AviationGeeks.com - News

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and ANA today announced how the two companies will work together to help prove the 787 Dreamliner's readiness to enter service on a commercial basis. Using the second flight test aircraft, known as ZA002, they will simulate in-service operations across several airports in Japan in a service ready operational validation. The validation is expected to take place the week of July 4. Anticipated city pairs include trips between Haneda Airport in Tokyo and airports in Osaka (Itami and Kansai), Okayama and Hiroshima.

Japan Airlines (JAL) announced today that it will expand its partnership with China Eastern Airlines (MU) to increase the number of eligible flights under the airlines’ Mileage Partnership Agreement making it easier for customers to earn and redeem mileage. 

Korean Air, South Korea’s flagship airline, kicked off the ceremony for the delivery of its first A380 in Toulouse today, marking another milestone in the airline’s history and in its long term partnership with Airbus. Mr. Yang Ho Cho, Chairman and CEO of Korean Air; Mr. Tom Enders, President and CEO of Airbus; Mr. Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS; and senior management of the attending parties and other aviation companies involved in the production of the aircraft attended the delivery ceremony today to witness the historical moment.

The members of the leading trans-Atlantic joint venture – Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), Air France-KLM Group and Alitalia – today announced a year-over-year 7 to 9 percent reduction in trans-Atlantic passenger capacity this fall between Europe and the United States and Canada, as the airlines respond to a significant increase in jet fuel prices and fluctuating seasonal demand.

Scandinavian Airlines and Singapore Airlines have signed a Letter of Intent to further develop and enhance their partnership.  This may cover additional codeshare flights, as well as network co-operation on potential new sectors between Scandinavia and Singapore.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), who represent the carrier's approximately 260 Appearance Techs, are proud to announce the parties have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year contract that becomes amendable February 2015. The current collective bargaining agreement became amendable in February 2009.

Air New Zealand Ltd (NZSX: AIR) and Virgin Australia Airlines (ASX: VBA) have today announced plans for their new-look joint trans-Tasman network, a key part of their new alliance.

JetBlue Airways Corporation [NASDAQ: JBLU] reported its preliminary traffic results for April 2011. Traffic in April increased 6.1 percent from April 2010, on a capacity increase of 7.1 percent.

Qantas and American Airlines are seeking regulatory approval for a joint business agreement (JBA) on their services between Australia/New Zealand and the United States, within the these regions and beyond to third countries.

Emirates, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, announced today that Johannesburg, the industrial and economic capital of South Africa, will be the next destination slated for its flagship A380 aircraft. The daily A380 service will start 1 October 2011.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) is adding new selections to the EATS food-for-sale menu, upgrading spirits offered and offering customers the opportunity to donate to the American Cancer Society with their onboard purchases.

Comparison with April 2010 is not meaningful due to the closure of European airspace occasioned by the eruption of the Icelandic volcano. Moreover, April is the first month of the Summer 2011 program, which provides for a 5.7% increase in capacity.

“Overall load factors remained at the previous month’s level due, among other things, to the prolongation of the Japan situation. Uncertainty concerning Japan significantly reduced demand from Europe to Japan in April. In leisure traffic, the situation in Tunisia and Egypt had a relatively stronger impact even than in March, because the intention had been to continue cancelled flight series over Easter, and Easter took place this year at the end of April,” says Finnair CFO Erno Hildén.

JAL Group (JAL) announced today, passenger traffic results for the Japanese “Golden Week” vacation that spanned 11 days this year from April 28 to May 8.Capacities this year on international and domestic routes were decreased by 26.1% and 24.1% correspondingly, compared to the same period in 2010 as the airline continues striving for profitability. 

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) announced today that the Company flew 7.0 billion revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in April 2011, an 8.7 percent increase from the 6.5 billion RPMs flown in April 2010. Available seat miles (ASMs) increased 7.5 percent to 8.8 billion from the April 2010 level of 8.2 billion. The load factor for the month was 79.7 percent, compared to 78.8 percent for April 2010. For April 2011, passenger revenue per ASM is estimated to have increased in the four to five percent range compared to April 2010.

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) has been named the title sponsor of Major League Baseball’s Civil Rights Game beginning this year and running through 2012. The sponsorship for the 2011 Civil Rights Game includes brand exposure throughout all events leading up to the Fifth Annual Delta Civil Rights Game, which is airing on TBS beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 15, 2011. This exposure includes signage at all receptions, the Baseball & Civil Rights Movement Roundtable Discussion, the MLB Beacon Awards Banquet presented by Belk, the Youth Summit/”Wanna Play?” event in Centennial Park and all three games during this year’s Civil Rights Game weekend

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today reported April 2011 operational results for United Air Lines, Inc. and Continental Airlines, Inc.

SkyTeam has appointed Michael Wisbrun as its new Managing Director, replacing Marie-Joseph Malé effective 1 June 2011. As head of the management team, based in the central office in Amsterdam, Michael Wisbrun will be responsible for implementing the future strategic plan as set forth by the SkyTeam Governing Board.