffic was “very robust” in Oct-2010 according to Airports Council International (ACI), which added that passenger demand grew markedly in the month. Full-year growth is expected to hold above 6%, an “excellent” result following a 2% slump in 2009.

Alaska Air forecasting lowered CASM on increased capacity; Southwest up; Republic Airways tumbles

Alaska Air (+1.7%) made one of the few gains among North and South American airlines on Friday (17-Dec-2010) after forecasting a 3-4% year-on-year decline in costs per ASM excluding fuel for FY2010, to between USD8.80 cents and USD8.82 cents. Capacity for the full year is also expected to improve, with...

Turkish Airlines looks to expand in 2011; Lufthansa slips; Aeroflot makes marginal gain

Turkish Airlines (-2.8%) was one of the biggest falls of the day, despite stating during trading it plans to add 20 widebody aircraft to its fleet in 2011. The new aircraft are expected to help the carrier lift turnover to in excess of USD8 billion next year.

Southwest Airlines’ purchase of AirTran to close in 2Q2011

Southwest Airlines stated on Friday that its planned USD1.4 billion acquisition of AirTran Airways is expected to receive Justice Department approval in 2Q2011. The airline had previously stated the agreement was likely to close in the first half.

Air Mauritius takes delivery of third ATR72; Kenya Airways launches Rome-Nairobi service

Air Mauritius (-0.6%) took delivery of its third ATR 72 aircraft on 18-Dec-2010.

ACI releases annual airport economics survey for 2010; Hainan Meilan shares up 4.3%

ACI released (17-Dec-2010) its annual airport economics survey for 2010, which showed that of the 646 reporting airports, 165 (25%) reported a net loss in 2009. At the EBITDA level, 35 airports, (6%) reported losses in 2009. ACI's 2010 survey also reported the following financial highlights in 2009:

Cebu Pacific and AirAsia fall, Philippine Airlines gains

Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) shares jumped 5% on Friday, shrugging off a 1.2% fall on the Philippine Stock Exchange. It was PAL’s biggest daily gain since 24-Nov-2010 reversing a 10% slide in the stock after AirAsia announced plans for a local JV. The Philippine Board of Investments approved AirAsia...

Security, cancellations to cost US airlines: View from America Pt I

While it is no surprise that the new Transportation Security Administration’s measures have created a world-wide furore – including a couple of diplomatic incidents – rising concern over the new procedures has prompted many to wonder if it is not time to overhaul transportation security.

Kenya Airways expands European network, Royal Jordanian resumes Heathrow services

Kenya Airways has expanded its European network by commencing services to Rome on 17-Dec-2010.

TAM and GOL gain, COPA eases. US carriers horde cash

Shares in TAM and GOL rose 2.2% and 2.3%, respectively, shrugging off a 1.06% fall in the Brazilian Bovespa index yesterday.

Boeing to raise B777 production, OECD reaches compromise on export credit financing

Boeing announced production for the B777 programme will increase to 8.3 aircraft per month in 1Q2013. This is the second production increase announced for the programme this year.

Virgin Blue’s financial chief resigns

Virgin Blue Group Chief Financial Officer, Keith Neate, has announced his resignation from the carrier, effective 31-Mar-2011, after seven years with the Australian carrier. He cited personal reasons in his decision to move on.

European airline stocks mostly lower on bad weather

European airline shares defied broader market gains yesterday, as investor concerns over the poor weather and transport chaos outweighed positive sentiment elsewhere.

Malaysia Airports’ traffic up, Abertis gains on bid speculation

Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) reported healthy increases in international passenger numbers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) during Oct-2010.

Singapore Airlines heads back to China: cargo unit acquires stake in China Eastern’s cargo venture

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is dipping its toe back in the water in China after a tumultuous – and ultimately unsuccessful – attempt to buy a 24% stake in China Eastern Airlines in 2007/08. The airline’s cargo arm has agreed to acquire a 16% stake in China Cargo Airlines, the cargo subsidiary of...

Chinese airlines slump, Taiwan carriers jump. SIA Cargo buys into China Cargo Airlines

Mainland Chinese airline stocks slumped yesterday as the Shanghai Stock Market fell on concerns about rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Security needs to pass intelligence test: View from America Pt II

What perhaps sticks in the public craw more than anything to do with the recent furore over the new Transportation Security Administration’s body scanner/pat-down procedures, is the certain knowledge that terrorists have won, regardless of all the layers of security piled on.

Southwest, AirTran deal to be approved, questions remain

Based on Department of Justice statements in past US airline mergers, the proposed Southwest acquisition of AirTran - the first merger between US low-cost carriers - will likely gain approval, according to a new White Paper published by the American Antitrust Institute. What is interesting is the fact...

Baggage fees climb, Continental introduces FareLock

In what could blunt government criticism of the airline industry’s alleged anti-consumer practices with ancillary fees, Continental has introduced 'FareLock' which promises to become a popular option for travelers.

US update – 2011 a make or break year for airport privatisation

Almost two years after the privatisation by lease of Chicago’s Midway Airport fell through, 2011 will be a ‘make or break’ year for those who would like to see more US airports attracting private capital and management (and there are plenty that don’t). Conversely, there are signs that at least...

Wide-reaching recommendations from Future Aviation Advisory Committee - more studies and spending

Guaranteeing that the 23 recommendations made last Wednesday by the Future of Aviation Advisory Committee (FAAC) will not sit on a shelf, US Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, said he would name a full-time point person in his office to oversee their implementation, assigning a timeline...

Airbus projects more narrowbodies, keeps large aircraft target intact

Airbus’ latest 20-year Global Market Forecast has continued the trend of steady annual upward revisions to the long-term outlook. The manufacturer has revised its growth forecast for 2010 to 2029 from 4.7% to 4.8%, and consequently upped its forecast to almost 26,000 passenger and freighter aircraft...

Wellington Airport’s foundations built firmly on 'The Rock'

Traffic at New Zealand’s Wellington Airport is set to double over the next 20 years, according to CEO Steven Fitzgerald. Despite being the gateway to the country’s capital city, Wellington Airport, which is part-owned by investor Infratil and bills itself as the ‘Wild at Heart’ airport, is not...

Jetscape delivers E190-100IGW aircraft to Kenya Airways; Middle East shares up

Jetscape announced the acquisition of a new Embraer E190-100IGW aircraft and delivered it on lease to Kenya Airways (+0.6%). Its second E190 aircraft will be delivered in May-2011. Both aircraft will be leased for an eight-year term. These E190 aircraft will join Kenya Airway’s Embraer fleet of five...

Turkish Airlines to launch new carrier; Air France-KLM expecting losses of EUR30m from snow

Turkish Airlines (+2.9%) was the biggest gainer as the majority of European airline shares rose for Tuesday (21-Dec-2010). During the day it was reported that the carrier signed an MoU with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and 10 other companies to launch a new national carrier in the...

Republic boosted by analyst coverage; United Continental to cut domestic capacity in 1Q2011

Republic Airways (+4.1%) led North and South American airline stocks higher on Tuesday (21-Dec-2010) after Goldman Sachs initiated coverage of the carrier with a "buy" rating and price target of USD9.50, “representing 30+% upside from current levels”.

Skymark surges on expansion plans, Virgin Blue falls

Skymark Airlines President Shinichi Nishikubo, speaking at a Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan luncheon in Tokyo yesterday, outlined plans to almost triple its B737 fleet from 18 to up to 50 aircraft in four years to meet rising demand in the region.