Tag Archives: Anchorage

New York Times looks at the winter weather challenges of Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) was favorably examined by the New York Times and the challenges it faces including flying in tough winter conditions in Alaska.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Brandon Farris. Boeing 737-890 N569AS (msn 35184) in the “Starliner 75” (75th Anniversary) scheme arrives at Anchorage in the low winter light and its snowy conditions.

Alaska Airlines:

Delta to expand service to Montana for the summer season

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will offer new and expanded summer service from Montana to Atlanta and Los Angeles, effective on June 22, 2013.

The new service changes include:

Atlanta to Bozeman expanded from twice per week to three weekly
Atlanta to Kalispell expanded from once per week to twice weekly
New Saturday service from Atlanta to Missoula
New Saturday service from Los Angeles to Bozeman

Delta’s new service between Atlanta and Bozeman, Kalispell and Missoula, will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The fourth flight, between Bozeman and Los Angeles, will be operated by Delta Connection carrier SkyWest Airlines (St. George) using a 76-seat two-class Bombardier CRJ900.

Returning summer seasonal service between Atlanta and Bozeman will operate Wednesdays and Saturdays on a Boeing 757-200, while Atlanta-Kalispell service will operate Saturdays on Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Delta has served Montana since 1927 and offers more flights statewide than any other airline. During the peak summer travel season, Delta serves eight Montana communities with more than 1,300 monthly departures and offers 54 percent more seats than its largest competitor. In 2012, the airline carried 1.3 million passengers to and from Montana.

Montana markets Delta provides service include: Butte, Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula and West Yellowstone.

Delta’s new and returning summer seasonal flights in Montana are scheduled as follows:

Bozeman/Atlanta Operated on a Boeing 737-800

Departs	Arrives	Service Dates	Frequency
Atlanta – 2:55 p.m.	5:05 p.m.	June 22-Aug. 24	Saturday Only
Bozeman – 8:15 a.m.	2:00 p.m.	June 23-Aug. 25	Sunday Only

Bozeman/Atlanta Operated on a Boeing 757-200

Departs	Arrives	Service Dates	Frequency
Atlanta – 11:00 a.m.	1:10 p.m.	June 22-Aug. 31	Wednesday/Saturday
Bozeman – 2:00 p.m.	7:47 p.m.	June 22-Aug. 31	Wednesday/Saturday

Bozeman/Los Angeles Operated by Delta Connection carrier Skywest on a CRJ900

Departs	Arrives	Service Dates	Frequency
Los Angeles – 9:00 a.m.	12:15 p.m.	June 22-Aug. 24	Saturday Only
Bozeman – 12:50 p.m.	2:05 p.m.	June 22-Aug. 24	Saturday Only

Kalispell/Atlanta Operated on a Boeing 737-800

Departs	Arrives	Service Dates	Frequency
Atlanta – 3:00 p.m.	5:38 p.m.	June 22-Aug. 24	Saturday Only
Kalispell – 8:00 a.m.	2:07 p.m.	June 23-Aug. 25	Sunday Only

Kalispell/Atlanta Operated on a Boeing 737-800

Departs	Arrives	Service Dates	Frequency
Atlanta – 9:50 a.m.	12:28 p.m.	June 22-Aug. 31	Saturday Only
Kalispell – 1:10 p.m.	7:17 p.m.	June 22-Aug. 31	Saturday Only

Missoula/Atlanta Operated on a Boeing 737-800

Departs	Arrives	Service Dates	Frequency
Atlanta – 10:25 a.m.	1:03 p.m.	June 22-Aug. 31	Saturday Only
Missoula – 1:45 p.m.	7:51 p.m.	June 22-Aug. 31	Saturday Only

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 757-232 N610FL (msn 22817), formerly the pink Breast Cancer Awareness 757 aircraft, climbs away from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC).

Delta Air Lines:

Delta Connection-SkyWest Airlines:

Alaska Airlines to add summer service between Fairbanks and Portland, Oregon

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) announced today it will add a nonstop, daily flight between Fairbanks, Alaska, and Portland, Oregon, starting on June 9 through September 2, 2013. The Portland-Seattle/Tacoma-Fairbanks-Anchorage route was the original historic jet route for the company.

	Summary of new flights:

Start Date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency	End Date

June 9	Portland-Fairbanks	8:05 p.m.	11:05 p.m.	Daily	Sept 1, 2013

June 10	Fairbanks-Portland	12:15 a.m.	5:04 a.m.	Daily	Sept 2, 2013

	All times based on local time zones

Alaska Airlines:

UPS reports record earnings per share

UPS (United Parcel Service) (UPS Airlines) (Atlanta and Louisville) announced record 2012 fourth quarter and full year adjusted diluted earnings per share of $1.32 and $4.53 respectively, with the U.S. Domestic segment leading the way. The company generated annual free cash flow of approximately $5.4 billion, a testament to operations execution and the emphasis UPS places on capital efficiency. UPS estimates that Hurricane Sandy reduced earnings per share by approximately $0.05.

UPS recorded a fourth quarter mark-to-market, non-cash, after-tax charge of $3.0 billion for its company-sponsored pension and post-retirement benefit plans. Although the plans exceeded their expected rate of return, these incremental gains were more than offset by a 120 basis point decline in year-end discount rates. As a result, on a GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share for the quarter fell to a loss of $1.83. For the full year, reported diluted earnings per share were $0.83. This adjustment does not affect cash flow, required pension funding or benefits paid to plan participants.

UPS expects full year earnings per share to be within a range of $4.80 – $5.06, an increase of 6-to-12% compared to 2012 adjusted results. The company also raised guidance for 2013 share repurchases from $1.5 billion to $4.0 billion.

Adjusted

Consolidated Results

4Q 2012

4Q 2011

Revenue

$14.57 B

$14.17 B

Operating profit (loss)

($2.78 B

)

$2.05 B

$1.20 B

$2.02 B

Operating margin

(19.1 %

)

14.1 %

8.4 %

14.3 %

Average volume per day

18.8 M

18.3 M

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

($1.83

)

$1.32

$0.74

$1.28

During the year, UPS delivered more than four billion packages. For the quarter, it delivered 18.8 million pieces per day, an increase of 2.9% over the prior-year period.

Overall consumer spending for holiday shopping fell slightly below expectations, however; UPS still delivered more than 500 million packages, including almost 28 million on its peak day, both new records.

Cash Position

For the year ending Dec. 31, UPS generated $5.4 billion in free cash flow after capital expenditures of $2.2 billion. UPS repurchased 21.8 million shares for approximately $1.6 billion and paid dividends totaling $2.1 billion, up 9.6% per share.

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. Boeing 747-45E (BCF) N579UP (msn 26062) climbs away from Anchorage International Airport (ANC).

UPS-United Parcel Service:

UPS to drop its bid to acquire TNT Express due to expected EC disapproval

United Parcel Service Inc (UPS) (UPS Airlines) (Atlanta and Louisville) will drop its bid to acquire TNT Express N.V. (Hoofddorp) because it now expects the European Commission (EC) to deny the acquisition.

On March 19, 2012, UPS announced its intention to acquire TNT Express for $6.7 billion. On September 5, 2012, UPS announced it expected to close the deal in early 2013 subject to EC approval.

UPS will pay TNT a termination fee in the amount of EUR 200 million.

TNT Airways (Liege) is a subsidiary of TNT Express. TNT is now expected to remain independent.

UPS issued the following statement:

United Parcel Service, Inc. announced today (January 14) the European Commission (EC) has informed UPS and TNT Express that it is working on a decision to prohibit the proposed acquisition of TNT Express.

UPS submitted an initial remedies proposal on November 29, 2012 and subsequently revised the proposal twice. UPS began the competitive review process with the EC in March 2012.

Scott Davis, UPS Chairman and CEO said, “We are extremely disappointed with the EC’s position. We proposed significant and tangible remedies designed to address the EC’s concerns with the transaction. The combined company would have been transformative for the logistics industry, bringing meaningful benefits to consumers and customers around the world, while supporting growth in Europe in particular.”

Upon prohibition by the EC, the Offer Condition relating to EU Competition Clearance will not be fulfilled and UPS will pay TNT a termination fee in the amount of EUR 200 million and will withdraw the Offer.

Further announcements will be made once the European Commission has issued its formal decision. The decision is expected to be adopted formally in the coming weeks.

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 747-44AF N572UP (msn 35669) climbs away from Anchorage International Airport (ANC).

UPS:

TNT:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Rainer Bexten. Southern Air’s Boeing 777-FHT N778SA (msn 39286) arrives at the Liege, Belgium sorting facility.

FedEx’s 2Q net income slips to $438 million, down 12% from last year’s $497 million, orders four Boeing 767-300 freighters

FedEx Corporation (FedEx Express) (Memphis) today reported earnings of $1.39 per diluted share for the second quarter ended November 30, compared to $1.57 per share last year. Superstorm Sandy impacted the quarter’s results by $0.11 per diluted share due to reduced shipment volumes and incremental operating costs.

Second Quarter Results:

FedEx Corp. reported the following consolidated results for the second quarter:

• Revenue of $11.1 billion, up 5% from $10.6 billion the previous year

• Operating income of $718 million, down 8% from $780 million last year

• Operating margin of 6.5%, down from 7.4% the previous year

• Net income of $438 million, down 12% from last year’s $497 million

The results of the quarter also reflect, primarily at FedEx Express, the net year-over-year negative impact from the timing lag that exists between when fuel prices change and indexed fuel surcharges automatically adjust.

FedEx Express Segment:

For the second quarter, the FedEx Express segment reported:

• Revenue of $6.86 billion, up 4% from last year’s $6.58 billion

• Operating income of $230 million, down 33% from $342 million a year ago

• Operating margin of 3.4%, down from 5.2% the previous year

Revenue increased primarily due to this year’s business acquisitions and growth at FedEx Trade Networks, as core express revenue growth was constrained by global economic conditions and the impact of Superstorm Sandy.

U.S. domestic revenue per package grew 1% as higher rate per pound was partially offset by lower fuel surcharges. U.S. domestic average daily package volume declined 2%. FedEx international export average daily package volume grew 6% driven by increases in FedEx International Economy^®(IE) from Europe and Asia and by increases in FedEx International Priority^® (IP) from Asia. Higher growth in international deferred services continued, with IE volume growing 14%, while IP volume increased 3% during the quarter. International export revenue per package fell 4% due to the demand shift toward lower-yielding international services and lower fuel surcharges.

Operating income and margin were lower due to the demand shift toward lower-yielding international services, the negative year-over-year impact of net fuel changes, increased depreciation expense, the effects of Superstorm Sandy and higher pension costs. These were partially offset by the favorable impact of cost containment actions.

FedEx Express has entered into an agreement to purchase four additional 767-300 freighters as part of the company’s continued fleet modernization efforts. This brings the total 767-300 orders to 50, with deliveries beginning in fiscal 2014. In concert with this commitment, two 777 freighter deliveries were deferred from fiscal 2015 to fiscal 2016 in order to better match capacity timing to global demand.

FedEx Express:

UPS and TNT Express send their merger “remedies” paperwork to the European Commission

United Parcel Service, Inc. (Atlanta and Louisville) and TNT Express N.V. (Hoofddorp) (TNT Airways) have announced, in line with Dutch disclosure requirements, that remedies have been submitted to obtain competition clearance from the European Commission (EC) for the acquisition of TNT Express by UPS. The offer of remedies does not change the terms and conditions of the Offer by UPS for TNT Express.

The proposed remedies aim to address the EC’s concerns regarding the competitive effects of the intended merger on the international express small package market in Europe. UPS and TNT Express continue to be fully committed to the merger and are working closely with the EC in order to gain competition clearance allowing completion of the transaction in early 2013. As part of the approval process, the EC will market-test the remedies on a confidential basis.

The proposed remedies comprise the sale of business activities and assets in combination with granting access to air capabilities. Eligible buyers of these activities will have to ensure the long-term viability of the divested activities and continuity of customer service.

No further details of the confidential discussions or proposed remedies will be revealed at this stage. The discussions are ongoing, which means that the offered remedies may be subject to change.

UPS and TNT Express believe their merger will help create a more efficient logistics market, thereby improving the competitiveness of Europe and the solutions offered to businesses and consumers. Customers and consumers will benefit from a broader portfolio of services and better global access, along with lower supply-chain costs overall and improved service levels in terms of timing and reliability.

UPS and TNT Express value their employees highly. Both UPS and TNT Express will follow the required consultation and advice procedures with their works councils with regard to these remedies.

In accordance with EU Merger Regulation, the timing of the remedies submission extends the EC’s review period by 15 business days to February 5, 2013.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. UPS’ Boeing 747-44AF N571UP (msn 35668) climbs away from Anchorage International Airport.

UPS-United Parcel Service:

TNT Airways:

Nippon Cargo Airlines is coming to Dallas/Fort Worth

Nippon Cargo Airlines-NCA (Tokyo) has announced it will launch new freighter flights connecting Tokyo’s Narita International Airport and DFW International Airport, starting November 5. Nippon Cargo’s twice weekly flights will be the first direct freighter connections for the Dallas/Fort Worth area into Japan, and will bolster DFW cargo lift capacity to Asia while also providing a new connection to a strategically important destination.

Nippon Cargo Airlines will operate the route from Tokyo Narita to Chicago O’Hare, then to DFW Airport, Anchorage, Alaska, and then back to Narita. Nippon Cargo Airlines will fly 747-400 aircraft on the route, and the carrier ultimately plans to phase-in 747-8’s, the most fuel-efficient planes in the industry.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Boeing 747-481F JA04KZ (msn 34283) in the special “NCA Green Freighter” scheme climbs majestically away from Anchorage International Airport.

NCA-Nippon Cargo Airlines:

Alaska starts season flights between Anchorage and Kona, Hawaii, reaches a tentative agreement with the IAMAW

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) will start nonstop seasonal service to Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii on November 10 and ends on April 7, 2013. The new service complements the airline’s year-round daily service to Honolulu and seasonal service to Maui which begins on November 4 and ends on April 14, 2013.

Summary of seasonal Anchorage-Kona flights:

Start date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency
Nov. 10-April 6	Anchorage-Kona	1:15 p.m.	7 p.m.	Saturday
Nov. 11-April 7	Kona-Anchorage	10 a.m.	5:35 p.m.	Sunday

Flights are operated with Boeing 737-800s.

In other news, Alaska Airlines and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers(IAMAW) jointly announced they have reached tentative agreement on a new six-year contract covering the carrier’s 587 ramp service and stores agents. The agreement includes wage increases of 10 percent over the life of the contract, long-term incentive bonuses, and job security and improved productivity provisions.

Negotiations between the airline and union began in February and culminated in agreement on a proposed contract two months before the current pact becomes amendable. Ratification vote results are expected by August 1, 2012. If approved, the new contract would become amendable in July 2018.

Alaska Airlines:

Atlas Air flies first Boeing 747-400F into the new Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport

Atlas Air Boeing 747-47UF N492MC (msn 29253) ANC (Tony Storck), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (AAWW) (New York) confirmed the successful operation on October 14 of the first scheduled freighter service into the new Dubai World Central (DWC)-Al Maktoum International Airport on behalf of its long-standing ACMI customer, Panalpina Group.

Atlas Air’s Boeing 747-400 freighter flight initiates a new controlled air freight service by Panalpina. The service will include two weekly flights into Dubai as part of a round-the-world rotation connecting Luxembourg, Dubai, South Africa, Hong Kong, North America and Latin America.

In addition, a second Atlas Air 747-400 freighter is helping Panalpina inaugurate new express service between Huntsville, AL, and São Paulo, Brazil, enhancing connections between Asia, North America and Latin America.