AviationGeeks.com - News

The third aircraft in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) expanding fleet of new-generation Airbus Military A330 MRTT multi-role tanker/transports has been formally handed over to the RAAF providing a significant boost to Defence’s in-flight refuelling, air logistics support and air combat capability.

Southwest Airlines Co. today reported October 2011 combined traffic results for Southwest Airlines and AirTran. AirTran became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co. on May 2, 2011. 

The Boeing Company has submitted a proposal to the U.S. Army for a multiyear contract for the production and delivery of 155 CH-47F helicopters.

Delta Air Lines today reported traffic results for October 2011.  System load factor was 82.8 percent, 0.6 points lower than the prior year on a 3.1 percent decrease in capacity.  System traffic decreased 3.8 percent year over year.

International Airlines Group (IAG) and Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Lufthansa) have today reached an agreement in principle for the sale of British Midland Ltd (BMI) to IAG. 

Boeing celebrated the delivery flight Thursday of the first 747-8 Freighter for Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. The delivery is the first of nine 747-8 Freighters Atlas Air has on order. Atlas Air's 49 percent subsidiary, Global Supply Systems (GSS), will operate the new freighter for British Airways World Cargo through a five-year wet-lease agreement.

Alaska Airlines will fly 75 commercial passenger flights in the United States powered by biofuel, starting this Wednesday. These flights signal aviation's next era, where sustainable biofuels can provide a viable alternative to conventional fuel and enable airlines to reduce their environmental impact.

American Airlines reported an October load factor of 83.2 percent, which compares to 83.6 percent in the same period last year. American's capacity and traffic were 0.7 percent and 1.1 percent lower year-over-year, respectively.

Boeing has delivered a 747-8 Freighter to Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways, making it the second freight operator worldwide to take delivery of Boeing's newest freighter. With this new addition to its fleet, Cathay Pacific also becomes the first carrier in Asia Pacific to operate the 747-8. 

US Airways Group, Inc. today reported its third quarter 2011 financial results. The Company reported a net profit excluding special items for the third quarter 2011 of $95 million, or $0.51 per diluted share. 

Qantas flights resumed yesterday following union strikes.

Boeing Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jim McNerney reports that the board of directors today declared a regular quarterly dividend of forty-two (42) cents per share.

All Nippon Airways, Japan's largest airline, made aviation history today by operating the first ever passenger flight of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the world's most advanced airliner.

Transaero Airlines, Russia’s second largest airline, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for four A380 aircraft. The agreement was signed by Olga Pleshakova, Transaero Airlines CEO and Christopher Buckley, Airbus’ Executive Vice President Europe, Asia and the Pacific.

Air China, Boeing and Chinese and U.S. aviation energy partners today conducted China's first sustainable biofuel flight. The two-hour mainland flight from Beijing Capital International Airport was witnessed by officials from both countries and highlights the viability of using sustainable aviation biofuel sourced in China.  

Air France regrets the disruption of flight operations caused by a flight attendants strike on the eve of major holiday departures.

Embraer and Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras signed a contract today for the purchase of 11 EMBRAER 195 jets. The transaction increases the airline’s total orders for Embraer E-Jets to 52 aircraft. The value of this latest acquisition, at list price, is USD 497.2 million. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2013.

United Continental Holdings, Inc. today reported third-quarter 2011 net income of $773 million or $2.00 per diluted share, excluding $120 million of net special items consisting primarily of integration-related costs. On a GAAP basis, UAL reported third-quarter 2011 net income of $653 million or $1.69 per diluted share.

Boeing, Embraer and the Sao Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP) today announced plans to collaborate on long-term aviation biofuels-related research and development, a move that represents another major step toward the creation of a sustainable aviation biofuels industry in Brazil. Azul, GOL, TAM and Trip airlines will be strategic advisors in the program.

General Dynamics today reported third-quarter 2011 earnings from continuing operations of $665 million, or $1.83 per share on a fully diluted basis, compared to 2010 third-quarter earnings from continuing operations of $649 million, or $1.70 per share fully diluted. Revenues in the quarter were $7.9 billion. Operating earnings were $998 million, an increase of 3.3 percent over third-quarter 2010.