- 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."
- Europe Lays Down the Law on Air Marshals[Jun. 19, 2006]
The European Parliament last week called for a "strict" regulation on the use of Sky Marshals onboard aircraft.MEPs are insisting that weapons "shall not be carried onboard an aircraft, unless the required security conditions have been fulfilled, and authorization has been given by the state granting the operating license to the air carrier concerned." They are demanding prior approval by the state of departure, the state of arrival and, where applicable, "any state which is overflown or where intermediate stops are made." No member state will be obliged to accept inflight security officers.
- 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.
- Air Canada Marks Daily Non-Stop Service[Jun. 17, 2006]
The departure (June 17) of flight AC 995 marks the inaugural of non-stop daily service linking Montreal and its extensive eastern Canada network, with the Mexican capital. "The introduction of daily non-stop Air Canada flights between Montreal and Mexico City is great news for Montrealers and consumers in eastern Canada seeking value and convenience in air travel to Mexico, whether for business, vacation or visiting friends and family," said Ben Smith, Vice President, Network Planning. "We expect our new non-stop service to be equally popular for Mexicans."
- Lukou Airport Attracts Int'l Investors[Jun. 13, 2006]
On 12th June, China-CBN learned that, Nanjing Lukou International Airport (short for "Lukou Airport"), which meant to introduce strategic investors, were partially purchased by Changi Airport in Singapore and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol NV, which both ranked as one of the five largest airports worldwide. Jiangsu Provincial Government and State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council of People's Republic of China, hoped to introduce several airports with foreign capital as strategic investors and speed up the development of Lukou Airport, through sales of 40%-45% total shares in Lukou Airport.
- EVA Invests in Shanghai Airlines' Cargo Unit[Jun. 13, 2006]
Graph: Taiwan investment groups headed by Taipei-based China Airlines signed a contract with Hainan Airlines in Haikou to become a shareholder of Hainan Airlines' Yangtze River Express on 12th September 2005. China Airlines got 25% holdings, three Taiwan transportation enterprises such as Yes Logistics Corp., Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp., Wan Hai Lines Ltd. got an average of 8% holdings. This action was the first example of cross-strait joint investment in airline operations. Photo: Wang Xinli (Xinhua)
- Tibetan Girl as Airplane Security Guard[Jun. 16, 2006]
- US Airlines Can Find Capital for Deal[Jun. 15, 2006]
A Bush administration plan to ease restrictions on foreign investment in US airlines could help a struggling industry, but analysts and consultants say there is plenty of money at home for the right deal, recently reported Reuters. (6/15/2006)
- Marco Polo Continues China Expansion[Jun. 12, 2006]
Marco Polo Hotels today announces the management of two new properties in China-the Marco Polo Wuhan in Hubei and the Marco Polo Chengdu in Sichuan. Developed and owned by Wharf Estates China Limited, Marco Polo Wuhan and Marco Polo Chengdu will be part of a multi-purpose complex that will be comprised of a hotel, residential towers and retail center.
- Delta Continues Growth to Mexico[Jun. 12, 2006]
Delta Air Lines has received U.S. Department of Transportation approval to offer customers nonstop flights between its largest hub in Atlanta and the picturesque Mexican destination of Leon/Guanajuato effective Dec. 1. The new daily flight, which will be operated by Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines using 70-seat jets*, and is still subject to foreign government approval, will supplement existing service from Atlanta to 10 other cities in Mexico, including new nonstop Delta service launched in the last year to Acapulco, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Merida and Puerto Vallarta.