A new engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business is being established in Shanghai under a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney (P&W) and China Eastern Airlines. The facility, designed to handle CFM International CFM56 engines, was originally slated to be operational in 2008, but the process was delayed due to issues associated with the Beijing Olympics and earthquakes in China, according to P&W. It is now expected to open in the next six months, despite the current … [Read more...] about P&W, China Eastern to open MRO facility in '09
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EUROPE & CIS: Airbus orderbook gets boost from Etihad
Airbus has reported orders for 84 aircraft in November including completion of the largest civil aircraft deal of the year, a 51-plane order from Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways worth over US$10 billion. The tally brought gross 2008 aircraft orders at the EADS subsidiary to 878, Airbus said in a statement. Three orders were cancelled in November, bringing total cancellations for the year to 122 and leaving the net total of aircraft sold at 756, down sharply from last year. Airbus has … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Airbus orderbook gets boost from Etihad
EUROPE & CIS: BA 1H down, but looks to small full-year profit
British Airways reported a consolidated net loss of £49 million in its fiscal first half ended 30 September, which indicated a steep second-quarter deficit of £76 million, a reversal from earnings of £333 million in the same period a year earlier. Half-year revenue climbed 6.4 per cent year-on-year to £4.75 billion. But operating costs surged 18.2 per cent to £4.61 billion, due primarily to the “dramatic” 52 per cent increase in fuel costs. The carrier expects its full-year … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: BA 1H down, but looks to small full-year profit
EUROPE & CIS: BA Qantas tie-up talks to continue in new year
Willie Walsh, BA chief executive and former Aer Lingus colleague, are understood to have met on “neutral” ground in Hong Kong, home of Cathay Pacific, one of their partners in the Oneworld code and passenger sharing alliance in early December, according to wire reports. Australian sources said advisers to the two sides – UBS, Macquarie Group and Greenhill – would start fresh talks after the Christmas holiday to hammer out the final details of a merger that involves the … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: BA Qantas tie-up talks to continue in new year
EUROPE & CIS: Aeroflot Cargo signs 5 year deal with CHAMP
Aeroflot Cargo Airlines has announced a five-year deal with CHAMP Cargosystems which will see the airline migrate to the new generation Cargospot system. The new technology will deliver complete end-to-end control over the sale and management of cargo by integrating the processes of all the airline’s cargorelated business activities. This comes at a time when Aeroflot Cargo is undergoing a fleet renewal programme, planning to increase its fleet to six MD-11Fs in 2009 and maximising … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Aeroflot Cargo signs 5 year deal with CHAMP
EUROPE & CIS: Lufthansa clears first hurdle in Austrian acquisition
Lufthansa’s supervisory board approved, in early December, the acquisition of Austrian Airlines Group, starting with the purchase of state holding company OIAG’s 41.56 per cent share for €366,000 (US$463,000). Lufthansa said it also will issue a debtor warrant potentially worth up to €163 million, “depending on Austrian Airlines’ economic performance and the Lufthansa share outperforming its competitors.” The German company then will make a €215 million … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Lufthansa clears first hurdle in Austrian acquisition
