INCREASED CONGESTION IN EUROPEAN AIRPORTS
According to Eurocontrol, demand for flights in Europe will rise from 10 million today to 20.4 million by 2030. As a result, 20 of the largest airports will be congested and 2.3 million flights a year will be delayed or cancelled.
AGREEMENT FOR THE REGULATION OF CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY
The European Union Transport Committee has approved an agreement with the US on regulations of civil aviation safety. According to the agreement, airline products designed, manufactured, modified or repaired under EU or US regulations can be approved to be registered or operated under the regulations of the other side. In addition, aircraft registered or operated under EU or US regulations can be maintained by companies that are regulated by the other side.
IATA FORECASTS LOSSES OF $5.2 BILLION IN 2008
28 scheduled carriers have gone bust in 2008. The worst affected market is the United States, with 8% of capacity cut this autumn. Third quarter figures indicate that 9 out of 12 US carriers made a loss, 11 out of 14 in Asia were loss making and in Europe 4 out of 14 were losing money on scheduled routes.
BA-QANTAS IN DISCUSSIONS FOR POTENTIAL MERGER
British Airways and Qantas are in discussions to merge the two airline operations. BA is already in discussions with Iberia and American Airlines along similar lines.
LUFTHANSA TO TAKE OVER AUSTRIAN
The Supervisory Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG has approved a bid to purchase up to 100% of the shares in Austrian Airlines. The German airline will initially acquire the 41.56% share held by Österreichische Industrieholding AG (ÖIAG) at a price of €366,000.
TRAFFIC RESULTS FOR GOL
Brazil’s low cost carrier GOL announced that in November 2008, domestic passenger traffic decreased 10.1% and capacity increased 6.7% year over year, compared to 2007. Finally, domestic load factor was 58% and international load factor was 49%.
AMR SELLS ATR FLEET
AMR Leasing Corporation sold its fleet of 39 ATR 72 which were operated by American Eagle Executive Airlines to Nordin Aviation Capital (NAC) and KIRK Kapital. The aircraft will be sold to an entity that will lease them to NK Aviation of Ireland, a joint venture between NAC and KIRK Kapital, a Danish investment company. American Eagle Executive Airlines will still operate them by leasing them back through a sublease structure.
TAM RECEIVES EASA CERTIFICATION
TAM Technological Center of Brazil has received EASA certification to conduct maintenance of A321 and A330 aircraft that are registered in Europe.
ERJ FOR AIR EUROPA
Air Europa will operate six additional Embraer ERJ 195s purchased by Globalia. The contract is valued at $237 million.
PARTNERSHIP FOR WESTJET AND MOKULELE
WestJet and Mokulele Airlines, an inter-island airline based in Hawaii, announced a partnership that will increase the number of flights for inter-island travellers.
FIRST A330 DELIVERED TO AERCAP
AerCap has received its first A330-200 and leased it to Aeroflot. Thirty A330-200s have been ordered in total. It also took delivery of its first A320-200 which was also leased to Aeroflot. Both aircraft were sold with the leases attached to Waha Capital which is based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
A320 DELIVERED TO SRILANKAN
SriLankan Airlines has received its first A320 aircraft as part of a fleet expansion programme. Four more aircraft will be added to the fleet by the next financial year.
KARTINKA ORDERS SUKHOI SUPERJET
Indonesia based Kartinka Airlines ordered 15 Sukhoi Superjet 100s and another 15 optional aircraft. The deal is valued at $448 million.
PROFITABLE RESULTS FOR BOMBARDIER
Bombardier announced that its revenues were increased 8% in the third quarter of 2008 reaching CAN$4.6 billion. Net income was CAN$245 million, compared to CAN$91 million a year ago.
NEW TERMINAL FOR SHARJAH AIRPORT
Sharjah International Airport in the UAE will construct a new terminal to meet the growth in passenger traffic. The cost of the new terminal is estimated at $354 million.
COGOJETS INTRUDUCES JET POOLING
CoGoJets, a new share-a-jet company offers passengers who wish to share the cost of a private jet to purchase one seat at a time. CoGoJets members will be able to negotiate their desired flight date, time and seats with other members registered on the company’s website. If there is an agreement, members collectively book a business jet together and share the cost.
Forthcoming events:
General Aviation in the Middle East - GAME 2009
6th - 8th April 2009
Dubai, UAE
www.miuevents.com/game-09
Financing Aviation in the Middle East – FAME 2009
4th – 5th May 2009
Dubai, UAE
www.miuevents.com/fame-09
European Aviation Finance
4th - 5th June 2009
Riga, Latvia
www.miuevents.com/eaf2009
Very Light Jets - Europe
24th - 25th September 2009
Barcelona, Spain
www.miuevents.com/vlj-e09
Very Light Jets - Latin America & The Caribbean
26th - 27th October 2009
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
www.miuevents.com/vlj-lac-09
International Air Taxi & Charter Convention - IATC 2009
11th - 12th November 2009
Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
www.miuevents.com/iatc09 |
