Kingfisher Airlines cuts flights as it attempts to restructure

Kingfisher Airlines (Bangalore and Mumbai) is in financial difficulty. The airline, which has lost over $935 million in the past three years, is cutting flights (167 flights cut since November 8) and seeking government assistance in reorganizing according to this article by Bloomberg Businessweek. However the airline faces some of its aircraft being seized for non-payment of leases.

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Copyright Photo: Wingnut. Please click on the photo for additional information about the carrier.

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VIM Airlines to restore the Moscow-Basel/Mulhouse route but ban changes its plans

VIM Airlines (VIM Avia) (Moscow) is planning to restore the Moscow (Domodedovo)-Basle/Mulhouse/Freiburg route on December 28.

However the Federal Russian Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) has restricted European flights operated by six Russian carriers including VIM.

Besides VIM, the ban also applies to ATU (Aviastar-TU), Dagestan Airlines, Tatarstan Airlines, UTair Cargo and Yakutia Airlines.

However the VIM Airlines European flights will now be operated by its subsidiary, Bashkortostan Airlines, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia and this article by RT.

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Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems. Please click on the photo for details on VIM.

VIM Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Finnair seeks an Asian partner, eyes additional Nordic acquisitions

Fiinair (Helsinki) is seeking a partner in Asia to boost traffic at its growing HEL hub according to this article by Bloomberg Businessweek. Finnair is also evaluating further acquisitions in the Baltic area to boost the Nordic feed into the HEL hub.

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Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross.

Finnair Slide Show: CLICK HERE

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SAS sells 13 MD-80 aircraft to Allegiant Air

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) announced today it has has entered into a sales agreement with Sunrise Asset Management, LLC, to sell 13 DC-9-82/-83/-87 aircraft and an additional 12 spare engines.

Sunrise Asset Management is an affiliate of Allegiant Air (Las Vegas).

According to SAS, “the order value is slightly above $20 million (140 MSEK) which will have no effect on the result. Delivery of the aircraft and engines will commence immediately and is scheduled to be completed in February 2013.
This transaction is a further step in SASโ€™ phase-out program for the MD-80 series aircraft which are being replaced by Boeing 737NGs and Airbus A320s prior to the commencement of the A320neo aircraft ordered earlier this year. SAS has earlier sold aircraft to Allegiant and once the deliveries to Allegiant Air are completed, SAS will have sold 45 MD-80 series aircraft.”

According to Allegiant, “these purchases will primarily be used to replace engines that will be coming due for major overhauls over the next two years, thus helping the airline to optimize its engine-related maintenance expense. The agreement also allows Allegiant the flexibility to use several of the aircraft for additional MD-80 fleet growth in the future, should it decide to do so.”

Copyright Photo: Stefan Sjogren. Please click on the photo for additional information.

SAS Slide Show: CLICK HERE

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Gol has a rare quarterly loss for the third quarter

GOL Linhas Aรฉreas Inteligentes S.A. (Sao Paulo), the parent of Gol Transportes Aereos and VARIG (2nd) (VRG Linhas Aereas), reported a rare quarterly loss. For the third quarter, the company posted a net loss of R$516.5mm ($293 million) with a negative net margin of 28.0%, versus net income of R$110.0mm in 3Q10 (with a margin of 6.1%) and a net loss of R$358.7mm in 2Q11 (with a negative net margin of 22.9%). The loss was mainly due to the appreciation of the Dollar, which increased from R$1.56 at the end of 2Q11 to R$1.85 at the end of 3Q11 (an 18.8% upturn). The depreciation of the Brazilian currency generated a net expense from the foreign exchange variation of approximately R$476.4mm, as most of the Companyโ€Ÿs financial liabilities are represented in Dollars (72.4% in 3Q11).

Copyright Photo: Marcelo F. De Biasi. Please click on the photo for additional information.

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WestJet has a profitable third quarter

WestJet Airlines (Calgary) announced third quarter results for 2011. The airline reported net earnings of C$39.3 million ($38.8 million US), or 28 cents per share; compared to third quarter 2010 net earnings of $43.8 million or 30 cents per share.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography.

WestJet Slide Show: CLICK HERE

DirectAir starts Lakeland-Plattsburgh flights

DirectAir (Myrtle Beach) yesterday (November 10) launched Lakeland (near Orlando)-Plattsburgh, NY flights. The flights are operated by Sky King Airlines (Lakeland) which replaced Dynamic Airways. Previously DirectAir dropped the Lakeland-Myrtle Beach-Hagerstown route due to low loads. From LAL, DirectAir also flies to Niagara Falls, NY and Springfield, IL and will launch a Lakeland-San Juan route next spring.

Read the full report from The Ledger: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Please click on the photo for additional information.

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American Airlines and QANTAS receive final approval to launch Joint Business Agreement

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and QANTAS Airways (Sydney) yesterday (November 10) welcomed the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) final approval of the airlines’ trans-Pacific joint business agreement (JBA), which will allow the carriers to coordinate services between the United States , Australia and New Zealand.

With all relevant regulatory approvals, both airlines can now begin working together on the following:

  • Joint strategic planning and management of trans-Pacific services and ‘behind and beyond’ services within Australia / New Zealand and North America
  • Improvement of flight schedules, frequencies and connection times to benefit Qantas and American customers
  • Joint pricing initiatives resulting in more competitive fares and new fare products, as well as joint marketing of services
  • Increased opportunities for customers of each airline to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles/points on services operated by the other
  • A streamlined offering for corporate customers and for travel agents
  • The ability to coordinate pricing for the sale of Australia and New Zealand package destinations by AA Vacations, American’s outlet for discount vacation packages

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum.

American Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Allegiant launches Appleton-Mesa flights

Allegiant Air (Las Vegas) yesterday (November 10) inaugurated nonstop flights between Appleton, Wisconsin and Mesa, Arizona (near Phoenix).

The new flights will operate twice weekly between the Outagamie County Regional Airport (ATW) and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA) with service on Thursdays and Sundays. Flights will depart Appleton at 7:35 p.m. (1935) arriving in Phoenix-Mesa at 10:30 p.m. (2230). Flights leaving Phoenix-Mesa will depart at 2:35 p.m. (1435) arriving in Appleton at 6:50 p.m. (1850) (all flight times are local). The carrier will utilize a full-size, jet aircraft on the route. Allegiant began serving the Outagamie County Regional Airport in August of 2008 with flights to Las Vegas.

Copyright Photo: Eddie Maloney. Allegiant is using its first Boeing 757-200 on the McAllen and Rockford routes from Las vegas.

Allegiant Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Lufthansa announces a major expansion in Berlin

Lufthansa (Frankfurt) has announced a major expansion for Berlin as the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (Willy Brandt) is set to open on June 3, 2012.

Lufthansa is planning to add 30 new destinations from Berlin in the summer of 2012.

Lufthansa’s Berlin fleet is set to grow from the current nine aircraft to 15 aircraft.

According to the airline, “currently the Lufthansa Group and its partner airlines account for a quarter of the 21 million passengers in Berlin. To increase this share substantially, the Group will deploy a total of 35 aircraft on routes to and from Berlin from the summer of 2012.”

Lufthansa will assign 15 A320 family aircraft at the new BER Airport. Altogether, 23 Airbus aircraft (A321, A320, A319) will fly from Berlin under the Lufthansa brand. The LH flights will be supplemented by flights operated by other members of the Lufthansa Group – Germanwings, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and bmi – bringing the total number of Lufthansa Group aircraft on routes to and from Berlin to 35.

LH will add 28 new European destinations and two new Middle Eastern destinations from BER. The new schedule will commence on June 3, 2012 and includes a total of 38 nonstop Lufthansa flights.

New LH nonstop destinations include Valencia, Bologna and Birmingham.

As a sign of its commitment to Berlin, Lufthansa will name its next A380 after the German capital. The aircraft with the registration of D-AIMI is expected to be delivered to Lufthansa in April 2012 and is due to carry the name of Berlin out into the world as soon as the airport is inaugurated. The A380 is planned to take off on the first scheduled Lufthansa flight as part of the official opening ceremony on June 3, 2012.

Lufthansa Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael Stappen.