- Royal Jordanian's 2006 Profit Falls Owing to Regional Tension, Rising Fuel Cost[May 15, 2007]
On May 14, Royal Jordanian said that it posted a 2006 net profit before deducting "taxes and staff incentives" of JOD7.4 million (US$10.4 million), its third consecutive profitable year but down 64.8% from the record JOD21 million earned in 2005 before distributing a profit share to staff.
- Virgin Blue Polishes Image with Polymer Coat[May 11, 2007]
Virgin Blue will cover its planes with an environmentally friendly liquid polymer designed to protect the exterior surface of the aircraft, cutting out the need to repaint or wash the aircraft.
- JAL Revises International Fare Fuel Surcharge[May 15, 2007]
On May 15, 2007, the JAL Group requested approval from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT), to revise the fuel surcharge placed on nearly all international passenger tickets issued on or after July 1, 2007.
- Iberia Group Posts EUR12.2 Million First Quarter Profit[May 14, 2007]
Iberia Group posted a first-quarter net profit of EUR12.2 million (US$16.5 million), reversed from a EUR57.2 million loss in the year-ago period, owing to continued network restructuring and cost-cutting initiatives.
- China Airlines Reduces Reliance on Fuel Hedging[May 12, 2007]
China Airlines, the largest carrier in Taiwan, has reduced fuel hedging by about 67 percent because "volatile" prices have made the cost of the contracts riskier than buying jet kerosene on the spot market.
- 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:
- Southwest Airlines Commits to Fleetwide RNP Capability[May 09, 2007]
Calling it a "tipping point for performance-based navigation," US FAA Administrator Marion Blakey said at a briefing at Washington National Airport on May 8 that Southwest Airlines informed the agency that it will equip its entire fleet for RNP, including retrofitting its 737 Classics.
- 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%."
- Cathay Pacific Expects Passenger Lift as Cargo Stays Weak[May 10, 2007]
Cathay Pacific Airways expects continued stellar growth in passenger traffic in the coming months, but warned freight volumes will remain weak in the short term due to high oil prices.
- Shanghai Airlines' 2006 Annual Profit Plunges, Sees Red in First Quarter[May 03, 2007]
Shanghai Airlines' 2006 annual profit plummeted 82.2% to RMB8.2 million (US$1.1 million) from earnings of RMB46 million in 2005 as revenues rose 24.5% to RMB9.93 billion and costs climbed 27% to RMB8.49 billion.