Alaska Air Group reports third quarter 2019 results

Alaska Air Group reported third-quarter 2019 GAAP net income of $322 million, or $2.60 per diluted share, compared to $217 million, or $1.75 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2018. Excluding the impact of merger-related costs and mark-to-market fuel hedge adjustments, the company reported adjusted net income of $326 million, or $2.63 per diluted share, compared to $237 million, or $1.91 per diluted share in 2018.

"Our teams at Alaska, Horizon and McGee delivered industry-leading customer service and operational reliability that helped drive strong third quarter results," said Alaska Air Group CEO Brad Tilden. "Our adjusted pretax profit margin of nearly 18% was 3.6 percentage points higher than last year - fueled by our commitment to keep costs low and by the impressive 8% revenue growth that our commercial team delivered. I want to thank our employees for everything they're doing to make Alaska what we are today - and for helping us shape what we're going to be in the future. They are the best in the industry, and I believe these results demonstrate that."

Six new Airbus A321neo aircraft for China Airlines

Air Lease Corporation announced long-term lease agreements with China Airlines (Taiwan) for six new Airbus A321neo aircraft. The aircraft will deliver to the airline beginning in 2021 through 2022 from ALC’s order book with Airbus.

"We are honoured to have been chosen by China Airlines to provide their first six new A321neos in their single-aisle fleet transformation,” said John L. Plueger, Chief Executive Officer and President of Air Lease Corporation. “The A321neo will provide significantly expanded capabilities which will benefit China Airlines and its passengers far into the future."

Swoop Adds Two New Routes from London to its Winter Schedule

Canadians can now fly direct to Cancún and Orlando from London, Ontario

London, ON residents can escape the Canadian winter with the launch of Swoop's two new routes heading south of the border. Swoop, Canada's ultra-low-fare airline and subsidiary of WestJet Airlines Inc., will depart from London International Airport (YXU) to Cancún International Airport (CUN) on October 24 at 3 p.m. EDT, followed by the inaugural flight to Orlando International Airport (MCO) on October 26 at 3:50 p.m. EDT.

These inaugural flights kick off Swoop's London, ON winter schedule. Flights are available for booking now through to April 25, 2020. With twice-weekly service offered for both routes, Swoop travellers have more choices for their winter getaway.

Norwegian reports its best ever quarterly result with a profit before tax of NOK 2.2 billion

Norwegian’s third quarter results are characterised by improved profitability, higher unit revenue, lower unit cost and reduced growth, in line with the strategy. Profit before tax improved by 38 percent to NOK 2.2 billion compared to the same quarter last year.

Unit revenue and revenue per passenger kilometer (yield) both increased by 3 percent this quarter. Total revenue was NOK 14.4 billion, an increase of 8 percent from the same period last year, primarily driven by intercontinental growth. Norwegian carried approximately 10.5 million passengers; a reduction of 3 percent due to lower capacity. The load factor was 91.2 percent, up 0.7 percentage points.

American Airlines Group Reports Third-Quarter 2019 Profit

American Airlines Group Inc. has reported its third-quarter 2019 results, including these highlights:

Reported third-quarter 2019 pre-tax income of $557 million and net income of $425 million. Excluding net special items, both pre-tax income and net income rose more than 15% year over year to $835 million and $630 million,1 respectively.

Third-quarter earnings were $0.96 per diluted share. Excluding net special items, earnings per share grew 20% year over year to $1.42 per diluted share1.

Reported record third-quarter revenue of $11.9 billion. Also reported third-quarter total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) of 15.71 cents, an increase of 2% year over year. This marks the 12th consecutive quarter of TRASM growth.

Returned $244 million to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases in the third quarter.

“We are pleased to report an earnings increase of 15% and earnings per share growth of 20% for the third quarter, excluding net special items,” said Chairman and CEO Doug Parker. “However, we know that our results should have been better. Our third quarter was impacted by the continued grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX and the operational challenges resulting from ongoing labor contract negotiations. These challenges affected our customers, our shareholders and our team members, who we thank for their hard work and perseverance.”

“We are taking decisive action to correct this performance and are excited about our prospects for 2020 and beyond. As we look forward, we are committed to restoring operational excellence, growing efficiently and profitably, and generating significant free cash flow for our investors.”

Toronto and London, U.K. now connected on WestJet Dreamliner

WestJet's state-of-the-art aircraft, the 787-9 Dreamliner, is now operating between Toronto and London Gatwick. Giving guests on both sides of the Atlantic the opportunity to experience the airline's new Business and Premium service between two large financial and tourism centres.

"This is a significant first for our guests who now have access to the WestJet Dreamliner nonstop between Toronto and London, U.K.," said Brian Znotins, WestJet Vice-President Network Planning and Alliances. "The Dreamliner was built for transoceanic routes with technology that reduces jetlag and leaves travellers feeling more refreshed upon arrival. We are proud to welcome guests onboard the most comfortable aircraft we have ever operated."

CDB Aviation Delivers First of Four Embraer E190 Aircraft to Bolivian Airline Amaszonas

CDB Aviation announced today the delivery of the first of four Embraer E190 aircraft to Bolivia-based Amaszonas Línea Aérea (“Amaszonas”).

The Embraer regional jets, configured with 110 seats in a single class layout, will modernize the Amaszonas fleet, offering more than double the capacity. The E190s will serve the carrier’s growing route network, which connects its main hub at Santa Cruz de la Sierra’s Viru Viru Airport to domestic and international destinations. The airline will also operate the E190s at Montevideo’s Carrasco International Airport in the future. The three remaining jets are anticipated to join the carrier’s fleet between the end of October and early January 2020.

Icelandair extends 737 Max withdrawal from schedules until February.

Icelandair has removed the Boeing 737 MAX from its flight schedule in January and February 2020. This decision has minimum impact on flights that have already been scheduled for this period.

As announced back on 20 September, Icelandair reached an interim agreement with Boeing regarding compensation. Continued discussions with Boeing regarding compensation for the firm's financial loss resulting from the suspension are ongoing.

The airline says it will continue to monitor any developments on the extensive process led by international aviation authorities that aims at ensuring the Boeing 737 MAX’s safe return to service.

Recommended for you...

Norwegian adds new tool to reduce CO2 emissions by 140,000 tons per year

Reducing CO2 emissions is one of the most important tasks for the aviation industry. Using new technology and new, modern aircraft, Norwegian has reduced emissions by 30 percent since 2008. With the new ‘SkyBreathe’ tool, emissions can be reduced by 140,000 tons per year.

Norwegian will incorporate SkyBreathe, a fuel efficiency tool which analyses the entire flight operations, making it possible to optimise flights and further reduce fuel consumption leading to lower emissions. With the new tool, Norwegian seeks to reduce emissions by 140,000 tons per year.

The SkyBreathe app leverages Big Data algorithms developed through an EU-funded Clean Sky project, to ascertain the amount of fuel consumption on every flight, factoring in actual flight conditions and other variables (Payload, weather conditions, flight path, Air Traffic Control constraints, etc.).

JetBlue Airways reported its results for the third quarter 2019

The US Budget carrier, JetBlue has reported its latest results, which showed GAAP pre-tax income of $254 million in the third quarter of 2019, compared to a pre-tax income of $68 million in the third quarter of 2018. Excluding the one-time items, adjusted pre-tax income of $239 million(1), up 32% from an adjusted pre-tax income of $180 million(1) in the third quarter of 2018.

Vancouver - Gatwick Dreamliner service coming soon from WestJet

                         WestJet has announced daily 787 Dreamliner service between Vancouver and London, Gatwick giving the airline's guests on the West Coast and across the Atlantic the opportunity to experience WestJet's new Business, Premium and Economy cabins. Service starts April 26, 2020.

"As we receive our next 787 Dreamliner deliveries, we're thrilled to offer our business and leisure travellers this same convenient daily flight but on our newest, state-of-the-art aircraft," said Arved von zur Muehlen, WestJet Chief Commercial Officer. "By increasing capacity by over forty per cent between Vancouver and London, Gatwick guests can enjoy a superior travel experience featuring our award-winning service on either side of the Atlantic."

Kid reporter goes behind the scenes of American’s Stand Up To Cancer partnership

American's 7-year-old Kid Reporter EJ, who has a deep family connection to cancer after losing his grandfather and great grandfather to cancer in 2014, recently had a chance to meet with American team members and Stand Up To Cancer researchers and founders to explore why American partners with Stand Up To Cancer. After he saw the Names on a Plane campaign, he wanted to learn more and how the company is working with Stand Up To Cancer to help more cancer patients become long-term survivors. Learn more about what EJ discovered in the video below.

Recommended for you...

Hamad International Airport Expansion: Airport Capacity to Soar to More Than 60 Million Passengers Annually

Hamad International Airport (HIA) has revealed plans for its second expansion phase which will feature a spectacular 10,000 sqm indoor tropical garden in a central concourse as well as a 268 sqm water feature which will be the focal point of the expansion project.

The second phase of HIA's expansion consists of Phase A and B. Phase A of the current expansion will comprise of the central concourse linking concourses D and E. Construction is to commence by early 2020 and will increase the airport's capacity to more than 53 million passengers annually by 2022. Phase B, which will be completed after 2022, will extend concourses D and E to further enhance the airport's capacity to more than 60 million passengers annually. 

8 BCRF research grants supported by Delta employee and customer donations

Research is the driving force behind Delta’s efforts to raise funds and generate awareness for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Because of this research, there has been a 40 percent decline in breast cancer deaths and there are currently 3.5 million survivors in the U.S. today. But there’s still more to do, which is why Delta is proud to partner with BCRF, the highest-rated breast cancer organization in the country, to help put an end to this disease.

Since 2005, Delta employees, customers and their friends and families have raised $16.8 million for BCRF, including last year’s efforts of $2.1 million. These donations fund vital research and awareness programs aimed at putting an end to breast cancer.

Flying lessons for 200 students in 2020.....

British Airways has announced that it will fund flying lessons for 200 students across the UK during 2020 to inspire them to reach for the skies.

It follows a trial of the programme this year in partnership with The Air League Trust, when in celebration of its centenary, the airline funded lessons for students who would not normally be able to enjoy this experience at Booker Aviation Flying School in High Wycombe.

After the scheme’s success, for 2020, the airline has committed to fund 200 further flying lessons and will expand the opportunity across numerous flying schools throughout the UK, ensuring the initiative reaches an even broader range of young people.