- Northwest, Flight Attendants to Agree[Jul. 18, 2006]
Northwest Airlines reached a new tentative agreement on wage and benefit reductions with its flight attendants yesterday, striking an accord on $195 million in annual cuts that averts a potential work action and seemingly paves the way for the carrier's eventual emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.Northwest had been granted permission by a US bankruptcy judge to impose a new contract on the flight attendants as of today (ATWOnline, July 3), a move the cabin workers said would lead to a strike. But "around the clock negotiations" with the Assn. of Flight Attendants-CWA, which replaced the Professional Flight Attendants Assn. as the Northwest cabin crews' bargaining representative earlier this month (ATWOnline, July 7), achieved the "required" savings, said Northwest President and CEO Doug Steenland.
- The West Paces Hotel Group Selects CRS[Jun. 19, 2006]
CHICAGO (June 7, 2006) -- TravelCLICK Inc., a leading provider of hotel business process management (BPM) solutions, announced today that The West Paces Hotel Group, a renowned international hotel and resort management company, will implement an integrated TravelCLICK distribution solution to drive increased revenue across its various brands. TravelCLICK's iHotelier Central Reservation System (CRS) will act as the distribution hub for website and GDS reservations, while market intelligence and marketing solutions provide decision support and demand growth for seven managed properties and three Solis brand hotels.
- Give the People What They Want[Jun. 19, 2006]
Count us among those who applauded when Northwest Airlines began offering passengers the opportunity to reserve a select number of aisle or exit row seats in the economy cabin for an additional fee of $15. Whether or not the program is successful over the long termand early returns are encouragingNorthwest has taken an important step down the road toward product differentiation. All coach seats are not the same, so why behave as if they are? Moreover, it has put the consumer in charge of the purchase decision. If you don't care where you sit, or you don't think a seat on the aisle is worth the extra cash, you don't have to buy it. We'll bet there are plenty of Southwest Airlines loyalists who nevertheless would happily pay for the ability to pre-select a seat.
- Airbus Reassures Airlines on A380[Jun. 19, 2006]
Airbus and parent EADS responded to increasing criticism over A380 program delays announced last week, with the focus intensifying on EADS Co-CEO Noel Forgeard's sale of ?2.5 million ($3.2 million) in stock options three months prior to EADS' stock sinking 26% on June 14 on news of the next-generation aircraft program's setback.Forgeard, who served as Airbus CEO until last year, told Europe 1 radio that he first learned of potential new problems with the A380 program in April and claimed the stock sale was "an unfortunate coincidence."
- EADS Co-CEO Enders Breaks Silence[Jun. 19, 2006]
EADS Co-Chief Executive Thomas Enders broke his silence on the crisis surrounding Europe's largest aerospace group on Sunday, saying it is a matter for the whole group, not just for Airbus.
- Continental Airlines Strives for Routes[Jun. 19, 2006]
The graph above showed that Ned Walker, the Senior Vice-President of Global Corporate Communications of Continental Airlines, is optimistic in the carrier's strive for new direct service between New York and Shanghai to be awarded in New York's celebration.
- Travelocity to Distribute Biggest Group[Jul. 18, 2006]
China's hotel group, Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Company Ltd. (Jin Jiang Hotels) has made Travelocity its first global online travel marketing partner by joining its Net Rate Hotel programme. Jin Jiang owns and manages more than 220 hotels and inns throughout China with 46,000 rooms. (7/18/2006)
- Indigo Partners Takes over at Spirit[Jul. 17, 2006]
Spirit Airlines announced last week that Indigo Partners, the Arizona-based investment firm run by former America West Airlines head William Franke and Oaktree Capital Management of California, which already was a Spirit investor, "will provide significant resources for the Company to consolidate its position as the leading low-cost carrier to the Caribbean and pursue its long-term growth strategy."Franke has been named Spirit's chairman, a role he also holds at Wizz Air and Tiger Airways. Amount of the investment was not disclosed. "Indigo and Oaktree provide Spirit with significant industry experience and financial strength," recently appointed President and CEO Ben Baldanza said. "This new investment shows their commitment to Spirit's success." Franke said Indigo looked at the business plans of several US LCCs and was "particularly attracted to the Spirit opportunity."
- Delta Signs LOI for Lease of 10 757s[Jul. 17, 2006]
Delta Air Lines told the US Bankruptcy Court in New York last week that it has signed a letter of intent with ILFC to lease 10 757-200ERs.The aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW2037s, will be delivered from July 15 through Nov. 15, 2007, after undergoing C checks and painting, and will be leased for seven years and three months each, according to the filing. The rent figures were not disclosed.
- EVA Air's Boeing 777-300ER Has Arrived[Jul. 16, 2006]
Look! Up in the sky! It's green, it's orange, it's Taiwan's EVA Air's Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) arriving at the Farnborough International Air Show airfield. The new jetliner Boeing delivered to EVA Air last month features a special livery and will be on static display during the air show from July 17-23.