Brussels Airlines has reported a €12.2 million net loss for last year, a reversal from the €23.1 million profit earned in 2007, due largely to fuel hedging losses. The carrier remained profitable on the operating level at €1.5 million as a result of what it said was “capacity optimisation and strict budgetary control.” Revenue increased seven per cent year-on-year to €984.6 million while passenger numbers fell 6.8 per cent to 5.5 million. The European … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Brussels Airlines down on fuel hedges

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has recently signed an agreement with Commonwealth of Independent States’ (CIS) Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC, also known by its Russian abbreviation which is MAK) to improve aviation safety throughout the 12 member CIS. The expanded agreement adds specific points to IATA’s existing cooperation partnership with the IAC including promoting IATA Operational Safety Audits (IOSA), IATA’s Integrated- Airline Management … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: IATA works with CIS to improve safety

Russian air cargo shrank by a third in the first quarter to 127,109 tonnes while passenger numbers shrank by over a quarter, year-on-year. Passenger numbers fell 21.4 per cent in the first quarter to 7.46 million, industry watchdog Transport Clearing House said. … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Russia Q1 air cargo down by a third

British Airways World Cargo (BAWC) has announced it is adding a second weekly freighter service to Chicago due to an increase in commercial demand. The new B747- 400F service will double BAWC’s weekly frequency to and from Chicago and will route Stansted-Frankfurt-Chicago- Atlanta. Other changes in British Airways’ schedule from 1 April include new flights from Heathrow to the southern French city of Toulouse and Atlanta in the US. … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: BAWC adds second Chicago service

Latvian airline airBaltic has appointed Airline Services GSA as its cargo GSSA for Finland saying the company’s long-standing expertise in the eastern European markets was a major factor in its choice. airBaltic currently operates five flights per day from Helsinki to its Riga hub, with frequent connections to 53 destinations spanning Europe, eastern Europe, Turkey, Israel and Egypt. The airline operates a 28-strong fleet of B737 and Fokker F50 aircraft with up to 1,000kg capacity per … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: airBaltic picks Airline Services for Finland

Turkish Airlines has reported a net profit of US$874 million in 2008, nearly a fourfold increase over the $224 million reported in 2007, on the back of rising traffic. The carrier also said it is in talks with both Airbus and Boeing regarding the purchase of 25 long-haul aircraft plus 10 options and 50 narrow body aircraft plus 20 options. Last month it placed an order for five 777-300ERs for delivery from October 2010 to February 2011. Turkish Airline’s revenue for the year climbed … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Turkish sees fourfold rise in 2008 profit