- United: $3billion loan to leave Chapter11[Jan. 10, 2006]
United Airlines parent UAL Corp. remains on course to leave bankruptcy in early February after the company announced the launch of its oversubscribed exit financing loan for up to $3 billion.The six-year loan consists of a $300 million revolving credit facility and an up-to-$2.7 billion term loan, both priced at LIBOR plus 450 basis points. It is secured by "substantially all available assets."
- FAA proposes fine against Alaska Air[Jan. 08, 2006]
US regulators proposed a USD$500,000 fine against Alaska Airlines on Friday for allegedly operating a passenger jet on 478 flights without proper lighting to identify emergency exits.
- American Air executives to get payouts[Jan. 08, 2006]
About 1,000 American Airlines executives are set to receive payouts because of the rise in share price of parent AMR Corp, the company said on Friday.
- Nigeria clear forest around Lagos port[Jan. 08, 2006]
Nigeria will clear a thick forest and stagnant ponds at Lagos Airport as part of urgent reforms to the aviation sector after two plane crashes that killed more than 200 people, the airports authority said on Sunday.
- Some FLYi employees got golden parachute[Jan. 08, 2006]
FLYi, parent of Independence Air, grounded its fleet Jan. 5 following its last flight, an A319 from Tampa that landed at Washington Dulles.Some 2,700 workers were left unemployed by the shutdown. The low-fare carrier, formerly known as Atlantic Coast Airlines, made the decision Jan. 2 to cease operating after failing to gain financial support from outside investors.
- NWA: Large RJs could work in 100 markets[Jan. 09, 2006]
Northwest Airlines' markets are particularly well-adapted for new-generation large regional jets, the company argues in a special edition of its internal newsletter Passages.As previously reported, the carrier is seeking permission from its pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Assn., to create a standalone subsidiary to operate 70/100-seat jets (ATWOnline, Jan. 6).
- United Kingdom NATS sees record year[Jan. 09, 2006]
National Air Traffic Services said it handled a record 2.3 million flights through British airspace in 2005, a rise of 5.7% over the previous year and the highest annual growth since 1999.An increase in service by low-cost carriers to Eastern Europe contributed to the record, with flights to the region jumping 36.5% over the 12 months. Traffic to the Middle East, Asia and Africa also showed significant growth, rising 12.9%. However, the strong gains in domestic traffic seen all year slowed considerably after the start of the winter schedule, from a peak increase of 9.5% in May to 0.4% in December. Transatlantic overflights remained below 2000 levels.
- Airbus and Boeing race goes to the wire[Jan. 05, 2006]
Boeing has had its most successful year ever in 2005 in terms of orders, but Airbus could still beat its rival later this month if it firms a series of crucial commitments.
- Airbus A380's engine FAA certificated[Jan. 06, 2006]
The General Electric/Pratt & Whitney-led Engine Alliance received certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration yesterday (4 January) of its GP7200 engine for the Airbus A380 super large aircraft and aims to start flight tests in Toulouse in the second quarter.
- US Northwest lays plans for regional ops[Jan. 06, 2006]
Northwest Airlines plans to establish a separate unit that will fly new, regional jets to smaller cities that it currently serves as soon as 2007, according to a company newsletter.