- European Commission Unveils Proposal[Jul. 19, 2006]
The European Commission yesterday released its "Proposed Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on Common Rules for Air Services in the European Union," which among other things will require airlines to include all extra charges and taxes in advertised airfares, including those published on carrier websites, beginning in December 2007.
- Boeing Looks to Dreamliner Progress[Jul. 19, 2006]
Boeing is making solid progress on the 787 Dreamliner. Mike Bair, vice president and general manager of the program, today told reporters at the Farnborough Air Show.
- Press: Thai Airlines Mull Fare Hikes[Jul. 18, 2006]
Three low-cost airlines will meet next week to discuss a possible increase in fuel surcharges or ticket prices as a result of rising global oil prices, The Nation reported, quoting Thai AirAsia Chief Executive Tassapon Bijleveld.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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."
- Jetstar Lines Up Foreign Routes[Jul. 17, 2006]
Jetstar expects to unveil its new range of low-cost international fares in the next few weeks and has promised it will pull out all stops to promote them.
- Malaysia Airlines Wins Pricing Freedom[Jul. 12, 2006]
Malaysia Airlines received government authority to increase its revised domestic network by three cities--Kuching, Tawau and Sandakan--and to price tickets on the routes as it chooses.
- Qantas Cleared for Asian Take-off[Jul. 13, 2006]
Qantas's strategy to co-ordinate its flying operations with airline investments in Asia jumped another hurdle yesterday when the Australian competition regulator gave the flying kangaroo the green light to work closely with Singapore-based Orangestar.
- Press: Overseas Firms Might Take A Bid[Jul. 11, 2006]
Chicago expects foreign bidders to dominate next year's leasing of Midway International Airport, even with the U.S. political climate decrying foreign ownership of critical infrastructure, The Financial Times reported on its Web site Monday.