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Airline Shorts

Airline Shorts
Photo by Jeff Yapalater

The Italian government has decided to extend Alitalia bids deadline until the 4th quarter of 2018. This kicks the can of tomato paste down the road again as a new coalition government strives to somehow make a deal to salvage the lives of the workers of the company.

Air India on block

Air India is on the block. The Indian government announced that it plans to sell 76% of Air India to possible suitors IndiGo and Vistara, Spicejet and Jet Airways. But with the heavy debt burden and issues with potential foreign ownership, and forced IPO caveat some of the suitors are balking.

Potential buyers would have a controlling stake in the flagship carrier (as well as two-thirds of its $7.8 billion debt) and the complete sale of its international carrier, while 50% of the ground handling unit will be sold separately.

Etihad cuts flights

Etihad airways Peter Baumgartner, chief executive officer of Etihad Airways, said that although the company is solid, they are cutting service to Edinburgh, Scotland and Perth, Australia as part of what Baumgartner describes as a marketing necessity given the “agile environment” airlines operate in today. This follows the shedding of Alitalia investment as Etihad finds ways to profitability.

LOT hires WFS

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) is seeing strong demand for its passenger services in the U.S. Starting in April, it will serve passengers travelling on LOT Polish Airlines’ new weekly Warsaw-New York JFK-Warsaw flights as well as those flying onboard Allegiant Air’s new six flights a week from Sarasota.

JetBluers go union

JetBlue Airways flight attendants have voted for union representation by the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU).

The vote was “overwhelming” according to the union as a clear majority of those who voted out of the 5,000 eligible crew members approved representation. JetBlue cabin crew were one of the few remaining flight attendant groups not unionized.

Going to the dogs

New Arizona legislation makes it illegal to fraudulently represent any animal as a service animal to someone who operates a public space or business. Will airlines challenge those who travel with pets?

Dream on Singapore

Singapore Airlines receives the first 787-010 Dreamliner aircraft designed for more luxurious first class cabins and capacity of 337 passengers.

JFK cuts carbon

JFK Airport received Airport Carbon Accreditation from the Airports Council International for efforts to reduce carbon emissions. It was a good way to celebrate Earthday 2018.

Airbus Neo pop-up

The new Airbus A321 LR did a pop-up promo at JFK for the purpose of showing the new energy efficient, soothing interiors and new technology of its aircraft to potential buyers in NY after doing a fly-over NY and spending the night at JFK Airport.

Virgin goes Alaska

Virgin America branding disappears in a quick changeover to Alaska Air. As of last week all references to Virgin were gone. So is Richard Branson’s stake in the one beloved airline bringing innovation in style and comfort to the airline industry before being absorbed by Alaska Airlines.

Hello Eurowings

Eurowings is the lower cost airline jumping into the Trans-Atlantic route and part of the Lufthansa family. Starting April 28, 2018, it will commence 6 weekly JFK-Dusseldorf flights offering a total of 3 non-stop destinations in Germany with daily JFK-Frankfurt and daily JFK-Munich, JFK T7.

WOW, JFK now

WOW Airlines is another low-cost airline that has made its debut at JFK Airport that is also competing for the low cost Trans-Atlantic route competing for the economy traveler.

New low $ LATAM

The low cost airline craze continues as it was reported that LATAM has filed an intent create a new low fare carrier with the Chilean civil air authority government.

Desirable Norwegian

IAG International Airlines Group bought a 4.61% stake in Norwegian Airline spreading rumors that the group intends to vie for a complete purchase of the airline. Norwegian denied the rumor saying it had “no intention” of selling.

BA buys Airbus321s

Airbus Neo 321 series aircraft which incorporates new innovations in comfort, design, functionality and fuel efficiency manufactured for shorter range flights has secured an order for 10 of the jets to British Air for the European market. IAG is the parent company of BA which is rumored to be seeking an acquisition of Norwegian Airlines.

Venezuela Copa ban

Copa Airlines has been suspended from flying into Venezuela, as Venezuela continues to distance itself from the international community limiting and cutting economic and commercial ties. The suspension began April 6 and will last until July 6th.

PeopleFly flies

Italy’s People Fly is a unique company operating in charter flights as a broker. Peoplefly is not an air carrier and advertised flights are actually operated by airlines with an operating license holders.

AA goes american

American Airlines decided to order forty-seven B787 family aircraft from American manufacturer Boeing which includes twenty-two B787-8s, They are due to begin arriving in 2020, and twenty-five B787-9s, arriving in 2023, dampening the hopes of Airbus to fill part of that order with A350s.

New Islamabad hhub

The new Islamabad Quaid-e-Azam International airport in the Pakistani capital is set to open on April 20 with PIA – Pakistan International Airlines operating the maiden service out of the new facility on the day of the opening, The Express Tribune has reported.

One-line sub

Viva Air, – a unit of Irelandia Aviation, which is led by Ryanair founder Declan Ryan, is the first low-cost airline to enter Peru’s domestic market challenging Santiago’s based LATAM Airlines, which has been the ;market leader.