Continental: Joins Star Alliance 27th October (Official)
Continental have confirmed they are to leave SkyTeam on the 24th October and formally join Star Alliance on the 27th October.
Expect trouble if things go wrong – and knowing how other airlines have handled integrations before – trouble isn’t fare off.
(Continental)
Ryanair Opens a new base a Jimmy Savile International – I mean Leeds Bradford Airport
The odious little man is doing some good this week, and has announced the opening of a new base at LBA, where 2 aircraft will be based. Estimated 1000 jobs to come in. Whilst this is good for the area (as BMI pulled out earlier this year), this could spell trouble for Jet2 and FlyBe. New routes are: Carcassonne, Malta, Faro, Montpellier, Ibiza, Murcia, Knock, Nantes, Krakow,Palma, Limoges, Pisa, Malaga,Venice Treviso.
Yes, there’s a fare sale, but in Ryanair land – every day is a fare sale!
(BBC News/Ryanair)
SAS… cutting to the core
SAS is going from bad to worse alas, with another net loss of kr1.05bn, and is cutting another 1000 jobs in the process under it’s coreSAS programme. In addition, they’ll be asking for paycuts from crew as well.
At the rate SAS are going, there not be much left to cut soon
(BBC News/Flight)
Gol hits the Goal and in the profit
Brazilian Carrier Gol is doing the impossible and actual has posted a rather tidy R$354 profit in Q2, whilst managing and reducing costs… and selling R$104 million worth of miles to institutions to sell on.
Hey.. that’s the United business model isn’t it? 😉
(Flight)
Asiana – Profit…
Again devil is in the detail, with Asiana selling off their IT unit – with weak numbers all around
(Flight)
Virgin Blue cancels all United Codeshares
Wholey expected as Virgin Blue and V Australia is snuggling up to Delta, and telling UA to find a partner to dance with in Australia to feed into their SYD services. Whilst Virgin Blue is happy to tart with other carriers, it wants no part of a global alliance. UA fliers heading to Australia had better open up a QF OneWorld Account to start throwing those spare miles into….
(Flight)
SouthWest is desperate for some Frontier LUV from the Courts… AND DOESN’T GET IT
SouthWest Airlines is seemingly desperate for Frontier and has upped it’s bid to US$170m for the airline. Cranky has an excellent analysis of what it means, but it does mean an inital fleet reduction to 40 Airbus A320 Series and the possible creation of “SouthWest Express” – as well as the elimination of a competitor.
And in late breaking news, it’s been confirmed that Republic Airlines have won the auction for $150m, citing management of seniority lists.
That’ll set the cat amongst the pigeons… (Flight, Cranky Flier)
Branson Bleets about the AA/BA/IB tieup
See below 😉 – Also his minons were out and about on Radio 5 Live. Change the tune please?
(BBC Radio 5, The Telegraph)
Air Asia X debating IFE+C
Air Asia X are to explore options in terms of connectivity for its inbound fleet of A350’s… but the big question is how – it’s a big out of pocked expense initially… so how is it going to be funded? Fun times.
It’s also worth nothing that Air Asia (and its other LCC’s Thai AirAsia and Indonesia Air Asia) have signed with OnAir to provide in flight Telephony hardware (who also provide RyanAir). I’d personally expect a similar deal along the line
(Flight)
Delta goes for Handheld IFE on it’s 747 fleet whilst sticking the words “FOR SALE” on them
Meanwhile Delta 747 fans can start panicking… now. Rather than going for a complete internal refurbishment, Delta is going for Handheld IFE units for all classes. Whilst a great idea for a quick and easy deployment, this translates that Delta are no longer prepared to invest in a major upgrade for the 747 fleet (apart from painting the planes, changing seat covers, added DL product to them. However, its seen as a fill in solution until some more twinjet aircraft are located (777-200LR probably )
Now whilst you’re at it Delta – any chance you can get some spares for your 767 fleet?
(Flight)
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More of course next week!
