Infratil shares dip on release of operating report for Dec-2009 and full year 2009

January 31, 2010, 9:45 pm

New Zealand’s Infratil dipped 0.6% on Friday, ahead of the release of the company’s monthly operating report for Wellington Airport and its investment airports in Europe.

Ryanair interested in equity stake in Brazil's WebJet; Flybe witness slump in FY2009 profits

January 31, 2010, 9:39 pm

WebJet confirmed Ryanair Holdings (shares up 0.8%) has offered to buy an undisclosed equity stake in the Brazilian airline. Talks with Ryanair are likely to proceed once Brazil enacts a new law, expected in Mar-2010, increasing foreign ownership...

More potential challenges for Airbus and Boeing - Embraer studying 150-seater

January 31, 2010, 9:35 pm

More challenges are emerging to the cosy duopoly that Airbus and Boeing hold in the market for narrowbody aircraft. According to reports in Brazil’s Folha de S.Paulo newspaper, Embraer is now conducting studies for a new aircraft, which would add...

Qantas to trim premium seating, faces union test

January 31, 2010, 8:10 pm

Qantas plans to introduce a higher-density A380 configuration with no First Class seating and remove all First Class cabins from its B747-400 fleet under a AUD400 million inflight revamp of its long-haul fleet, according to a report in the...

Hainan Airlines parent, HNA Group, supercharged for growth

January 31, 2010, 12:30 am

HNA Group is one of the most fascinating growth stories in Chinese aviation, tourism and related sectors. Having aggressively expanded its asset base (integrating horizontally and vertically) over the past decade, HNA has extremely diversified...

Beijing Capital – easily the busiest airport in China in 2009

January 29, 2010, 12:40 am

Beijing Capital International Airport’s passenger numbers reached 65.5 million in the 12 months ended 31-Dec-2009, making it by far the largest airport in China. (As a system, Shanghai's two airports combined handled 57.2 million passengers). 14...

2010: Yet another year of solid growth for Kuwait

January 29, 2010, 12:31 am

2010 could be a year of unprecedented growth for Kuwaiti aviation, after a very solid increase in 2009. With three home carriers – Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways and Wataniya Airways – all crowded into Kuwait International Airport (KIA) and a...

UPDATE: JAL to decide "next month" on alliances – Nikkei

January 29, 2010, 12:23 am

In an update to a previous report published in today's Mainichi newspaper, Japan Airlines has confirmed it would decide next month which US carrier to tie up with, according to reports in today's Nikkei. JAL's incoming Chairman, Kazuo Inamori, has...

1time flat; Royal Jordanian gains; Kuwait National Airways down

January 29, 2010, 12:20 am

1time’s (+0.0%) shares were flat on Thursday (28-Jan-2010) despite news the carrier, along with British Airways, Comair, South African Airways (SAA), SA Airlink and SA Express, will be investigated by South Africa’s Competition Commission for...

US Airways surprises investors; Alaska Air dips despite reporting net profit for 4Q2009

January 29, 2010, 12:00 am

North and South American carriers stocks slumped on Thursday (28-Jan-2010), amid a number of 4Q2009 and FY2009 results. Stocks also moved with the wider market, with the Dow (-1.1%) ending trading down, following poor outlooks from Motorola and...

Hong Kong’s aviation industry takes a battering but ends better than it started

January 28, 2010, 11:54 pm

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) CEO, Stanley Hui Hon-chung, this month summed up the multitude of challenges currently being experienced by Hong Kong’s aviation industry, when he stated that the industry has been “battered by the global...

JetBlue profits in quarter and year

January 28, 2010, 11:17 pm

JetBlue was facing one of its most challenging tasks as it spoke with analysts yesterday with the cutover from its old Navitair system to Sabre, which, while an exciting opportunity promising increased revenues, has caused huge problems with other...

airberlin, Norwegian make gains, Aer Lingus continues to fall

January 28, 2010, 10:48 pm

European share markets were down again on Thursday (28-Jan-2010), amid continued concerns over the regional economic recovery, problems in Greece and weaker than expected US durable goods sales.

China to play a bigger role in aircraft financing says Airbus – Suppliers Share Wrap

January 28, 2010, 9:54 pm

China is likely to become the world’s second largest economy by the end of 2010 (tipping out Japan if China's growth rates continue to accelerate). China is flexing its financial muscles outside its local market, becoming a major contributor in...

AirTran in fourth quarter and year-end profit

January 28, 2010, 9:44 pm

AirTran Airways reported its fourth consecutive profitable quarter when it announced a net income of USD17.1 million for the three months ended 31-Dec-2009. For the year, it posted an economic net income of USD93.6 million, or USD0.67 per share,...

Alaska posts profit in fourth quarter and full year

January 28, 2010, 9:33 pm

As a measure of how the restructuring work of the past three years has worked, Alaska Air Group posted a 4Q2009 net income of USD24.1 million, nearly a USD100 million swing from the year-ago period when it lost USD75.2 million. For the year the...

JetBlue profitable in every quarter of 2009; SpiceJet and Virgin Blue in talks with suppliers

January 28, 2010, 9:23 pm

JetBlue reported its highest net income since 2003 in 2009, with a net profit of USD58 million (a turnaround from a net loss of USD85 million). But investors are becoming increasingly nervous about cost pressures in the sector. JetBlue’s shares...

Auckland Airport institutional shareholders snap up new shares, trading halt to be lifted next week

January 28, 2010, 9:21 pm

New Zealand's Auckland Airport announced more than 99% of its institutional shareholders elected to take up discounted stock in its 1 for 16 offer. The institutional entitlement offer raised NZD69.4 million, reducing the amount of stock that will be...

Oakland International Airport pioneering once again

January 28, 2010, 9:20 pm

It may come as news to most readers, even in the US, that early in the 20th century Oakland was considered one of the nation’s premier airfields. None other than Charles Lindbergh called it the “most advanced” when he dedicated the field in...

Jetstar confirms Singapore as Asian hub; AirAsia growth continues in 2009

January 28, 2010, 8:02 pm

AirAsia and Jetstar, which this month announced details of a ground-breaking new alliance, are underscoring their ambitions to remain the dominant LCCs in the Asia Pacific region with a string of new announcements. AirAsia has reported another very...

Air New Zealand’s yields pick up in Dec-2009, but remain in negative territory

January 28, 2010, 12:58 am

Air New Zealand handled 2.6% fewer passengers in Dec-2009, as the carrier slashed capacity (ASKs) by 11.0% and demand (measured by RPKs) fell 5.6%, increasing Group load factors by a notable 4.8 ppts. Group yields last month fell 5.2% year-on-year...

1time sells subsidiary to former Board Directors; Kenya Airways gains

January 28, 2010, 12:21 am

1time (-8.0%) shares were pushed lower by news during trading that the carrier has sold its Aeronexus Corporate subsidiary to two former Board Directors, Sven Peterson and Gavin Harrison, for USD217,851 (ZAR1.65 million).

United Airlines accomplishes significant revenue swings in 2009

January 28, 2010, 12:19 am

United Airlines fairly crowed about its accomplishments during one of the worst years in airline history. “Losses narrowed, liquidity strengthened, operational improvements,” ran the headline on its release. And it has reason to crow, as does...

United Airlines cuts losses; LAN upgraded; US Airways down

January 28, 2010, 12:06 am

The majority of North and South American carriers made modest gains on Wednesday (27-Jan-2010), as the wider market moved into positive territory in the last 30 minutes of trading, after the US Federal Reserve announced they would keep interest...

Aeroflot buys minority stake back at discount, Aer Lingus looking to join airline alliance

January 27, 2010, 11:52 pm

European carriers’ stocks were mixed on Wednesday (27-Jan-2010), due to a fall in banking shares, as investors became cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates, which were left on hold.

Ferrovial to “continue to tap the markets”, shares dip

January 27, 2010, 7:33 pm

Ferrovial SA Chairman, Rafael del Pino, announced yesterday the company plans to “continue to tap the markets” to finance operations, if they are as “liquid as they are now” before a decision to sell more airports.

AirTran posts better than expects 4Q results; record FY2009 profits

January 27, 2010, 7:31 pm

AirTran’s shares gained 1.5% yesterday, upon the release of better-than-expected fourth quarter results, in which the carrier reported a net profit of USD17.1 million (compared to a loss of USD122 million in the previous corresponding period), to...

Boeing shares soar on better than expected 4Q2009 result

January 27, 2010, 7:02 pm

Boeing's shares surged 7.3% on Wednesday, as the aircraft manufacturer reported a better than expected net profit of USD1.27 billion, or USD1.757 per share for the three months ended 31-Dec-2009. Quarterly sales at the manufacturer rose 42%, to...

Airline industry newcomers benefit from herd mentality of the old timers

January 27, 2010, 6:56 pm

When discussing airlines we often put them into geographic categories; for instance the European airlines, or the US carriers. For much of the industry’s history these were useful designations, and in some cases they still are. But especially in...

2009 was a terrible year for aviation (except for the Middle East)

January 27, 2010, 6:47 pm

IATA is describing 2009 as “the worst year the industry has ever seen”. Director General and CEO, Giovanni Bisignani, noted the industry “permanently” lost 2.5 years of growth in passenger markets and 3.5 years of growth in the freight...

Asian shares weaker; Air India reports losses in Dec-2009 quarter; ANA to capitalise on JAL weakness

January 27, 2010, 6:39 pm

Indian shares fell for a sixth session on Wednesday, sliding 2.9% to their lowest close in nearly 12 weeks, with Asian stocks (the MSCI Asia Pacific Index) down for an eighth consecutive day, as investors joined a regional sell-off on concerns...

Delta Air Lines reports better than expected results; LAN reports net profits; Continental down

January 27, 2010, 12:20 am

The majority of North and South American carriers stocks were down on Tuesday (26-Jan-2010), moving with the wider market. The Dow was flat as investors became cautious of major political and regulatory developments to be announced later this week,...

2010 could be a big year for Chinese airlines as traffic booms. Will they look to invest abroad?

January 27, 2010, 12:16 am

China’s economy is booming again and oil prices are around half their peak 2008 levels. For Chinese airlines, it’s a pretty simple equation, with pent-up demand expected to provide very strong traffic growth again in 2010 after surprisingly...

1Time zooms on Harare route talk, Royal Jordanian lower. CAPA launches Africa daily!

January 27, 2010, 12:15 am

South African LCC, 1time has announced it is interested in serving the lucrative Johannesburg-Harare (Zimbabwe) sector, currently served by Air Zimbabwe, South African Airways and Comair.

Allegiant margins dropping, but still to die for

January 26, 2010, 10:29 pm

Pundits say that when Las Vegas starts to come back you will know the recession has ended. Well, we aren’t yet, as too many hotel rooms are still chasing too few guests. While that effects Allegiant, with its focus on serving the Las Vegas market,...

Delta Air Lines in dramatic loss swing

January 26, 2010, 10:12 pm

As usual, those pesky special items conspired to move Delta’s year-end net profit of USD291 million into a net loss of USD1.1 billion, despite a USD6 billion decline in revenue year on year. The special items totaled USD169 million, with USD1.4...

Couches, cougars and contraction: Air New Zealand downsizes to survive in the jungle

January 26, 2010, 9:35 pm

Air New Zealand has unveiled its new economy-class seating concept, the “SkyCouch”, which it says will “transform international air travel” when it is introduced in Nov-2010 with the delivery of its first new B777-300ER. The new economy...

Auckland Airport seeking to raise USD126.4 million through entitlement offer

January 26, 2010, 9:02 pm

Shares in New Zealand’s Auckland International Airport Ltd rose 2.7% yesterday to NZD1.92 yesterday, ahead of company’s announcement of its intent to raise NZD126.4 million (USD89.4 million) through a fully underwritten pro rata entitlement...

AIG to pull out of the sale of ILFC? – Suppliers Share Wrap

January 26, 2010, 8:33 pm

Another major leasing company may soon be off the market, just a few weeks after the HNA Group completed the acquisition of Allco’s aircraft leasing arm.

AirTran expects FY2009 profit; JetBlue upgraded by Moody's

January 26, 2010, 8:29 pm

AirTran’s shares fell 2.4% yesterday, despite expectations that the carrier will post an adjusted profit in 4Q2009, to be one of only a few of the major airlines to be profitable in the period and in every quarter in 2009. The carrier, in...

IMF revises up global GDP forecast to 3.9% for 2010, 4.3% in 2011

January 26, 2010, 6:38 pm

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised up its global GDP forecasts, noting the economy is “recovering faster than previously anticipated”, having been battered over the past two years. The IMF is now forecasting 3.9% growth this year...

Chinese shares slump, Air New Zealand innovates

January 26, 2010, 6:23 pm

Hong Kong shares fell to a four-month low on Tuesday on concerns over corporate profits and reports of further tightening in lending requirements to rein in runaway economic growth. The Shanghai Composite Index fell 2.05% to its lowest in nearly...

“Civilised” Aer Lingus seeks to differentiate itself from Ryanair

January 25, 2010, 8:38 pm

Aer Lingus, like many of its European legacy counterparts (including British Airways, Austrian, Lufthansa, Air France) is grappling with the question; ‘What to do with short-haul operations?’ For CEO, Christoph Mueller, the answer is; create a...

Landmark security leaders meet in Geneva

January 25, 2010, 5:23 pm

After meeting with her counterparts in Europe, US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano met with the International Air Transport Association as well as International Civil Aviation Organization to discuss how to improve aviation...

Dubai tops growth rates for world’s largest airports in 2009

January 25, 2010, 4:26 pm

Major airport hubs in Asia and the Middle East suffered less over 2009 than their counterparts in Europe and North America, but the year was anything but an easy. Of the world’s 50 busiest airports, just four reported growth in passenger traffic...

Kenya Airways to participate in EU Environment Trading Scheme; Air Arabia falls

January 25, 2010, 12:03 am

Kenya Airways (-0.9%) fell the least of all carriers in the region on Friday.

American Airlines planning to lay off pilots; Continental price target lowered

January 24, 2010, 11:50 pm

North and South American carriers stocks fell with the wider market on Friday (22-Jan-2010), which suffered its worst week since Feb-2009. Stocks fell on President Obama’s proposal for stronger limits on banking risks, in a week when stocks were...

Lufthansa walks the line: Profitability, acquisitions and pilot strikes don’t mix

January 24, 2010, 11:29 pm

Lufthansa Chairman and CEO Mayrhuber has a conflict. Hopefully it will remain at the conceptual level, and not become industrial. Last week, the airline transmitted a flurry of “it could be worse than it looks” messages, mainly for the...

Lufthansa states 2010 analysts' forecasts too high; Turkish Airlines and Aeroflot considering JV

January 24, 2010, 11:23 pm

European markets fell again on Friday (22-Jan-2010), after US President, Barack Obama, proposed earlier in the week to implement stricter limits on the size and trading activities of banks to reduce risk taking. Banking stocks fell again as a...

TPG acquires 10% stake in Azul; WestJet encouraged but remains cautious about traffic “buoyancy”

January 24, 2010, 9:59 pm

Azul Linhas Aereas SA confirmed that US fund, Texas Pacific Group (TPG) had acquired a 10% stake in the LCC. According to reports in Valor Economico, TPG will pay approximately USD20 million for the stake, but will not inject additional funds into...

Australian Infrastructure Fund dips on traffic report for airports

January 24, 2010, 9:54 pm

Shares in Australian Infrastructure Fund (AIX) dipped 0.8% on Friday, upon the release of the airport operator’s traffic report for its Australian member airports for the six months ended 31-Dec-2009. Shares were down 1.0% on Thursday ahead of the...

Cost reduction focus at growing WestJet

January 24, 2010, 9:21 pm

WestJet has its work cut out for it. The 14-year-old Canadian carrier wants to grow 10% annually, but it has to reduce its current cost base to compete not only in the Canadian market, but on the world stage as well. It has the plans to carry out...

Aircraft financing again to the fore, Airbus and Boeing opposing Bombardier – Suppliers Share Wrap

January 24, 2010, 8:29 pm

Airbus and Boeing, which still have the ongoing determinations from the World Trade Organization hanging over them, will reportedly oppose Bombardier's use of export-financing arrangements for its new CSeries regional jet, according to a report in...

SpiceJet and Korean Air report net profits in Dec-2009 quarter; Tiger Airways listed in Singapore

January 24, 2010, 8:22 pm

Korean Air posted a USD133.7 million operating profit and a USD106 million net profit in the fourth quarter, for the third consecutive quarterly net profit after six consecutive losses (and rebounding from a net loss of USD559 million in the...

Downturn hits Association of Asia Pacific Airlines. AAPA needs a fundamental rethink

January 24, 2010, 7:56 pm

2009 was an annus horribilis for the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) in more ways than one. AAPA’s members carried 5.7% fewer passengers last year than in 2008, racking up significant losses in the process. But the Association also...

JAL-SkyTeam combination has mixed benefits: greater service concentration, but stronger #2 alliance

January 24, 2010, 7:42 pm

The first rule of holes states that when you are in one, stop digging. American’s Gerard Arpey would do well to put his shovel down. Two stories last week on CAPA’s website chronicled Mr Arpey’s comments on the airline’s performance and,...

Ancillary revenues: Airlines to earn USD58 billion in 2010; CAPA to review Asia Pacific prospects

January 22, 2010, 12:09 am

The LCC sector has triggered an ancillary revenue (merchandising) revolution, with airlines worldwide expected to generate USD58 billion in ancillaries this year. Baggage fees are one of the fast growing items in a portfolio developed largely by...

easyJet to deliver “substantial profit improvements” during 2010, after reporting solid results

January 22, 2010, 12:08 am

easyJet, Europe’s second largest LCC, reported a solid set of financial results for the three months ended Dec-2009 (1QFY2010), ending 2009 as the “best performing European airline during 2009”, according to CEO, Andy Harrison, who added that...

Atlanta International Airport:Whether you go to heaven or hell, you have to change planes in......

January 22, 2010, 12:01 am

This apocryphal saying, already widely in use by 1980 when Time Magazine did a story on Atlanta (ATL) airport, sums up the range of feelings engendered by the facility. By being the busiest airport in the world it has created its own aura and, even...

Continental and Southwest profitable, but airlines not out of the woods yet – US Share Wrap

January 21, 2010, 11:56 pm

Continental Airlines' shares dropped 2.3% in trading yesterday, falling in line with the general market after positive morning trading, despite a small 4Q2009 net profit and a positive, albeit cautious and conservative, outlook for 2010.

Southwest Airlines posts 37th consecutive annual profit

January 21, 2010, 11:53 pm

“Flat is the new up,” Southwest Chair & CEO Gary Kelly told analysts yesterday in reporting a USD116 million profit in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to the USD56 million loss for the previous corresponding period. For the full year, the...

Continental: Curb your enthusiasm despite 4Q2009 profit

January 21, 2010, 11:25 pm

Continental Airlines managed to squeeze a surprise USD85 million profit for the fourth quarter or USD0.60 per diluted share. For the full year 2009, Continental reported a net loss of USD282 million, or a loss of USD2.18 per diluted share, a 51.9%...

Boeing releases more news on B787 delivery timetables and weight shedding – Suppliers Share Wrap

January 21, 2010, 10:15 pm

As Boeing gets on with the certification processes for the B787, more details are emerging over the aircraft’s delivery schedule. Lead customer, All Nippon Airways, is due to receive its first aircraft sometime in 4Q2010, but news on deliveries to...

Middle East and African carriers expanding their fleets in 2010 and beyond: Share Wrap

January 21, 2010, 10:11 pm

All of the listed Middle Eastern airline shares were lower yesterday, with Jazeera down 2.0%, Kuwait National Airways slipping 1.8% and Air Arabia 1.1% weaker. Among the African carriers, Kenya Airways’ shares slipped 0.9%, while shares in 1time...

Lufthansa to hold onto bmi; Significant losses for Air France for European services?

January 21, 2010, 10:09 pm

Luthansa (shares down 0.6% yesterday) will hold off a possible sale of bmi until earnings can be restored, with a spokesman stating, “we’re trying to fix things". He added, "the emphasis is to make bmi profitable, and then we can see.”

Southwest sees 37th year of profitability; “Substantial profit improvements” for easyJet in 2010

January 21, 2010, 10:04 pm

Southwest Airlines’ shares gained 3.1% yesterday, as the carrier reported a 4Q2009 profit and its 37th consecutive year of profitability in 2009, in a year that CEO, Gary Kelly, described as “perhaps, the most difficult revenue environment the...

MAp shares dip on financial report for Sydney Airport

January 21, 2010, 10:02 pm

Shares in MAp lost 3.2% yesterday, ahead of the release of airport operator’s financial report for Sydney Airport for the three months and 12 months ended 31-Dec-2009. MAp increased its revenue by 11.1% and 5.0% in both periods, respectively, as...

Crude prices cool on reports of weaker demand, but jet fuel demand is rising

January 21, 2010, 7:18 pm

The US Energy Department's Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported this week that US oil consumption continues to ease, falling 1.8% year-on-year over the past four weeks. The EIA stated that aviation jet fuel demand is falling in the US.

No significant improvement in Air New Zealand’s yields; SpiceJet returns to profitable in Dec-2009

January 21, 2010, 7:15 pm

Air New Zealand’s shares were down 0.8% yesterday. CEO, Rob Fyfe, told The Australian that he expects it will take up to three years for the carrier to fully recover from the global economic crisis, adding that although demand is now improving,...

American Airlines' FlightPlan 2020

January 21, 2010, 5:32 pm

AMR Chair and CEO, Gerard Arpey, has stressed the company’s FlightPlan 2020 plan (which outlines goals for American for the next decade) centeres on five principles which all conspire to ensure more profitability for the carrier. Those principles...

Employment down again for US carriers

January 21, 2010, 5:24 pm

US scheduled airline employment dropped 3.3% in Nov-2009 from the year-ago period, the 17th consecutive decline in full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) from the same month in the previous year, according to the Department of Transportation's Bureau...

American Airlines gains on smaller than expected revenue decline; Delta gaining momentum

January 21, 2010, 12:40 am

North and South American stocks were mixed on Wednesday (20-Jan-2010) as the market spent most of the session deeply in negative territory, following news Chinese regulators have ordered some of the country’s banks to temporarily stop lending, in...

1time Holdings and Kenya Airways continue to rise, Air Arabia also up

January 21, 2010, 12:40 am

All carriers, except for Kuwait National Airways (+0.0%), made gains on Wednesday (20-Jan-2010).

Germany: A dynamic market in which consolidation activity features strongly

January 21, 2010, 12:34 am

The German aviation market is a dynamic one, dominated by European giant, Lufthansa, and its host of subsidiaries, and also featuring Europe’s third largest LCC, Air Berlin, which has, like Lufthansa, also been pursuing an acquisition strategy....

Tiger Airways now has to deliver. So, who has the lowest costs?

January 20, 2010, 11:18 pm

Tiger Airways Holdings’ IPO has to be considered a success in today’s difficult times. With 165.1 million shares offered, priced at SGD1.50, the heavily oversubscribed share issue this week raised SGD247.7 million, valuing the company at...

British Airways cabin crew not to strike in Easter; Aegean Airlines falls despite improved traffic

January 20, 2010, 11:13 pm

International share markets, including Europe, were down on Wednesday (20-Jan-2010) on news Chinese regulators have ordered some of the country’s banks to temporarily stop lending (until the end of Jan-2010), to slow credit growth, after a surge...

Export Credit Agencies will need to match 2009 commitments to avoid funding gap

January 20, 2010, 8:47 pm

DVB Bank, a specialist in global transport finance, cautioned that the “lenders of last resort” – Export Credit Agencies – will again be crucial in the avoidance of a funding gap for commercial aircraft deliveries in 2010, after playing a...

MAp and Copenhagen Airport shares surge

January 20, 2010, 8:40 pm

Shares in Macquarie Airports (MAp) surged 6.5% yesterday, upon the release of the fund's traffic report for its investment airports for Dec-2009 and the 12 months ended 31-Dec-2009, which showed market weakness over the full year, but signs of...

Ryanair planning first fare increase in four years; JetBlue considering HQ move

January 20, 2010, 8:37 pm

Ryanair’s shares slipped 1.5% yesterday, as the carrier’s CFO, Howard Millar, stated Europe’s largest LCC is planning its first fare increase in four years, in order to sustain earnings growth amid ongoing route expansion. The carrier is...

China Airlines and Kingfisher seeing yield improvements; China Southern expects 2009 profitability

January 20, 2010, 7:30 pm

China Airlines’ shares slipped 0.9% yesterday, despite the carrier reporting improved year-on-year yield improvements for Dec-2009. The worst may now be behind the carrier, after yields appear to have bottomed out in Jul-2009/Aug-2009.

Paris trailing Heathrow and Frankfurt recovery. 2009 traffic still well below 2007 levels

January 20, 2010, 6:30 pm

Dec-2009 traffic results at the three major European airports - London Heathrow, Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) and Frankfurt International – indicate a gradual stabilisation in passenger traffic. However, there are still challenging times ahead in...

American Airlines gives a glimpse of industry recovery, updates on JAL

January 20, 2010, 6:08 pm

American Airlines narrowed its loss for the fourth quarter of 2009 and spoke of rebounding business travel. But a wide range of issues from JAL to taxes are ahead for American. Both analysts and media were naturally anxious to hear from the horse's...

Overflights leading a tentative recovery in Irish aviation?

January 20, 2010, 5:47 pm

Overflight traffic in Irish Aviation Authority airspace declined by just 2.5% in Dec-2009, admittedly on already depressed 2008 levels. The decline is the smallest year-on-year reduction in overflights seen by the IAA in more than 12 months, and a...

JAL bankruptcy a tsunami whose waves circle the world; maybe deadly for oneworld

January 20, 2010, 12:55 am

As JAL declares bankruptcy and Delta closes in on a new partnership, the oneworld alliance and its members are contemplating the wave of change that is hurting them so much. The alliance’s leading US and European members, American Airlines and...

TAM frequent flyer programme to launch IPO; American Airlines, Continental to post losses

January 20, 2010, 12:55 am

North and South American carriers made gains on Tuesday (19-Jan-2010), pushed higher with the wider market.

Kenya Airways gains on bilateral agreement with Singapore; 1time holdings also up

January 20, 2010, 12:52 am

Kenya Airways (+9.1%) made strong gains on Tuesday (19-Dec-2009), after Singapore and Kenyan governments signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA).

Indian airline outlook 2010

January 20, 2010, 12:51 am

After the dramatic changes of the last five years, the Indian aviation industry is starting to see the emergence of a more favourable environment. India’s GDP growth slowed from over 9% in 2007/08 to 6.1% in 2008/09. However, given the contraction...

British Airways/Iberia merger to be complete by Feb-2010; Lufthansa pleased with Lufthansa Italia

January 19, 2010, 11:47 pm

European markets gained on Tuesday (19-Jan-2010), after being down most of the day due to a fall in banking shares ahead of the release of earnings results. Energy stocks were also lower.

Europe loses four years of growth. Traffic reset to 2005

January 19, 2010, 11:41 pm

There can be few better examples of the global financial crisis’ impact on aviation than the level of flight movements in Europe. In its latest forecast, EUROCONTROL, the European air navigation safety organisation, noted that 2009 European flight...

Southwest’s share price moving upwards Credit Suisse & UBS positive about easyJet &Ryanair prospects

January 19, 2010, 11:41 pm

Southwest’s shares gained 0.2% yesterday to close at USD11.43, with the share price currently above its 50-day moving average of USD10.23 and above its 200-day moving average of USD8.45. SmarTrend added that it expects these moving averages to...

GVK, Beijing Airport and MAp shares reduce, Vienna Airport gains

January 19, 2010, 8:29 pm

Shares in GVK Power and Infrastructure (GVKPIL) dipped 2.1% yesterday, as Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), one of its key interests with a 29% stake, reconstituted its Board of Directors, inducting three new members from GVKPIL - GV...

Will the JAL bankruptcy be good for smaller manufacturers? – Suppliers Share Wrap

January 19, 2010, 8:26 pm

The bankruptcy and restructuring of Japan Airlines may have an upside for manufacturers of smaller aircraft, with the carrier announcing plans to slash its fleet of widebody aircraft and acquire smaller aircraft, allowing it to focus on more local...

Japan Airlines bankrupt, Tiger Airways IPOs; a sign of the changing times

January 19, 2010, 6:53 pm

It is one of those ironies of fate that Japan Airlines (JAL), Asia's biggest and oldest full service airline, should be bankrupted in the same week as one of the newest and smallest LCCs, Tiger Airways, manages a successful IPO. Or perhaps it is...

ATA Monthly Passenger Yield: Double digit drop in 2009 yields

January 19, 2010, 6:51 pm

Yields declined by double digits for all regions served by US airlines, according to the Air Transport Association, which released its data last night. The charts were released on the cusp of the reporting season in which US airlines are expecting...

30 US airports risk losing service

January 19, 2010, 6:49 pm

After a host of US airports lost service with the dramatic capacity cuts during 2008 and 2009, another 30 airports that rely solely on regional airlines to connect them to the national air transportation system, are at risk of losing all air...

Japan Airlines enters bankruptcy, ANA loses ground on “unfair competition” concerns

January 19, 2010, 6:45 pm

Japan Airlines’ shares closed flat at JPY5 per share yesterday as the airline announced as expected, after the market close, that it would file for bankruptcy. JAL shares will be delisted on 20-Feb-2010.

1time Holdings up again with rise in South African market; Kuwait National Airways down

January 19, 2010, 12:18 am

The majority of African and Middle East carriers witnessed rises in share prices on Monday (18-Jan-2010).

LAN shares surge despite uncertainty; Air Canada, WestJet slip

January 19, 2010, 12:16 am

Of those that traded on Monday (18-Jan-2010), North and South American airline stocks were mixed. Canada’s TSX (0.6%) ended trading higher, as did the Bovespa (+0.6%), pushed by advances in major companies, Petrobras and Vale. US carriers did not...

Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways: Opportunities for airports as Gulf airlines expand

January 19, 2010, 12:15 am

Over the course of the coming decade, the world's international airports will be presented with unprecedented route development opportunities, as the 'Big Three' Middle East carriers, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Emirates, enter a highly...

British Airways cabin crew to vote for industrial action again; Iberia, Ryanair up

January 19, 2010, 12:05 am

European markets made tidy gains on Monday (18-Jan-2010), recovering from falls on Friday (15-Jan-2010), thanks to gains in mining stocks and a rebound in banking shares in London.

A growing regional divide in premium traffic. bmi axes Business Class on short-haul routes

January 19, 2010, 12:00 am

Worldwide premium traffic is still contracting, although volumes have now recovered by approximately 5% from the May-2009 low point. However, there are large differences between the recovery of premium traffic in geographical markets, “reflecting...

Tiger’s IPO success shows there’s something about airlines

January 18, 2010, 10:43 pm

Tiger Airways Holdings’ IPO has to be considered a success in today’s difficult times. With 165,155,000 shares offered, priced at SGD1.50, the heavily oversubscribed share issue yesterday raised SGD247.7 million (USD178 million), valuing the...

Shanghai Airport lifted by positive airline trading and sentiment in Shanghai

January 18, 2010, 10:27 pm

Shares in Shanghai Airport surged 7.3% yesterday, lifted by a jump in airline trading in Shanghai, while the Shanghai Composite rose 0.4%.

Malaysia Airlines' response to CAPA 'bailout' report

January 18, 2010, 9:23 pm

The following is the response from Mohd Azha Abdul Jalil, Chief Financial Officer, Malaysian Airline System Berhad to a recent CAPA report. "We refer to the article titled, "2010 Year of the Asian Airline Bailout: China Eastern, Air India, JAL,...

SpiceJet expects profitability in FY2009/2010, Tiger shares price at middle of range

January 18, 2010, 7:18 pm

SpiceJet CEO, Sanjay Aggarwal, in an interview with the Economic Times, stated the carrier is “looking at opportunity to raise capital from the market”, adding, “the number would be in the neighbourhood of $50-75 million”.

JAL shares reach another all-time low; China Eastern expecting FY2009 profitability

January 18, 2010, 7:15 pm

Japan Airlines’ shares slumped 28.6% on Monday, to close at another new all-time low of just JPY5 on the expected eve of a bankruptcy filing for the struggling carrier.

Air Arabia “happy" with Moroccan performance; Kenya Airways, Kuwait National Airways make gains

January 18, 2010, 12:15 am

Air Arabia (-1.1%) was the only Middle East/African carrier to end Friday trading down.

US carriers expected to make gains this week; Republic Airways, United Airlines fall

January 18, 2010, 12:13 am

North and South America stocks were all down on Friday (15-Jan-2010), except for Expressjet (+0.0%), which was flat at the end of trading.

Lufthansa pilots to vote to strike; Airberlin striving for improved earnings in 2010

January 18, 2010, 12:10 am

European markets ended the week down on Friday (15-Jan-2010), as banking stocks fell after JP Morgan reported increasing loan losses and a fall in Wall Street in early trading.

Barcelona 1 – Madrid 0. Catalonian airport comes up smiling after a year of angst

January 18, 2010, 12:07 am

Spain’s AENA has posted a disturbing loss of EUR434 million for 2009, with Madrid Barajas Airport reporting a EUR300 million loss for the year. The airport authority expects to record losses of EUR597.7 million in 2010, bringing its accumulated...

Airports Authority of India reports double-digit growth in domestic and international traffic

January 17, 2010, 10:46 pm

Airports Authority of India (AAI) reports Indian domestic traffic across its airports is steadily recovering from the downward trend over 2008/09, due to strengthening demand and low monthly base figures in 2008. AAI saw double-digit growth in...

NextGen: Time for the aviation industry to give the White House the advice it needs

January 17, 2010, 9:04 pm

Aviation industry leaders had to feel good about last week’s meeting between dozens of the top US business leaders and the White House. After all, they heard the strongest language in decades out of the White House that gives cause for hope that...

Fraport shares decline – Frankfurt Airport reports mixed traffic results

January 17, 2010, 9:03 pm

Shares in German airport operator, Fraport, lost 2.6% on Friday, upon the release of its traffic report for Frankfurt Airport and amid wider losses on European equity markets.

Aircastle shares fall along with Babcock & Brown Air and AerCap

January 17, 2010, 8:01 pm

Aircastle's shares fell 5.7% on Friday, following a downgrade from ‘Buy’ to ‘Hold’ of the stock from Citigroup. Strong early trading saw the stock dip to USD10.30 per share, before recovering slightly to USD10.57.

Air Berlin expecting improved EBIT result in 2010; Ryanair's toilet tax

January 17, 2010, 7:58 pm

Air Berlin’s shares were up slightly on Friday, gaining 0.2%, as the carrier’s CCO, Christoph Debus, stated the carrier is optimistic about the outlook for 2010, and is planning to achieve a clearly positive earnings result for FY2010.

ANA, Skymark and Korean Air to benefit from JAL bankruptcy: SHARE WRAP

January 17, 2010, 7:47 pm

Japan Airlines’ shares slumped 12.5% on Friday, following a 14.3% gain on Thursday, on news that Asia’s largest airline by revenue will file for bankruptcy protection as early as tomorrow (19-Jan-2010), as part of a restructuring programme being...

JAL-Delta rumours strengthen. But does Washington agree?

January 17, 2010, 7:42 pm

Rumours strengthened over the weekend that Delta and SkyTeam have won the beauty contest for the hand of Japan Airlines, after bankruptcy is declared, probably tomorrow. If that is the case – and cautious judgments are always wise in the Japan...

A "remarkable decade": Asia Pacific LCCs now account for one in six seats

January 17, 2010, 7:11 pm

Asia Pacific low cost carriers (LCCs) accounted for 15.7% of total seats in the region last year, or just under one in every six seats provided by the airline industry. The figure is up from 14.1% in 2008 and just 1.1% in 2001, completing a...

Aer Lingus pilots see the light; will other airlines’ unions feel the urge?

January 17, 2010, 6:02 pm

There is more to the Aer Lingus pilots’ tentative acceptance of last week’s arbitration tribunal’s recommendations than merely salary and benefits. This involved the carrier’s EUR30 million cost reduction strategy involving a “redundancy...

African airline fleet growth peaking in 2010; Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines & Nigerian Eagle lead way

January 17, 2010, 5:57 pm

African airlines are expected to take delivery of 73 new aircraft in 2010 – making it a peak year for deliveries to the region, after 42 deliveries last year, 26 in 2008 and 39 in 2007. Approximately 66 aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2011,...

Vueling gains marginally; Aer Lingus pilots vote to accept cost cutting plan

January 14, 2010, 11:15 pm

European shares were up for the second consecutive session on Thursday (14-Jan-2010), boosted by the mining and banking sectors, pushing up airline share prices. In major news, the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to put interest rates on hold,...

Viva Macau seeking government financial assistance extension. LCCs growing in South Korea

January 14, 2010, 10:52 pm

Viva Macau has reportedly requested an extension on government financial assistance, according the Hoje Macau newspaper. The airline was granted financial assistance from mid-2008 until Sep-2009, reportedly through the Commercial and Industrial...

Will the US put a tighter leash on oil speculation?

January 14, 2010, 10:47 pm

14-Jan-2010 could be an important date in the airline cost battle, with the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) proposing to implement speculative position limits for futures and option contracts in certain energy commodities. The current...

Boeing to test fly B747-8 soon, Groupe Aeroplan recovers on stock issue – Suppliers Share Wrap

January 14, 2010, 10:40 pm

Boeing is reportedly due to test fly its first B747-8 in the next few weeks. While the anticipation of first test flight of the aircraft does not approach that which surrounded the B787, it will still be one of Boeing’s major milestones for 2010....

Malaysia Airports surges – Stronger financial base for 2010

January 14, 2010, 10:37 pm

Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad (MAHB) surged 9.5% yesterday, as Khazanah Nasional, 67.74% stakeholder in the airport’s operator, stated its financial restructuring in 2009, has given MAHB a stronger financial base to undertake selected overseas...

JAL share turbulence continues; Thai Airways & Vietnam Airlines see improvements in 2010

January 14, 2010, 7:09 pm

JAL’s shares gained 14.3% yesterday, as more than 1 billion JAL shares changed hands, a single-day record for a Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed company, setting a new record following the previous days’ 822 million shares being traded.

DOT releases October traffic stats

January 14, 2010, 6:23 pm

Airline traffic for scheduled domestic and international passengers decline 1.4% in Oct-2009 compared to Oct-2008, according to the US Department of Transportation, which added the decline amounted to 0.9 million passengers to 58.8 million and...

Satellite airports to regain ground as congestion returns at major hubs

January 14, 2010, 5:59 pm

Over the past two years, many American airports have seen their service profiles radically changed with places like Cincinnati dropping further in status and service, while others, like Milwaukee, appear to be rising stars.

US, EU accelerating open-skies negotiations

January 14, 2010, 5:57 pm

US and European Union representatives hope to cut a second-stage open skies agreement in the first half on 2010, despite key issues remaining unresolved. Of paramount important is ensuring that the first-stage doesn’t unravel during the...

Alaska Airlines expands RNP in Alaska

January 14, 2010, 5:56 pm

Having pioneered the use of RNP at Juneau in the mid 1990s, Alaska Airlines is expanding its use of Required Navigation Performance precision approach technology to land aircraft in Adak, AK, and, in March, Ketchikan. The technology, growing in...

It was only a matter of time, Menke out at Frontier

January 14, 2010, 5:45 pm

Former Frontier President Sean Menke is out at Republic Airways Holdings Inc after less than six month as Executive VP and Chief Marketing Officer for Republic's branded operations (Midwest and Frontier), effective at the end of the first quarter....

Branson weighs in on JAL-Delta-American offerings

January 14, 2010, 5:26 pm

Sir Richard Branson has called the bidding process between American and Delta for JAL “hypocritical” compared to the proposed British Airways/American deal. He pointed out oneworld’s contention that a JAL/DL deal would “raise intractable...

United Airlines follows suit with baggage fees; FedEx and UPS fall

January 14, 2010, 12:18 am

North and South America airline stocks rebounded on Wednesday (13-Jan-2010), with the AMEX Airline Index gaining 3.0%, as oil prices (-1.5%) retreated back below USD80, to USD79.59. Oil gained on news US inventories have grown in the last week, due...

1time Holdings showing strong traffic growth; Air Arabia, Kuwait National Airways flat

January 14, 2010, 12:00 am

Shares in South African LCC, 1time, gained 6.7% yesterday, despite a relatively flat market in South Africa in Wednesday trading.

Turkish Airlines and Vueling benefit from traffic results, SAS down

January 13, 2010, 11:00 pm

European share markets made gains for the first time in three sessions on Wednesday (13-Jan-2010).

Europe’s full service carriers return to growth, but may not recover lost ground

January 13, 2010, 10:55 pm

2009 passenger traffic for Europe’s full service airlines is “almost certain” to decline in excess of 4% year-on-year, according to the Association of European Airlines. The decrease comes on top of the already depressed 2008 traffic figures.

A more positive picture for US airlines in Dec-2009, but times remain tough

January 13, 2010, 10:05 pm

2009 ended much better than it started for US airlines, with Dec-2009’s traffic results confirming some yield improvements, rising demand and load factors hovering around the 80% mark domestically. These improvements have been driven by careful...

Leasing markets up, bullish outlook from Aercap – Suppliers Share Wrap

January 13, 2010, 10:01 pm

AerCap announced it navigated 2009 without a single aircraft repossession, and rising traffic levels (even in traditional aviation markets) could potentially lead to airlines cautiously adding capacity through 2010.

Japan Airlines sitting on a wonderful opportunity. So is Cathay. It’s not one world any more

January 13, 2010, 9:25 pm

Japan Airlines’ shares may be virtually worthless, as equity investors flee from uncertainty facing the airline and an expected bankruptcy filing, but strategic investors, in the form of US airlines, their alliance and funding partners are...

Asia Pacific airline fleet growth to peak in 2010; China Southern, Air China and ANA fastest growth

January 13, 2010, 9:24 pm

Asia Pacific airlines are expected to add around 468 new aircraft to their fleets in 2010, making it a peak year for deliveries to the region, after 429 deliveries last year and a similar number booked for 2011. The analysis, presented exclusively...

Costs continue to decline for US airlines

January 13, 2010, 9:18 pm

The US airline cost index, produced by the Air Transport Association, reveals that costs are continuing to decline for the US airline industry for the third consecutive quarter. One of the biggest questions for 2010 is whether security costs, in the...

GDSs account for USD268 billion of travel revenue

January 13, 2010, 9:04 pm

The Global Distribution Systems (GDS) industry processed more than 1.1 billion travel transactions in 2008, representing more than USD268 billion in global travel sales. PhoCusWright, in what it calls the "most comprehensive study ever done into the...

Peanuts Weekly Survey

January 13, 2010, 8:46 pm

The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, publishers of Peanuts! Weekly, is always looking to improve our news and information service and appreciate very much the valuable feedback that we receive from our clients.

Auckland Airport should be on a winner buying into Cairns and Mackay Airports. Who's next?

January 13, 2010, 8:45 pm

New Zealand's Auckland International Airport (AIAL) has agreed to purchase a 24.55% stake from Westpac Bank in North Queensland Airports (NQA), the operator of Cairns Airport and Mackay Airport, for NZD166.5 million (AUD133.5 million, USD123.4...

The Big Three European LCCs transport over 139 million passengers in 2009, up 7.7%

January 13, 2010, 8:44 pm

Ryanair, easyJet and Air Berlin handled over 139 million passengers in 2009 between them, a 7.7% year-on-year increase, despite 2009 being one of the most challenging years ever for the European aviation industry. The combined figure of the three...

OAG sees positive results for 2010 capacity

January 13, 2010, 8:35 pm

Worldwide airline capacity for Jan-2010 is positive compared to Jan-2009, according to OAG, marking the fifth consecutive month in which airline capacity has grown. Globally, some 294.6 million available seats are scheduled this this month, up 3%...

European airports lead the way: Share wrap

January 13, 2010, 8:23 pm

Major European airport operators were among the positive performers yesterday. TAV Airports and Copenhagen Airport, gained 5.6% and 3.7%, respectively. Denmark’s Copenhagen International Airport reported a 3.9% year-on-year increase in passenger...

1times Holdings falls with wider market; Jazeera makes strong gains

January 13, 2010, 12:28 am

In Africa, 1time Holdings dropped 2.8% on Tuesday (12-Jan-2010), as the South African FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index fell for the first time in three days, dropping 1%, to 28,057.68. Kenya Airways meanwhile continued to rise, up 1.2%.

Alaska Air on uptrend; TAM and GOL falter; Delta and Continental increase baggage fees

January 13, 2010, 12:15 am

The majority of North and South American carriers’ stocks were down with the wider market on Tuesday (12-Jan-2010), as aluminium producer, Alcoa, reported disappointing results for 4Q2009, raising concerns of the strength of the economic recovery....

Air France's winning streak comes to an end on traffic results; Lufthansa, British Airways also down

January 12, 2010, 11:42 pm

European share markets were down on Tuesday on news corporate results in the US did not meet expectations, leading investors to doubt the strength of the economic recovery. Investors are now concerned markets may have advanced too quickly over the...

Malaysia Airports surges on development updates

January 12, 2010, 8:56 pm

Shares in Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) surged 8.0% yesterday, as the company announced plans to proceed with its USD87.1 million construction programme, through the award of a key contract.

Deliveries up and orders down for Airbus and Embraer

January 12, 2010, 8:53 pm

European aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, and Brazil’s jet maker, Embraer, both announced record deliveries for 2009, but their order backlogs have also been suffering as carriers slashed ordering, put off options and deferred deliveries thorough...

Air Berlin enters USD100 million aviation components financial agreement; Tiger brings forward A320s

January 12, 2010, 8:42 pm

Air Berlin’s shares fell 2.3% yesterday, on news that the German LCC reported a 6.5% year-on-year reduction in revenue per ASK (RASK) to EUR 5.33 cents in Dec-2009, for only the second year-on-year RASK reduction in over 20 months.

oneworld USD2billion Japan Airlines offer - and even Cathay joins the party. Delta still favourites

January 12, 2010, 7:25 pm

The oneworld team yesterday increased its JAL offer by USD300 million, to around USD2 billion plus turnaround expertise. However, the offer, spread over three years, mostly includes the USD1.5 billion in synergies that JAL is already getting from...

JAL’s share price slumps; Cathay yields higher in Dec-2009; Jet expects improved yields in 2010

January 12, 2010, 7:24 pm

JAL’s share price slumped 45% to a record low and reached the trading limit on 12-Jan-2010, as investors rushed to sell JAL shares on speculation it would file for the country’s sixth largest bankruptcy. Despite JAL's falls, Japan’s Nikkei 225...

Next Gen key step: ADS-B helping Houston Controllers in the Gulf

January 12, 2010, 7:18 pm

A key technology in the US Next Generation air traffic control system has been deployed to Houston and is now significantly increasing capacity and helping controllers track traffic over the Gulf of Mexico, something it could not do before, owing to...

2010 Year of the Asian Airline Bailout: China Eastern, Air India, JAL, THAI, MAS & Garuda

January 12, 2010, 1:20 am

Embattled Asia Pacific airlines will receive multi-billion dollar bailouts under the guise of restructuring programmes this year. Japan Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Air India are requiring the biggest surgery, while Garuda Indonesia, Thai...

Kenyan Airways up on improved trading in Kenya; Air Arabia down

January 12, 2010, 12:57 am

Kenyan Airways (+4.5%) stocks made gains on Monday (11-Jan-2009) after Kenyan stocks rose to their highest point in almost 12 months. Nairobi Stock Exchange’s All-Share Index gained 1.4%.

UPS and FedEx continue rise; LAN up on traffic results

January 12, 2010, 12:42 am

North and South American stocks were mixed on Monday (11-Jan-2010), despite a slight drop in oil prices (-0.3%), to USD82.58, and gains in the wider market, with the Dow ending trading up (+0.4%). The AMEX Airline Index (-0.3%) dropped slightly as a...

Aircraft leasing market going up (and down) – Suppliers Share Wrap

January 12, 2010, 12:39 am

Aircraft leasing companies filled both ends of The Centre’s suppliers share wrap today. Regional lessor, Aircastle, and private lessor, Air Partner, both gained 5% yesterday.

Ryanair falls on analyst downgrade; plans for new competitor for Aeroflot up in the air

January 12, 2010, 12:07 am

Ryanair (-1.8%) fell on news RBS downgraded the carrier’s shares from ‘Buy’ to ‘Hold’. The analysts stated that Ryanair’s shares have risen 21% in the past two months on the clarification of its fleet plans earlier this month.

Southwest trumps JetBlue, US Airways and Continental in the yield growth stakes in Dec-2009

January 11, 2010, 10:09 pm

Southwest continued to trump JetBlue, US Airways and Continental Airlines in the yield growth stakes in Dec-2009, with the US LCC the only carrier to report yield growth in the month. JetBlue, US Airways and Continental all reported PRASM...

Dufry Group proposes merger of subsidiaries to simplify its corporate structure

January 11, 2010, 9:44 pm

Shares in airport retailer, DUFRY, led the way up yesterday (+5.3%) as the Group proposed to combine Dufry AG (DAG) with Dufry South America Ltd (DSA).

Japan Airlines to file for bankruptcy on 19-Jan-2010 UPDATE: Shares Plunge

January 11, 2010, 9:40 pm

Japan Airlines (JAL) reportedly plans to file for bankruptcy on 19-Jan-2010 and embark on a government-led turnaround. JAL's stock plunged after the Monday national holiday, ending the Tuesday morning session at JPY37 - JPY30 below Friday's close....

Christmas delivers for Hactl and AAT; notable pick up in Hong Kong cargo in Nov-2009 and Dec-2009

January 11, 2010, 8:23 pm

Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) and AAT reported double-digit freight growth in Dec-2009, as Hong Kong's cargo volumes moved up significantly towards the end of the year in the pre-Christmas period, following last year's disappointment.

Air Berlin’s RASK up in the full year but weaker in Dec-2009; Monarch sees over 6.3 million pax

January 11, 2010, 8:17 pm

Air Berlin reported a 6.5% year-on-year reduction in revenue per ASK (RASK) to EUR 5.33 cents in Dec-2009, for only the second year-on-year RASK reduction in over 20 months, although this was off strong RASK growth of 17.6% in Dec-2008. RASK...

TAV on course to double passenger numbers by 2020; Aggressive expansion paying off

January 11, 2010, 7:12 pm

Turkey’s TAV Havalimanlari Holding AS (TAV Airports Holding), Turkey’s largest airports operator, has reported its financial estimates for the full year 2009. Anticipating growth in revenues and EBITDA, TAV has shrugged off a difficult start to...

EVA Air’s passengers yields remain weak, but cargo yields improving

January 11, 2010, 6:56 pm

Taiwan’s EVA Air continued to experience passenger yield weakness in Dec-2009, although the worst may now be behind the carrier, as yields appear to have bottomed out in Jul-2009/Aug-2009 and are starting a slow but steady improvement.

2010 to be a “transformational” yet “tough” year for Air Canada and WestJet

January 11, 2010, 5:00 pm

Air Canada and WestJet continued to face challenging operating conditions in Dec-2009, characterised by continued economic weakness, soft travel demand and aggressive pricing. Winter storms/delays and increased security measures at Canadian airports...

Virgin Atlantic puts more pressure to reject BA/AA deal

January 11, 2010, 4:58 pm

Submitting new comments relating to the Department of Justice’s (DoJ) rejection of the BA/AA oneworld anti trust immunity (ATI) petition, Virgin Atlantic echoed the DoJ in its submission to the Department of Transportation (DoT), saying it, too,...

Sorry Alaska, Virgin America IS American

January 11, 2010, 3:22 pm

As much as Alaska Airlines did not want to hear it, the Department of Transportation ruled on Friday that Virgin America remains a US citizen and is under the active control of US citizens. The ruling re-affirms its 2007 certification when the...

Aer Lingus anticipates a “small operating profit” in 2H2009, Finnair traffic improving

January 10, 2010, 10:13 pm

Shares in Aer Lingus rose 3.9% on Friday, upon the release of the carrier’s traffic report for 2009 and expectations of reporting an operating profit for 2H2009.

Boeing to terminate the B787-3? – Suppliers Share Wrap

January 10, 2010, 10:07 pm

All Nippon Airways’ decision to convert its 28 B787-3 orders for B787-8s may have spelled the end of the high-capacity, medium range version of Boeing’s new aircraft. Randy Tinseth, VP Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, stated that...

GOL and TAM soar, UPS increases earnings expectations for 4Q2009

January 10, 2010, 9:36 pm

The majority of North American carriers’ stocks were down on Friday (08-Jan-2010), while the majority of South American carriers were up with the wider economy. As a result, the AMEX Airline Index dropped 0.2%. Stocks were also dragged down by a...

GOL seeing “gradual recovery in yields”; Fourth consecutive month of RASM growth for Southwest

January 10, 2010, 9:24 pm

GOL’s shares gained 7.1% on Friday, the largest gain in a month, despite Brazil’s Bovespa index dropping for a second day, paring its third straight weekly gain.

TAV Holding expects EBITDA growth of 20% in 2009, Auckland Airport snaps up Cairns/Mackay stake

January 10, 2010, 9:08 pm

Shares in Turkey’s largest airport operator, TAV Holding, soared 8.2% at the end of last week (08-Jan-2010) following a statement by CEO, Sani Sener, that the group expects a 1%-3% increase in revenues to up to EUR640 million in 2009.

Air India to restructure its fleet and network: fleet to be slashed by 25%

January 10, 2010, 9:06 pm

Air India, which expects to receive its first infusion of INR20 billion (USD430 million) from the Indian Government ahead of 31-Mar-2010, is entering the initial stages of its challenging restructure, targeted at the rationalisation of its fleet and...

Japan Airlines’ shares sink as bankruptcy looms

January 10, 2010, 7:32 pm

Japan Airlines (JAL) shares fell a further 11.8% yesterday as investors brace for a probable bankruptcy filing on 19-Jan-2010. JAL’s largest lenders, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group, are...

Chicago to reignite Midway Airport privatisation? Who will bid?

January 10, 2010, 4:26 pm

Chicago City reportedly plans to complete Midway Airport’s privatisation by the end of 2010 after failing to do so in early 2009. The City has until 01-Feb-2010 to submit a new privatisation timeline to the FAA or it will lose its slot in the...

Sorry Alaska, Virgin America IS American

January 10, 2010, 4:20 pm

As much as Alaska Airlines did not want to hear it, the Department of Transportation ruled on Friday that Virgin America remains a US citizen and is under the active control of US citizens. The ruling re-affirms its 2007 certification when the...

Oil surges back on heavy winter demand. Jet fuel prices jump

January 8, 2010, 2:37 am

The bitter Northern Hemisphere winter conditions are providing more than just operational hassles for airlines, as resurgent oil demand has pushed prices firmly back above USD80 per barrel in the first week of trading in 2010, taking jet fuel prices...

Delta Air Lines reports less impressive traffic results than Continental; Republic down

January 7, 2010, 9:35 pm

The majority of North and South American carriers’ stocks rebounded again on Thursday (07-Jan-2010), as oil prices (-0.6%) fell for the first time in ten days, to USD82.66. The AMEX Airline Index made gains as a result, up 1.5%. Airline stocks...

Boeing announces its 2009 scorecard. Few goals – Suppliers Share Wrap

January 7, 2010, 9:28 pm

Boeing has finished 2009 with 142 net orders, the lowest number the manufacturer has received since 1994, when it booked 125 orders. Cancellations have been the cause of much of Boeing’s woes this year. Despite the low year-end orders figure,...

European markets flat, airline stocks mixed –Europe share wrap

January 7, 2010, 9:19 pm

Airline stocks were mixed yesterday with little movement on the European markets. The Paris CAC Index was flat, while the Frankfurt DAX dipped 0.03% and London FTSE 100 added 0.06%.

Double-digit yield contractions for Norwegian; Eight months of PRASM reductions for JetBlue

January 7, 2010, 9:12 pm

Scandinavia’s largest LCC, Norwegian Air Shuttle, reported another double-digit yield reduction in Dec-2009, with an estimate of NOK0.55 (EUR 6.72 cents) for Dec-2009, a 17% year-on-year fall. It follows a 20% reduction in Nov-2009, for the sixth...

Wizz Air continues fast-growth trajectory

January 7, 2010, 9:11 pm

Eastern/Central Europe’s largest LCC, Wizz Air, handled 7.8 million passengers in 2009 - a 33% year-on-year increase. The carrier’s expansion efforts during the year, which also saw the LCC open a new base in Prague, take delivery of seven new...

Obama: The Buck Stops Here. "Alarming" aviation security failure

January 7, 2010, 7:53 pm

President Barack Obama deflected critics and declared war on Al Queda outlining security reforms designed to strengthen the shield America needs in “a never ending war.” The security report, coming just 13 days after the Christmas Day bombing...

ACI: “Industry remains on track for a rebound” – Airport share wrap

January 7, 2010, 7:40 pm

Airport share worldwide were mixed yesterday after strong start to 2010. Airports Council International (ACI) reports steady improvements in Nov-2009 traffic, an indication that the industry “remains on track for a rebound".

November set US records for on time performance and baggage

January 7, 2010, 7:37 pm

A month before the Department of Transportation issued its Christmas directive setting out a three-hour limit on delays, US airlines were turning in record-breaking results for on-time operations and for baggage, making it the best report in the 15...

DOT rule on tarmac delays needs revision

January 7, 2010, 7:30 pm

The ink is hardly dry on the Department of Transportation’s three-hour tarmac rule and travel professionals, while still in favor of the rule, are calling its effective date this spring to be postponed by as much as eight months, citing the moves...

Mesa bankruptcy a long time coming - UPDATE: Mesa gains court approval for motions

January 7, 2010, 7:11 pm

The US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York granted numerous motions made the first day of Mesa Air Group’s bankruptcy proceeding, including those requesting it be able to pay employees, suppliers and customers, and taxes as well...

Massive net loss for JAL anticipated; double-digit pax and freight growth again for Hainan Airlines

January 7, 2010, 6:59 pm

JAL’s shares tumbled 9.5% yesterday, after the Nikkei reported that the carrier was likely to post a net loss of USD13.3 billion in the current financial year, due to a huge restructuring charge of approximately USD12 billion related to fleet...

Airport passenger traffic back in positive territory in all categories - ACI

January 7, 2010, 6:57 pm

Worldwide airport passenger demand returned to positive territory in Nov-2009 for the first time since the onset of the global financial crisis. Airports Council International (ACI) reports member airports registered a 4% year-on-year increase in...

AirAsia and Jetstar join forces: a potential killer combination in Asia

January 7, 2010, 5:22 pm

AirAsia and Jetstar, the two biggest low cost airlines in Asia, have set the scene for what offers the promise of a powerful combination in Asia, by announcing their first steps in a non-equity partnership. The party could become even more...

The A380: Three years in, where next for Airbus’ giant?

January 7, 2010, 12:59 am

The A380 is entering its third year of commercial service, and, despite continued operational niggles and production difficulties at the manufacturer, the aircraft is a hit with both passengers and airlines. Its combination of exclusivity, large...

Japan’s forgotten airlines: the Japanese LCC segment

January 7, 2010, 12:19 am

Japan’s two major airlines – Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways – have featured prominently in the news of late, but very little is known about Japan’s low cost carriers, despite five LCCs operating in the market for most of last decade....

Virgin Blue – has its “New World Carrier” experiment been a success?

January 7, 2010, 12:18 am

Virgin Blue repositioned itself as a “New World Carrier” in 2005, following the introduction of Jetstar by Qantas in May of that year, in a move to allow it to compete better against both Qantas and Jetstar in the Australian domestic market.

AirAsia and Jetstar join forces: a potential killer combination in Asia

January 6, 2010, 10:22 pm

AirAsia and Jetstar, the two biggest low cost airlines in Asia, have set the scene for what offers the promise of a powerful combination in Asia, by announcing their first steps in a non-equity partnership. The party could become even more...

Vinci regains its appetite for airports

January 6, 2010, 9:03 pm

VINCI Airports acquired (04-Jan-2010) a 99% stake in the capital of the operating companies of four regional airports in France - Grenoble-Isère, Chambéry-Savoie, Clermont Ferrand-Auvergne and Quimper-Cornouaille airports - following an...

Babcock & Brown Air up 10%, Expedia dives 5% on lower margin forecasts - Suppliers Share Wrap

January 6, 2010, 8:57 pm

Babcock & Brown Air shares leapt 10.1% in trading on Wednesday, breaching the USD10 per share barrier for the first time since Sep-2009. The increase is the largest single day jump since Nov-2009.

US Airways and American Airlines traffic results push stocks down, Air Canada up

January 6, 2010, 8:15 pm

The majority of North American carriers fell on Wednesday (06-Jan-2010), softening the impact of strong gains made the day prior. The Dow wavered throughout trading, following reports the US economy lost 84,000 jobs in Dec-2009, which was greater...

GAP’s five-year capital budget approved, Dec-2009 traffic mixed, Hainan Airport remains on a high

January 6, 2010, 8:12 pm

Shares in Mexico’s airport operator, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) gained 0.8% in trading yesterday after reporting mixed traffic results in Dec-2009.

Record traffic for AirTran in Dec-2009; Double-digit RASM reductions for WestJet in 4Q2009

January 6, 2010, 8:05 pm

AirTran Airways set new December records for traffic, capacity and enplaned passengers in Dec-2009, with traffic (RPMs) rising 5.3% on a 8.2% capacity (ASMs) increase, and the number of enplaned passengers up 1.7% to over 1.9 million. Load factors,...

Mesa bankruptcy a long time coming - UPDATE: Mesa delisted

January 6, 2010, 8:02 pm

Nasdaq Stock Market informed Mesa Air Group, a day into a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it will delist the company and Mesa indicated in a statement it would take no further action. This is the second time the market has delisted Mesa, but Mesa appealed...

British Airways positive, while traffic remains negative and threat of strike action persists

January 6, 2010, 8:02 pm

Shares in British Airways climbed 1.0% yesterday, upon the release of the carrier’s traffic report for Dec-2009.

JAL’s share price yo-yo continues; ANA benefiting from JAL’s woes

January 6, 2010, 7:08 pm

Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average increased 0.5%, for the third consecutive session and to a 15-month closing high on Wednesday, on positive economic data from the US, in the form of better-than-expected US factory orders.

Turkish Airlines SWOT Analysis: Can the dream continue?

January 6, 2010, 12:56 am

Turkish Airlines is a rising force in the European and Middle East aviation industry, capturing the interest of investors, alliance partners and rivals. The fast-growing carrier is not only increasing its size at a time when the majority of its...

Cairo: Hoping for Hubbing

January 5, 2010, 11:18 pm

Cairo Airport (CAI) is one part of Egypt’s aviation sector that is centrally administered by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The airport - along with others in the country - is part of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports & Air Navigation,...

Continental Airlines’ yields, cash outlook and traffic levels improve in Dec-2009. Shares soar

January 5, 2010, 11:17 pm

Continental Airlines reported an encouraging set of traffic results for Dec-2009, with the smallest yield contraction in 12 months, and improved cash balances, traffic and record load factors.

Mesa bankruptcy a long time coming

January 5, 2010, 11:16 pm

Mesa’s bankruptcy filing yesterday was really no surprise, given its two-year spiral and the potential loss of two of its three partners. The 28-year-old company filed for Chapter 11 in the US Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York...

Jetstar and AirAsia form cost-based alliance, pressure on Airbus/Boeing for new narrowbodies

January 5, 2010, 11:14 pm

Jetstar and AirAsia are claiming a world-first in the establishment of their new alliance centred on cost reduction and the pooling of expertise that aims to deliver cheaper fares for passengers of both carriers. The core of the agreement is a...

My name is Bond, Airport Bond

January 5, 2010, 11:13 pm

Common in the US as a means of raising finance for airport infrastructure projects that aren’t wholly covered by FAA grants – although their value had been diminished by the imposition of the Alternative Minimum Tax until relief was provided...

Continental and United traffic results boost stocks; Mesa Air Group commences restructuring

January 5, 2010, 10:05 pm

North and South American airline stocks surged on Tuesday (05-Jan-2010), following reports of improved traffic by some US carriers, further encouraging investors who are hoping 2010 will bring improved airline performance as the economy recovers.

Europe airline stocks continue strong start for New Year – Share Wrap

January 5, 2010, 9:56 pm

European airline stocks continued to climb yesterday - the second day of full trade in 2010. The London FTSE 100 gained 0.40%, the Paris CAC Index rose 0.22%, while Frankfurt DAX was positive 0.12%.

A year of growth for Allegiant in 2009

January 5, 2010, 9:53 pm

Airline shares were in positive territory yesterday, as carriers are reporting better-than-expected Dec-2009 traffic data (so far United Airlines, Continental, Alaska Airways and Allegiant have reported traffic results, with the remaining US...

Hainan and Beijing airports soar, Aeroports de Paris launches EUR134.7 million bond issue

January 5, 2010, 9:50 pm

Shares in Chinese airports, Hainan Meilan and Beijing Capital, soared 7.6% and 4.7%, respectively, as airports worldwide continued their strong New Year performance, despite ongoing security concerns.

Jetstar and AirAsia form a new ‘world-first’ alliance; Qantas cancels AAPA membership

January 5, 2010, 6:43 pm

Jetstar and AirAsia today confirmed plans to form a new “world-first” low cost airline alliance, centred on cost reductions and the pooling of expertise that aims to deliver cheaper fares for passengers of both carriers.

Airbus secures a new order to kick off 2009, Boeing jumps on analyst upgrades – Suppliers Share Wrap

January 4, 2010, 9:17 pm

Airbus ended 2009 well, with at least 61 orders in Dec-2009, and the beginning of 2010 looks to be continuing in a similar vein.

TAM, Continental, UPS on the rise; US carriers fall on fare hike

January 4, 2010, 9:15 pm

North and South American carriers’ stocks were mixed on Monday (04-Jan-2010), with the majority of US carriers down as oil prices surged again, rising 2.2% to USD81.51 per barrel. The AMEX Airline Index rose only 0.5% as a result. The Dow...

Europe markets commence trade for 2010 positive – Europe share wrap

January 4, 2010, 9:08 pm

The majority of European airline stocks moved upward yesterday, as the markets returned to full trade for the first time in the New Year with a strong start. The Paris CAC Index gained 1.78%, FTSE 100 rose 1.62%, while Frankfurt DAX was positive...

Stocks rise to 15-month highs; Air Berlin’s rating raised on improved outlook

January 4, 2010, 9:07 pm

World stocks (the MSCI's all-country world stock index) and European shares (the FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index) both rose to 15-month highs on the first day of 2010 trading, up 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively.

Mexican airports surge as global airport shares rally

January 4, 2010, 7:04 pm

Shares in airports worldwide started the year on a positive note, with the majority of airports closing higher in trading yesterday, led by Mexican airport operators, GAP and ASUR, which soared 5.2% and 4.5%, respectively.

US airlines: great websites, but lousy products. United may however be reforming, with good cause

January 4, 2010, 6:41 pm

From Ron Kuhlman, with the Centre: “These precedent-setting enforcement actions involve consent orders that reflected a settlement by the carriers of violations alleged by DOT's Aviation Enforcement Office. They are the first enforcement orders...

JAL’s shares surge as credit is boosted; Asiana’s debts to be frozen

January 4, 2010, 6:25 pm

Asian stock markets generally started 2010 on a positive note, with Japan's Nikkei 225 up 1.1%, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gaining 0.2%, South Korea's Kospi Composite up 0.3% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index 0.3% higher.

What ails Hochtief?

January 3, 2010, 11:30 pm

The sudden and surprising news that Reinhard Kalenda, the CEO of Germany’s Hochtief AG airport division, Hochtief AirPort, had resigned from the company with immediate effect on 30-Dec-2009, again directs attention on to an organisation that has...

FAA to keep an eye on American Airlines; Air Canada, Fedex slips

January 3, 2010, 10:10 pm

North and South American carriers’ stocks continued to suffer on the final day of trading for 2009 (31-Dec-2009), following the failed terrorist attack on a Northwest service from Detroit via Amsterdam earlier in the week. As a result, the AMEX...

Chinese airports remain mixed, BAA parent, Ferrovial strong while AdP continues to slide

January 3, 2010, 9:39 pm

Shares in Chinese airports remained mixed on 31-Dec-2009 with Shanghai Airport (+2.9%) and Beijing Airport (+2.4%) leading the charge, while Hainan Meilan International Airport lost ground, declining 1.9%.

Qantas and AirAsia to announce strategic partnership details; Tiger to launch IPO investor roadshow

January 3, 2010, 9:37 pm

AirAsia’s shares gained 2.2% on 31-Dec-2009, ending the year with share price growth of 57% in 2009.

Turkish Airlines believes now is right time to expand - Europe share wrap

January 3, 2010, 9:35 pm

Airline share prices moved modestly in light New Year trade on Friday, with scattered European markets open for trade. Shares in Aegean Airlines (+4.4%), Aer Lingus (+3.2%) and Air France-KLM (+0.7%) were among the gains.

Boeing and Airbus end 2009 with solid ordering – Suppliers Share Wrap

January 3, 2010, 7:58 pm

Boeing’s latest update to its orders and deliveries website revealed what must be a pleasing end to 2009 for the US manufacturer. Not only did All Nippon Airways order five B767s and five B777s but “Unidentified Customer(s)” also placed orders...

Turkish Airlines the biggest stock gainer in 2009, Japan Airlines the biggest loser

January 3, 2010, 7:44 pm

2009 was a very difficult year for the global airline industry in 2009, with IATA estimating combined losses of USD11 billion for the sector – or a loss of roughly USD4.95 per passenger from the 2.22 billion people that boarded aircraft around the...

Malaysia Airlines shares drop, but sees brighter 2010, Virgin Blue’s shares rise

January 3, 2010, 7:15 pm

Malaysia Airlines’ (MAS) shares fell 6.5% on 31-Dec-2009 and closed the year down 9% (one of just three Asia Pacific airlines’ shares to have fallen over the full year of 2009) as investors respond to developments in airline’s strategy.

Japan Airlines strikes back: CEO seeks to clear the air – favours Delta switch?

January 3, 2010, 7:14 pm

The controversy and confusion surrounding Japan Airlines has intensified over the New Year period, with the state-owned Development Bank of Japan committing to double its credit line for the beleaguered airline to JPY200 billion (USD2.2 billion) in...