Airbus and GKN have signed a contract under which GKN will purchase the wing component and assemblies manufacturing unit based at Airbus’ site at Filton, near Bristol, UK. This includes all operational business, assets and activities being transferred to GKN. As a result of the transaction, GKN has committed itself to make further investment in the unit in order that Filton will continue to play its important role in Airbus’ current and future programmes, Airbus said. The unit is … [Read more...] about Europe/ CIS: Airbus sells its UK wing component plant
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Europe/ CIS: BAA to sell Gatwick in bid to appease watchdog
BAA put London Gatwick up for sale last month, a move it described as a “realistic response” to the UK Competition Commission’s provisional report released last month that raised concerns over the company’s ownership of seven UK airports including three serving London. Though BAA said it does not agree with the CC’s provisional fi ndings, a precursor to a fi nal decision expected early next year on whether BAA’s airport holdings should be broken up, it … [Read more...] about Europe/ CIS: BAA to sell Gatwick in bid to appease watchdog
Europe/ CIS: Alitalia rescued from death throes
The last unions holding out against a deal to salvage beleaguered Italian national carrier, Alitalia agreed late last month to a plan which will see the bankrupt airline’s assets to a group of Italian investors. The breakthrough with the AVIA and SDL unions, which represent mostly fl ight attendants, came after a meeting with the investors and government offi cials, the premier’s office said. All nine Alitalia unions are now on board. Pilots, who had been resisting the deal, … [Read more...] about Europe/ CIS: Alitalia rescued from death throes
Middle East: Etihad enjoys good passenger volumes
Etihad Airways has enjoyed its busiest summer period in its four year history with more than 1.6 million passengers flying onboard the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s flights during the months of June, July and August, the carrier said. The summer months also saw Etihad flights operate at an average of 83 per cent full, an increase of 46 per cent on the same period from the year before. Etihad has now flown more than four million passengers across its network of 48 destinations so far in … [Read more...] about Middle East: Etihad enjoys good passenger volumes
Middle East: New codeshare between Etihad and Malaysia Air
Etihad Airways has signed a new codeshare agreement with Malaysia Airlines. Under the deal, the Abu Dhabi-based airline will place its two-letter ‘EY’ code on Malaysia Airlines’ flights between the country’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur, and Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Kuching and Langkawi. In turn, Malaysia Airlines will place its ‘MH’ code on services operated by Etihad between its home base of Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, Doha and Muscat in the Gulf region. The … [Read more...] about Middle East: New codeshare between Etihad and Malaysia Air
Middle East: Qatar’s freight business sees healthy growth
Qatar’s freight transport business will grow at an average 8.1 per cent annually up to 2011, according to a recent study entitled Qatar Freight Transport Report, by global emerging markets specialist Business Monitor International (BMI). On the edge of a new gas-led export boom, and with fairly open markets, Qatar leads the Middle East and Africa freight transport business environment ranking with a score of 46, compared to a “theoretical maximum” of 70 and a regional … [Read more...] about Middle East: Qatar’s freight business sees healthy growth
