It’s Friday, so it’s time to have a quick wibble around the web to find out who’s doing what.
JAL – Seems like *everyone* is interested in them
JAL has a few suitors after it now – Delta and American as reported before and now Air France has tipped it’s hat into the ring.
BBC News, Flight, CrankyFlyer
American Airlines – One Beeillon Dollars!
With no apology to Doctor Evil, American Airlines has got a nice $1 Billion dollar miles for cash swap with CitiBank to offer as incentives for bank accounts. In a separate development, they’ve agreed a sell and lease back on some of their new orders totalling $1.6 Billon. With Extra money, thats nearly $3Bn raised
$3 Billion Dollars eh. That’s a lot of cash. Almost enough to buy a share in a partner airline….
BBC News
American Airlines goes where Delta and BA goes before – opens MAN-JFK route
Some good news for Manchester Airport and it’s TATL services (which are dropping like flies) – As Delta has pulled the MAN-JFK route, AA will be moving into the route to cover it.
With the loss of the BMI and BA routes this year, it’s a good news blip at least.
TravelMole
Jet Airways – Back to normal
In news for fliers on Jet Airways (India), the management has agreed to meet the pilots demands with the re-instatement of 4 pilots. All leagle action has been dropped.
All’s well that ends well.
Flight
American do triangles – Starts BRU > LHR > BOS service.
In a move to protect slots and increase utilisation, AA is copying United and starting a Brussels > London > Boston service.
Anything to protect a slot at LHR these days…
Flight
THY (Turkish) gets finance for an Easy A321
Turkish airlines are increasing their fleet with a purchase of a 2008 Airbus A321. Finance has been secured for it for 10 years. Hopefully they got a bargain price for it!
Flight
Singapore Airlines WhaleJet increases to 10 – now larger than 747-400 fleet
Singapore Airlines who believe that the only good body is a wide one have taken delivery of their 10th A380 series aircraft, which now puts it in the position of having more A380s that 747’s.
747 fans will cry – SQ will be removing them from fleet by the end of 2011 fiscal year.
Now SQ, play nice with the rest of Star Alliance and release some redemption seats please in Suites, First and Business Class!
Flight, Flyertalk
Virgin Nigeria looses its Virginity – becomes Nigeria Eagle Airways
As the Virgin Atlantic group gets more annoyed, Virgin Nigera gets a new tailfin and becomes Nigeria Eagle Airways. It will continue to operate ERJ-170 series and Boeing 737’s – whilst long haul services are still suspended (with possibly very little chance of coming back at the moment)
Virgin Atlantic is still seeking to shed it’s 49% of Nigeria Eagle Airways. That could be used for a good purpose – like buying a UK rival…
Virgin Blue shopping for new B737’s
Virgin blue is on the shop for replacement Boeing 737 series aircraft to replace it’s older aircraft. The requisition is for 30-50 aircraft. Whilst not that old – their aircraft range from 2001 to 2007, new aircraft always look nice and if there’s a bargin to be had.. they’ll take it.
Happy shopping blueys…
Next Gen A320… 2024 anyone?
Sadly, Next Generation aircraft will be taking their time to arrive and develop to try and bring new benefits. This is sadly the case of the replacement for the A320 class according to Airbus. They may have new engines – but no new concept for some time.
And that’s it for the news this week. More of course from the wacky world of aviation news next week!
