Next month will see the formal launch of Arabesk, a network of eight Arab and North African airlines aiming to pool their efforts to be more efficient. To this end, they will coordinate schedules to avoid costly duplication, reducing expenses by joint buying of aircraft, equipment, fuel, food and insurance, as well as managing supplies of spares and parts.
Air Transport and Cargo
News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.
December 7, 2006 - 9:52am
Emirates Airline and Lufthansa Technik subsidiary Hawker Pacific signed a contract here yesterday covering exchange, overhaul and support of the landing gear on the carrier’s 21 Boeing 777-200, -200ER and -300 aircraft. The three models have respective maximum takeoff weights of 545,000, 632,000 and 660,000 pounds.
December 7, 2006 - 9:31am
International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) has become the first named major lessor to order the Boeing 787 under an agreement covering twenty 787-8 and -9 aircraft (and options on a further four) valued at $2.7 billion at list prices. Deliveries are set to start in January 2010 and continue through the following year.
December 7, 2006 - 9:29am
German marketing specialist Inviseo has launched a new plan to raise cash for airlines. The idea involves using the bottom of the backrest tables in commercial airplanes for advertising. When in the upright position, the seatback displays guarantee intensive exposure to consumers throughout a flight. The firm has developed a table that can display printed media and meets all safety standards.
December 7, 2006 - 9:05am
Airbus’ solid sales showing at this year’s show continued yesterday with Kingfisher Airlines’ announcement that it would take another 30 Airbus A320-family jets starting in 2008. Meanwhile, almost simultaneously back in Toulouse, the company announced a deal with TAP Portugal for 10 A350s and seven A330-200s, scheduled for first deliveries in 2013 and 2007, respectively.
December 7, 2006 - 7:26am
Boeing’s ability to use the same engine for the 737-900ER as it uses on the standard -900 undoubtedly helped the company justify its investment in the project, but that doesn’t mean the newest 737 won’t benefit from new powerplant technology.
December 7, 2006 - 7:25am
Five years had passed since Boeing added a new member to the 737 family, leaving many wondering whether engineers in Seattle had finally stretched the airframe’s capabilities to its practical limits. Then came the July launch of the 737-900ER, and suddenly it seemed clear that the market hadn’t yet gotten its fill of arguably the most commercially successful civil airplane line ever conceived.
December 7, 2006 - 6:06am
Last year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a record 24.8-percent increase in traffic in the Middle East and a 50-percent growth in revenue passenger miles (rpm) since 2000.
December 7, 2006 - 6:03am
The airline industry should take a shared approach to customer IT systems to meet the twin challenges of increasing financial pressures and rising customer expectations, according to a new report sponsored by global distribution system operator Amadeus. The two main Star Alliance partner airlines have endorsed that view with their selection of a common IT platform to support their customer transactions.
December 7, 2006 - 5:45am
Most airlines are investing in information technology to streamline their businesses as part of the relentless struggle for profitability. But a surprising number appear willing to ignore initiatives such as e-ticketing and self-service kiosks, and those that do risk being left behind.
