- Qantas Chief to Remain at Controls Despite Failed Takeover[May 09, 2007]
On May 9, Qantas boss Geoff Dixon said he would remain at the helm of the Australian airline despite his support for a failed AU$11 billion takeover of the company.
- Growing AirAsia Orders 15 Airbus Jets[May 14, 2007]
Malaysian long-haul budget carrier pioneer AirAsia will acquire 15 Airbus A330-300 aircraft, a top official confirmed on May 13.
- US Airways Group Reports April Traffic[May 07, 2007]
On May 7, US Airways Group, Inc. reported April and year-to-date results for 2007. Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) for the month were 5.5 billion, down 0.1 percent from April 2006. Capacity was 6.6 billion available seat miles (ASMs), down 0.2 percent from April 2006. The passenger load factor for April was 82.2 percent versus 82.1 percent in April 2006.
- Singapore Airlines Increases Fuel Surcharge[May 03, 2007]
As a result of a sustained escalation in the price of jet fuel in recent months, Singapore Airlines has increased its fuel surcharge for tickets issued on or after May 9, 2007. The new levels will be as follows:
- Mesa Air Group Stumbles to Loss[May 11, 2007]
A second fiscal quarter rife with operational difficulties resulted in a US$24 million net loss for Mesa Air Group compared to a US$5.3 million profit in the first three months of 2006.
- JAL Targets FY07 Profit After Improved Full Year Performance[May 10, 2007]
A significantly improved operating result helped Japan Airlines Corp. narrow its net loss for the fiscal year ended March 31 to 16.2 billion yen (US$135.1 million) from 47.2 billion yen in the prior year, although the bottom line was hurt by the removal of a 54.4 billion yen deferred tax asset from the balance sheet and an extraordinary loss of 6 billion yen from a special early retirement program launched in March.
- United Airlines, Aloha Airlines Forge Partnership[May 07, 2007]
Aloha Airlines has found a powerful partner in its effort to survive the inter-island fare war launched last year by Mesa Air Group's go!, agreeing to transfer a minority equity stake to United Airlines as part of an expanded partnership announced on May 4.
- Dermot Desmond Acquires Majority Shareholding in ExecuJet[May 08, 2007]
On May 8, ExecuJet Aviation Group revealed they had reached agreement with international investor Dermot Desmond on a management lead initiative resulting in Mr. Desmond acquiring a majority shareholding in the subsidiaries and associated companies constituting the ExecuJet Aviation Group.
- easyJet Improves Margin - Seasonal First Half Loss Significantly Reduced[May 09, 2007]
Winter margin improved by 4 percentage points to -2.4% from -6.4%. Loss before tax, reflecting seasonality of business, down 58% to 17m pounds from 40m pounds. Total revenue grew by 14% to 719 million pounds. Return on equity for the rolling twelve month period increased to 11.9%, up over 6 percentage points from 5.6% in March 2006. Full year guidance maintained: pre-tax profit for the year to September 2007 expected to be 40% to 50% higher than record profits in 2006. Passenger numbers up 11% to 16.4 million. Unit passenger revenues increased by 0.8% or 0.26 pound per seat to 31.70 pounds per seat. Ancillary revenues improved by 18% or 0.58 pound per seat to 3.81 pounds per seat with partner revenues from insurance and car hire driving the growth. Unit costs excluding fuel reduced by 2.1% or 0.57 pound per seat from 27.75 pounds to 27.18 pounds. 16 new routes launched. Network now covers 292 routes and 75 airports in 20 countries. Madrid base launched with 4 new Airbus A319s in February 2007. 9 new routes launched doubling the number of routes serving Madrid to 18 including Spanish domestic routes and routes to the UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Morocco. easyJet's fleet reinforced as one of the most modern and environmentally friendly fleets in Europe. Average age of fleet only 2.3 years following delivery of 10 new Airbus A319s during the period. Commenting on the results, Andy Harrison, easyJet Chief Executive said: "The first half of our financial year has seen growth in all areas. Our winning combination of low cost with care and convenience on a network now covering 75 airports in 20 countries on nearly 300 routes continues to attract new customers. In the six months to March 2007, we flew over 16 million passengers, up 11%."
- Qantas Ownership Doubts Remain[May 13, 2007]
Qantas management is yet to determine whether the company is still majority Australian owned, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile says.