2008 Review

REVIEW www.airtransportnews.aero

JANUARY

European Parliament vote on airport charges (15 January)

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he European Parliament concluded its first reading on a proposed Directive on airport charges, initially adopted by the European Commission a year ago. ACI EUROPE is appreciative of the European Parliament’s work to improve the proposal of the European Commission, but considers that serious concerns regarding fundamental issues remain. These include risking costly and damaging over-regulation as well as compromising the ability of European airports to finance much needed infrastructure and capacity development. Whilst the European Commission proposed to apply the Directive to all airports with more than 1 million passengers per year, the European Parliament increased this figure to 5 million, leaving States still free to apply the Directive to airports below this threshold. As most European airports now operate in a highly competitive environment with airport size not necessarily indicative of market power, such criteria will result in over-regulating airports and adding unnecessary costs. Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE said: "The EU institutions seem to have a difficulty in understanding the dynamics of the European airport market. At many airports the airlines are the dominant party, able to strongly negotiate, if not dictate, the terms under which they are prepared to operate at the airport. Applying the Directive to more than 80 airports across Europe due merely to the fact that they meet a fixed passenger traffic threshold is entirely irrelevant. It will impose a costly and unjustified regulatory burden, particularly for fast developing regional airports and emerging hubs. This is not good regulation." Additionally, the Directive remains at odds with the intention of the European Union to address the looming airport capacity crunch. Last year, in its Communication on airport capacity, efficiency and safety, the European Commission confirmed that by 2025, more than 60 European airports will be congested and the top twenty airports will be entirely saturated, resulting in significant economic and environmental consequences. However, no recognition is given by the Directive of the need for airports to be in a condition to invest in new infrastructure. Moreover, ill-defined powers for the independent national regulator set up by

02/01/2008 David McMillan new Director General of EUROCONTROL

the Directive will only incentivise conflicts between airlines and airports, resulting in uncertainty over infrastructure investments and potentially delaying much needed capacity development. Olivier Jankovec added: "That the Directive is silent on the need for airports to be incentivised to invest in time for the new facilities to match demand, is puzzling. It shows that the Directive not only remains imbalanced in favour of airlines but also fails to reflect that the interests of the airlines and that of the travelling public are not the same." Responding to the vote of the European Parliament on Airport Charges, IACA is extremely disappointed that an opportunity to address the unbalanced relationship between the fully deregulated airline sector and their monopolistic service provider (airports) has been missed. Sylviane Lust, Director General of the International Air Carrier Association (IACA) commented: “The vote today only serves to reinforce the monopolistic behaviour of airports going forward and gives a free reign to airports to set charges and pre-finance investments. It is economic nonsense to allow airports to pre-finance infrastructure projects through airport charges. This allows airports to start building and shift the risk of investment entirely onto airlines.” John Hanlon, Secretary General of ELFAA said: “There is no justification for allowing airports to pre-finance future facilities from charges on existing users. Pre-financing is in breach of the user-pays principle as it forces airlines that may never use the facility to pay for it. It is regrettable that the Parliament allowed airports to transfer the entire risk of their expansion on to airlines. It is also very disappointing that airports are to be allowed to choose a dual-till business model, allowing them to monopolise commercial revenues (from shops, restaurants, etc.), instead of sharing them, in the form of reduced airport charges, with consumers, who generate these revenues. Overall, this directive, if finally adopted in the form voted through in the Parliament, will mark a missed opportunity to introduce targeted, robust and effective regulation of those relatively few dominant airports in Europe that actually need to be regulated.”

SITA announces creation of SITA Lab - a world class R&D facility for aviation technology research

EUROCONTROL

03/01/2008 Boeing Finalizes 787 order with Vietnam Airlines and Vietnam Aircraft Leasing and announces GOL Airlines order for 40 Next-Generation 737s

18/01/2008 SAA welcomes Swissport as its new airport ground handling service provider in South Africa

21/01/2008 04/01/2008 Ryanair signs Agreement with GuestLogix for On-Board Sales Technology

06/01/2008 Emirates has notified the Government of Sri Lanka that it will not be renewing the Shareholder's Agreement of Sri Lankan Airlines

07/01/2008 Rockwell Collins flight computers, pilot controls selected for Mitsubishi

08/01/2008 Saudi Arabian Airlines selects Sabre Airline Solutions for upgrading its passenger experience

09/01/2008 Embraer sets a record with the delivery of 169 Jets in 2007 AWAS orders 75 Airbus A320 Family Aircraft Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 3 opens for operations

14/01/2008 Airbus announces plans for A330 Freighter Final Assembly Line in Mobile, Alabama EUROCONTROL: Flights in Europe surge to all-time high in 2007 and forecast to grow steadily in 2008

16/01/2008

Boeing close deals for 787,with Gulf Air and Air Europa of Spain

Brazilian carrier TAM signed a firm contract for 22 A350 XWBs, four additional A330-200s And 20 additional A320 Family Aircraft

22/01/2008 Lufthansa and JetBlue Complete Stock Purchase Transaction

23/01/2008 ATR registers record year of orders with 113 new Aircraft Christchurch International Airport is first airport company in Southern Hemisphere to achieve carbon neutral certification

29/01/2008 Singapore and Scandinavian countries conclude 3 Open Skies Agreements

30/01/2008 Messier-Bugatti records more than 500 wheel and carbon brake orders for mainline jets for the fourth year in a row ASIG wins contract to provide ground handling services for JFK International Airport Terminal One ACI: Worldwide passenger traffic grows 5.6% in 2007

31/01/2008

Boeing announces new delay on the delivery of the 787

Ryanair Responds to Legal Action from President Sarkozy & Ms Carla Bruni

AMR Corporation reports 2007 Net Profit Of $504 Million

easyJet completes acquisition of GB Airways

European Parliament supports proposal to reduce paper work for 300.000 freight carriers, saving € 160 million

17/01/2008 British Airways has confirmed that a Boeing 777, registration GYMMM operating flight BA038 from Beijing to Heathrow was involved in an incident at Heathrow airport

U.S. Department of Justice closes investigation of pending acquisition of Midwest Air Group

FEBRUARY

U.S. Transportation Secretary Peters announces new Open-Skies Aviation Agreement with Australia (15 February)

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.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced that the United States and Australia concluded a landmark Open-Skies aviation agreement that will eliminate restrictions on U.S.-Australia air services for the carriers of both countries. The agreement comes after three days of negotiations in Washington. “This agreement will strengthen the already close ties between the United States and Australia,” said Secretary Peters. “Today’s agreement begins a new era where American and Australian consumers, airlines and economies can enjoy the benefits of lower fares and more convenient service.” Under the new agreement, airlines from both countries will be allowed to select routes and destinations based on consumer demand, without limitations on the number of U.S. or Australian carriers that can fly between the two countries or the number of flights they can operate. The agreement also removes restrictions on capacity and pricing, and provides opportunities for cooperative marketing arrangements, including code-sharing, between U.S. and Australian carriers. The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said the airline had supported the Australian Government's efforts to seek fully liberalised air services arrangements between the two countries at negotiations in Washington this week. This had been largely achieved. "We welcome the outcome. It brings new opportunities for growth and competition. Importantly, it will assist

01/02/2008 Airbus completes first test flight with alternative fuel on civil aircraft

the further development of Australia's aviation industry, as well as help increase trade and tourism with a major economic partner," Mr Dixon said. "Further liberalisation of air services arrangements with a number of countries is needed if Australian carriers are to grow operations and match opportunities available to foreign competitors." "We hope to see our commercial plans and priorities reflected in the Government's agenda for future air services negotiations," he said. “The Australia-US Open Skies agreement is a great achievement and a significant change after almost twenty years of restrictive bi-laterals,” Virgin Blue Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said. “The agreement and the approvals granted underline the commitment of both Governments to extensively liberalise Australia-US air services, a decision we strongly endorse and one which will bring significant benefits to both countries.” “We are also particularly proud of the contributing role we have played as a catalyst for the establishment of this agreement. It will enable us to bring long awaited, genuine competition to the trans-Pacific market,” Mr Godfrey said.

15/02/2008 The European Court of Justice gives judgment against Greece for not recovering state aid granted to national airlines

EUROCONTROL accepts the SESAR ATM Deployment Sequence NATS takes major step to build air traffic control system of the future

04/02/2008 Hawaiian Airlines signs firm order for 12 Airbus widebodies contract includes six A350 XWBs

05/02/2008 Clean Sky Research program takes off at launch forum

18/02/2008 IATA joins forces with Solar Impulse

20/02/2008 Engine Alliance Introduces Innovative, Realistic Customer Training

US DOT: Flight delays, mishandled bags, consumer complaints increase in 2007

06/02/2008 Jet Airways and American Airlines launch codeshare

07/02/2008 SITA and Airports Authority of India embark on major IT transformation for 13 non-metro airports Airbus foresees demand for some 24,300 aircraft in the next 20 years

08/02/2008 Raytheon teams with SAIC to pursue FAA's Air Traffic Control Optimum Training Solution Program

10/02/2008 Jordanian Prime Minister expresses support for RJ's liberalization and open sky policies

12/02/2008 Ryanair announced its 26th European and fifth Spanish base in Reus Barcelona

13/02/2008 Boeing delivers KLM's First 777300ER Boeing

flypacificblue.com

Virgin Blue Airlines launch Premium Economy Airsavings joins forces with AXA Assistance to offer LCCs wider range of Ancillary Revenue Products with High Margins, and Short Lead Time

21/02/2008 PowerJet announces the first run of the SaM146 engine installed on the wing of the Superjet 100

22/02/2008 Bombardier grants authority to offer CSeries – The New Generation Five-Abreast Commercial Aircraft

25/02/2008 Korean Air and Uzbekistan Airways sign Letter of Intent

27/02/2008 VRG Announces Interline Agreement with Iberia, KLM and Japan Airlines

28/02/2008 Boeing 787 Dreamliner successfully completes fuselage barrel test

29/02/2008 Finnair and Cathay Pacific start cooperation on routes between Finland and Australia

14/02/2008 SAFRAN to supply all landing and braking control systems for the A350XWB TAM and Lufthansa combine their frequent flyer programs

Delta Air Lines First US carrier to take delivery of Boeing 777-200LR An exceptional year for Bombardier Aerospace in terms of deliveries and orders: 361 Aircraft delivered and 698 orders placed in Fiscal Year 2007/08

M A R C H

United Airlines and American Airlines flies the Open Skies to London

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merican Airlines will move three of its London flights from Gatwick Airport to Heathrow Airport in the coming weeks as part of the “Open Skies” agreement between the United States (U.S.) and the European Union (EU) which takes effect March 30. American previously announced that it will move one of its two daily round trips between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and London Gatwick, as well as its daily round trip between Raleigh/Durham (RDU) and Gatwick, to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on March 30. In addition, American will be moving its second daily round trip between DFW and Gatwick to Heathrow on April 13. American recently obtained additional take-off and landing slots at Heathrow to make that move possible. This will result in the closure of American’s Gatwick operations after 26 years of service. All of American’s employees at Gatwick have been offered jobs at the airline’s other London locations. “We want to strengthen our competitive position within the new ‘Open Skies’ regime, so it makes sense to focus our efforts in London at Heathrow,” said Henry Joyner, American’s Senior Vice President – Planning. “These changes do not impact the total number of American flights to and from London. We’ll operate up to

Honeywell selected to provide flight management and AESS systems for Airbus A350XWB

04/03/2008

Boeing Delivers 700th 777

19/03/2008

05/03/2008

British Airways takes lead in the online revolution with new pricing software from SITA

06/03/2008

Boeing Completes 50-Percent Design Release for the 747-8 Freighter

BA increases shareholding in Iberia Pratt & Whitney installs Geared Turbofan™ Engine Flight Nacelle System, prepares for Phase II testing

20/03/2008

Qantas Premium Economy ready to fly

07/03/2008

Angela Gittens named new ACI Director General

18 daily departures to Heathrow this summer from seven U.S. airports.” Open Skies is bringing United’s Denver customers about two and a half hours closer to London. Customers will save at least that much time by taking United’s new, non-stop service between Denver and London, and the airline is now offering special, low fares and up to 7,500 bonus Mileage Plus miles to celebrate. United’s new Denver-London service is now possible with the new Open Skies agreement between the U.S. and Europe that removes the regulatory barriers to fly to London Heathrow. The agreement between the U.S. and European Union was signed on March 22, 2007 and takes effect March 30, 2008. “We have long-supported freedom of the skies because of the tremendous benefits it brings to customers on both sides of the Atlantic, and to United,” says Michael Whitaker, United’s senior vice president – Alliances, International and Regulatory Affairs. “Customers will have more time to enjoy England’s Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, saving over two and a half hours of travel time with our non-stop service.”

ACI

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today initiated an action to collect a $10.2 million civil penalty from Southwest Airlines for operating 46 airplanes without performing mandatory inspections for fuselage fatigue cracking. Subsequently, the airline found that six of the 46 airplanes had fatigue cracks.

10/03/2008

SAS has agreed a settlement with Bombardier and Goodrich regarding the incidents involving the Dash aircraft in the autumn of 2007 and order new aircraft for fleet replacement BAA announces sale of World Duty Free Europe

11/03/2008

Antitrust: Commission carries out inspections in the international airline passenger sector UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is today publishing its decisions for price controls for Heathrow and Gatwick airports for the five years from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2013 Cooperation with Guangzhou: Schiphol Group sets foot on Chinese soil EUROCONTROL and Flight Safety Foundation partner to improve aviation safety in Europe

12/03/2008

Jet Aviation Handling AG rebranded as DNATA Switzerland AG

13/03/2008

GE's GEnx-2B Engine for the New Boeing 747-8 Airplane achieves 70,000 Lbs. takeoff thrust in first test Bombardier sells six CRJ900 NextGen airliners to Iraq U.S. Transportation Secretary Peters announces new Open-Skies Aviation Agreement with Croatia

14/03/2008

Emirates, is the first airline in the world to commercially launch an inflight mobile telephone service. The first authorised mobile phone call made from a commercial flight was made today at 30,000ft enroute to Casablanca

21/03/2008

Ethiopian and Lufthansa set to launch codeshare flights Five oneworld airlines to co-locate into Shanghai's new Terminal 2 China Southern inks new codeshare pact with Malyasia Airlines ALPA defeats Pinnacle management in arbitration

26/03/2008

Ryanair confirmed that it was freezing the pay of its senior management for 2008 as part of a series of cost cutting measures over the coming weeks as the price of oil rises to over $100 a barrel

27/03/2008

World Airways celebrates 60th anniversary Embraer signs new Brazilian airline to US$ 1.4 Billion contract Mercator announces 150th customer with OzJet AirAsia X Firms Up Options for 10 Additional A330 Continental Airlines to inaugurate flights from New York and Houston to London Heathrow

28/03/2008

Embraer announces that the Board of Directors approved on a meeting held in March 28, 2007, the launch of two new models of business jets currently named as MSJ and MLJ. MHI officially launches Mitsubishi Regional Jet program Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan™ Engine to power All Nippon Airways’ Mitsubishi Regional Jets

Avianca signs 15-Year, $750 Million OnPoint Solution agreement

Heathrow Terminal 5 opens with huge delays, cancellations and lost luggage’s

16/03/2008

New pier concept decided for Oslo Airport

Alitalia Board of Directors resolved unanimously in favour of accepting Air FranceKLM’s Binding Offer

17/03/2008

A380 era begins for BA

30/03/2008

Olympic Flame departed from Athens International Airport

31/03/2008

Swissport to provide ground services for Condor

Aloha Airlines shut down passenger services

18/03/2008

50 years of Austrian Airlines

KLM Engineering & Maintenance leads the way with environmentally friendly painting system

Delta Air Lines, Air France launch joint venture with three new flights connecting LonU.S. Department of Transportation and European Commission launch Joint Research don Heathrow to Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York-JFK Project on airline alliances and competition as part of Open Skies Agreement SITA completes IT installation at Beijing’s new mega terminal in time for Olympic Singapore Airlines makes history again with first A380 flight to London games traffic surge

APRIL

World aviation industry joins forces to act on climate change (22 April)

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t the global Aviation and Environment Summit commercial aviation industry leaders today signed a declaration on climate change to lead towards carbon neutral growth and a totally sustainable industry.In a significant move, the declaration has brought together all sectors of commercial aviation – aircraft manufacturers, airlines, airports, air traffic control and engine manufacturers. This is the first time the industry has united in this way, highlighting the importance it is placing on environmental issues. The declaration outlines aviation’s concept of ‘carbon neutral growth’ with an aspirational goal of carbon-free flight. The industry will achieve this through focusing on a four-pillar approach to climate change: investment in new technology, increasing operational efficiency, air traffic and airport infrastructure improvements and appropriate economic measures. The Declaration states: “We agree on the need to accelerate action to mitigate our environmental impact, especially in respect to climate change while preserving our driving role in the sustainable development of our global society. “Our efforts and commitment to work in partnership with governments, other industries and representatives of civil society will provide meaningful benefits on tackling climate change and other environmental challenges”. The industry also called on governments to play their part by pushing forward a global, workable emissions trading scheme; helping with research and development; and being more proactive in reducing infrastructure blockages that result in unnecessary carbon emissions, such as implementing the Single European Sky. According to Summit organiser, Dr Philippe Rochat, “The declaration is not just fine words. For the first time the industry can agree on a set of common goals and a pathway to achieve those goals – through the industry’s four pillar strategy. And we have a strong track record of driving through major industry initiatives. Look at what we have done with e-ticketing and safety. This declaration sends a signal that we are devoting the same energy, investment and sheer determination to ensure the industry has a sustainable future.” “This declaration is a great step,” said Bisignani. “IATA’s four-pillar strategy on climate change is now an industry commitment. This commitment will drive us forward—first to our 25% fuel efficiency improvement target, and more importantly towards our vision of carbon neutral growth leading to a carbon emission free industry.”

“Environmental responsibility is a core promise of the aviation industry, alongside safety and security. We have taken this responsibility seriously long before Kyoto with impressive results - a 70% improvement in fuel efficiency over the last four decades. All the industry partners have a common goal - to keep aviation as a benchmark of environmental responsibility for others to follow,” said Bisignani. “Today’s commitment is unique. What other industry is so united in its approach to environment?” “But governments must play their part if we are truly to succeed. They must invest more effectively in environmental technologies – from alternative fuels to radical dynamics. And they need to match our efforts at efficiency – such as implementing next generation traffic management systems globally. A Single European Sky could save 12 million tonnes of CO2 at a stroke,” said Bisignani. Director General of ACI, Robert J Aaronson reports, “Over 300 airports have signed up to the goals of this landmark industry document, and airport authorities worldwide are already engaged in a broad spectrum of active programmes that address carbon emissions, noise and local air quality.” “Airports are integral components of the local and regional community infrastructure; gateways for tourism; enablers of new business development. They are also key community employers and financial contributors. They feel the weight and pressure of corporate responsibility and want to fulfil their public service capacity in a sustainable manner. ACI members have shown that they know that the best choice is to take action sooner rather than later.”He added, “Airports have shown that bold leadership can speed progress in the environmental arena. The noise quota at London Heathrow has a greater impact on engine design than ICAO’s newly enforced Chapter 4 standard. Fifteen years before ICAO’s new guidance document on emissions-based landing charges was approved, Zurich starting using such a charge. Stockholm’s Arlanda airport introduced a simple alternative queue for green taxis and within three years the proportion of green taxis in the city jumped from 5 to 35 percent.” Aaronson concluded, “Our goal to accommodate growth in an environmentally sustainable framework is achievable. This Summit is proof that all of us have set ourselves to the task of making that happen.”

Solar Impulse becomes a symbol of the European Com- US Airways pilots leave ALPA fold 01/04/2008 mission Turkish Airlines joins Star Alliance GEnx-1B Engine Receives FAA Certification 22/04/2008 10/04/2008 Airbus initiates a potential new industry standard for Airbus and Pratt & Whitney to test Geared Turbofan PAL acquiring 9 turbo-props for inter-island operations concept galleys IATA welcomes shorter route over China Low Dollar and high metal prices lead Airbus to inDelta applauds U.S. Department of Transportation's de- crease aircraft list prices 02/04/2008 cision to expand antitrust immunity for six SkyTeam bmi and Ryanair has welcomed today’s Competition New image and branding for Sterling Commission’s ‘emerging thinking’ report into BAA’s moMalaysia Airlines to buy up to 55 Boeing 737-800 at members nopolistic ownership of airports in the South East of EngUSD4.2 billion, takes delivery of A380 in 2011 11/04/2008 land and Scotland. IATA Signs Agreement with ASECNA for Africa 03/04/2008

23/04/2008

ATA Airlines discontinues all operations Alitalia Chairman and Director resigns as negotiations to reach an agreement with Air France-KLM collapsed Amadeus unveils Airline Retailing Platform - a new way forward in GDS distribution

Republic Airways announces termination of Frontier agreement

24/04/2008 ADR presents Rome Fiumicino “Leonardo Da Vinvi” Airport new Terminal 5

05/04/2008 Skybus Airlines will discontinue operations effective Saturday, April 5, and will file for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 on Monday, April 7 Airbus has started the assembly of the first A320 in Hamburg

25/04/2008 Bombardier surpasses milestone 1,500th CRJ Regional Jet delivery

07/04/2008

Boeing

26/04/2008

Holy Flame comes to Athens from the Church of the Happy 40th Birthday Monarch! First 767-300 Boeing converted freighter takes flight Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem AEA welcomes EU Council support for Single European Sky Aer Lingus orders Airbus A350-900s and more A330300s

28/04/2008

09/04/2008

EOS Airlines files for Chapter 11 14/04/2008 Boeing revises 787 first flight and delivery plans; Adds Lufthansa introduces schedule margin to reduce risk of further delays Arik Air gets DOT’s nod to fly direct to US boarding via mobile Cessation of services by Oasis phone Mexicana to join oneworld alliance 15/04/2008 American Airlines cancels flights to inspect MD-80 Fleet Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corporation 29/04/2008 again to ensure technical compliance with FAA Directive today announced an agreement in which the two carriers Embraer 190 Jet Receives 120-Minute ETOPS Apwill combine in an all-stock transaction with a combined enterprise value of $17.7 billion, creating America’s proval Tunisair chooses Airbus to modernize and expand its premier global airline fleet with A350s, A330s and A320s

18/04/2008 SITA today launched a major report which shows how baggage handling can be improved at the world’s busiest airports through the better use of technology American Airlines

30/04/2008 First Boeing 777 Freighter leaves factory

MAY

Industry Bids Farewell to Paper Ticket (31 May)

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he International Air Transport Association (IATA) today launched a new era in air travel as it bid farewell to the paper ticket on the eve of the industry’s conversion to 100% electronic ticketing. “Today we say goodbye to an industry icon,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO. “The paper ticket has served us well, but its time is over. After four years of hard work by airlines around the world, tomorrow marks the beginning of a new, more convenient and more efficient era for air travel.” The history of tickets… Paper tickets date back to the 1920s. Each airline used a different form with varying rules. Airlines soon recognised the need for standardisation of traffic documents, regulations and procedures to support the growth of an industry that spanned the world. In 1930, the IATA Traffic Committee developed the first standard hand-written ticket for multiple trips. These same standards served the industry into the early 1970s. The first ticketing revolution occurred in 1972 with automation. The IATA Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) for travel agents began in Tokyo that year. This led to the birth of the IATA neutral paper ticket. For the first time the IATA logo appeared on the cover of tickets that could be used by any travel agent to ticket journeys on almost any airline in the world. The next revolution took place in 1983 when the system was further automated with a magnetic stripe on the ticket back. This allowed all of the ticket information to be stored electronically on the ticket itself and it could be used as the boarding pass as well. At its peak, 285 million of IATA neutral paper tickets (both versions) were printed in 2005. The first e-ticket was issued in 1994. By 1997 IATA had adopted global standards for e-ticketing. But the evolution was slow and by May 2004, only 19% of global tickets were electronic. Simplifying the Business At the 2004 Annual General Meeting in Singapore, the successive crises of war, terrorism and SARS were still being felt, the price of oil was approaching US$40 per barrel and the imperative for cost efficiencies was critical. IATA presented a plan for Simplifying the Business, the highlight of which was to achieve 100% e-tick-

01/05/2008 LFAs clickair and Germanwings team to increase destinations

02/05/2008 AAPA supports collaborative action on aviation and the environment Thai and Royal Brunei Airlines sign codeshare agreement

03/05/2008 Boeing Completes 737 Carbon Brakes certification testing Boeing Delivers 50th 777 to Air France

eting. Over four years, IATA deployed a global team of 150 people to work with airlines and system providers around the world to facilitate implementation. “In four years we achieved what many thought was impossible. We made 100% ET a reality everywhere – from our largest hubs to small remote island airports with no electricity. It is an incredible industry achievement,” said Bisignani. “The benefits to the business are real,” said Bisignani. A paper ticket costs an average of US$10 to process versus US$1 for an electronic ticket. With over 400 million tickets issued through IATA’s settlement systems annually, the industry will save over US$3 billion each year. Consumer benefits… Consumers can look forward to easier travel in an electronic world. 100% ET eliminates lost tickets. ETs can easily be changed and reissued without necessitating a trip to a travel agency or airline ticket office. And they enable a wide array of self-service options such as online and mobile check in. ”With ET a reality we can now enter the next phase of Simplifying the Business,” said Bisignani. “We are moving ahead with a further revolution - Fast Travel that will provide convenient self-service options from checkin to baggage tracing and re-booking.” Cleaning-up paper… While IATA will no longer issue paper ticket stock, IATA neutral paper tickets issued by travel agents before June 1 remain valid for travel under the conditions they were purchased. Paper tickets may still be provided by an airline from its own offices or from a travel agent in the USA, although it is anticipated the volumes will be very low. To complete the conversion IATA has contacted 60,000 travel agents in more than 200 countries to collect the remaining unused paper tickets in the system – some 32 million worldwide. These will be securely reclaimed, destroyed and recycled. “An era has ended. If you have a paper ticket, it’s time to donate it to a museum,” said Bisignani.

08/05/2008 Sabre Study Shows ``Hybrid'' Airlines Edging out Traditional LCCs Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Company facilitates the procedures leading to Alenia Aeronautica becoming a shareholder

09/05/2008 Euromanx ceases operations Swissport and SITA trial new mobile phone check-in

13/05/2008 Flybaboo changes its name and turns a new page in its history

14/05/2008 FAA certifies all Pratt & Whitney CFM56-3 Engine life limited parts

15/05/2008 Nationwide Airlines under provisional liquidation

Boeing and Iraq announce airplane order, discuss support for aviation modernization Phenom 100 Jet successfully concludes Low-Temperature tests

06/05/2008 PAL Express, the new, low-fares brand of Philippine Airlines, will serve 22 inter-island routes

Alternative Fuel Partnership teams Airbus with Honeywell, IAE and JetBlue United Airlines offers Inter-Island Hawaii flights with new Hawaiian Airlines codeshare agreement

Singapore Airlines' inaugural All-Business Class service takes flight

16/05/2008 U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters issues recommendations to help avoid future abrupt aircraft groundings, new measures to improve air travel travelers to get better delay data, warnings about baggage fees and better service, lower fares at New York’s JFK and Newark Airports

18/05/2008 07/05/2008 European aviation stakeholders applaud EC’s decision not to limit cabin baggage TAROM signs an agreement with SkyTeam to join the alliance as Associate airline

21/05/2008 AMR Corporation announces significant capacity reductions, aircraft retirements and additional revenue growth efforts

22/05/2008 Etihad to forge closer links with Malaysia Airlines

23/05/2008

05/05/2008 World’s airlines meet to review Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan™ Engine development Embraer delivers first Embraer 190 to FlyBaboo

20/05/2008 Singapore Airlines flies inaugural A380 flight from Tokyo Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines to cease shuttle service

Thai selects Rolls-Royce Trent 900 and Totalcare for A380 fleet

19/05/2008 Today the Sukhoi Superjet 100 successfully completed its maiden flight in Komsomolsk-on-Amur

Delta applauds U.S. Department of Transportation's final decision to expand Antitrust Immunity for six SkyTeam members

27/05/2008 British Airways buys two Airbus A318s for London City Airport services Boeing, Cathay Pacific Airways celebrate first 747400ERF delivery JetBlue Airways announces deferral of 21 Airbus A320 aircraft

28/05/2008 Gulf Air orders 35 Airbus single aisle widebody aircraft Qantas cuts capacity in response to fuel prices

29/05/2008 Geared Turbofan™ Engine completes phase II ground testing, cleared for first flight

30/05/2008 Silverjet ceases operations

J U N E

Industry Leaders Agree To Historic Declaration (2 June)

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he leaders of the world’s airlines unanimously agreed to a resolution calling for governments, airports and labour to take immediate action to help the industry survive the growing financial crisis. The resolution was made at the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 64th Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit. “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Airlines are an engine for global prosperity and failure amongst them would send shockwaves throughout the world economy,” said IATA Chairman and TAP Portugal CEO Fernando Pinto. The resolution comes after a recent spike in fuel prices that has led to two-dozen airlines ceasing operations or filing for bankruptcy. “Many more will not survive,” Pinto said. The declaration made six specific calls to action: * Governments must eliminate archaic rules that prevent airlines from restructuring across borders. * In view of existing fees and charges, governments must refrain from imposing multiple and additional puni-

tive taxes and other measures that will only deepen the crisis. * State service providers must invest to modernise air transport infrastructure urgently, eliminating wasteful fuel consumption and emissions. * Business partners, in particular monopoly service providers, must become as efficient as airlines are now. If not, regulators must restrain their appetite with tougher regulation. * Labour unions must refrain from making irresponsible claims and join the effort to secure jobs in aviation and indeed in other industries. * In the interest of the global economy and the flying public, we urge authorities to enforce the integrity of markets so that the cost of energy reflects its true value. “The airline industry is sending a clear message to governments, partners and labour. We are in crisis. Governments, labour and our business partners must understand this. And they must act,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA Director General and CEO.

04/06/2008

19/06/2008

FAA improvements help airlines save fuel costs and reduce emissions

New era for BA as OpenSkies takes off

05/06/2008

Spanair sales process abandoned – SAS Group to keep Spanair

Continental to reduce capacity, fleet and staffing Ryanair announces biggest ever single expansion Twelve AACO member airlines strike exclusive distribution agreement with Amadeus as of 1st of January 2009

20/06/2008 Boeing achieves 787 power on Continental Airlines and United Airlines announce comprehensive plan for global cooperation; Continental plans to join Star Alliance

Bombardier Secures Order For 110 Learjet 60 XR Aircraft

06/06/2008 Air One orders A350s and A330s

Garuda Indonesia - Singapore Airlines sign MoU

08/06/2008

Grand opening of 2nd phase expansion, Korea’s Incheon International Airport

IATA announces that the Royal Jordanian Airlines CEO is the new Chairman for IATA

23/06/2008 China Airlines and China Southern Airlines sign Memorandum of Cooperation

25/06/2008 European Commission adopts the second package of legislation for a Single European Sky (SES) GOL receives Antitrust Authority Approval of VRG acquisition Dubai’s Low Cost Airline Named “FlyDubai” Royal Jordanian

09/06/2008 China Southern set to establish a cargo joint venture with Air France-KLM

10/06/2008

26/06/2008

Etihad to codeshare with Jet Airways

Thai suspends service between Bangkok and New York

13/06/2008 SR Technics and Aer Lingus sign ten-year line maintenance

15/06/2008 Jin Air is the new name of Air Korea, Korean Air’spremium short-haul carrier subsidiary

18/06/2008

Bangladesh national carrier adds two Next-Generation Boeing's 737-800s to recent order for four 777-300ERs and four 787-8 Dreamliners

27/06/2008 United States, Brazil agree to expanded Air Services

30/06/2008 David Joyce named President and CEO of GE Aviation

Flughafen Wien AG acquires additional shares in Kosice Airport

GE

J U L Y

1 2t h A ir T ransp or t Research S ocie ty Worl d Co nference

F

rom the 6th to 10th of July 2008 the Hellenic Aviation Society and the University of the Aegean hosted the 12th Air Transport Research Society World Conference in Athens, Greece. More than 350 industry academics and executives, researchers, representatives from the authorities, airports and airlines gathered to discuss key issues in the field of civil aviation.

Mr. Pearce, presented the IATA perspective on this topic. He indicated that there has been a 20% to 30% rise in airline costs due to oil prices. In terms of cash flows he added that the situation is worse than it was on 9/11 and stated: «The support of revenues to recover costs has now disappeared. If oil prices do not go down then the industry will need a radical restructure».

The Conference opened with a warm welcome from the organizers of the ATRS Committee, Dr. Mr. Tarry, commented that someone has to pay Kostas Iatrou, Chairperson of the ATRS 2008 the cost of making that change. He pointed out Organizing Committee, Dr Andreas Papthat consolidation does not solve the problem atheodorou, Chairperson of the ATRS 2008 Exbut fundamental changes are. Mr. Pantazopouecutive Committee, Prof. Tae Oum, President los, adding the flat carrier perspective in the Dr Kostas Iatrou and Dr Taieb Cherif of ATRS, and from the co-hosters of the event, discussion, said that airlines need to take care Prof Paris Tsartas, Head of the Department of Business Administration of University of the Aegean, and of the cost which is not easy to low rapidly. However he predicted that oil prices will go down and that Mr. Emmanuel Keramianakis, President of the Hellenic Aviation Society. the market will find its balance. He added that with the Open Skies agreement things will change. Mr. Pearce, also pointed out that he is not necessarily pessimistic because the markets are liberalizing and In his opening remarks, during his keynote address, Dr Taieb Cherif, Secretary General of ICAO, stated: there are possibilities to recover. Mr. Foulkes, presented the airports point of view and stated that there «My objective is to add the perspective of the global regulator to this high level meeting of the minds». are signs of optimism. However, referring to the Milan Malpensa airport case, he stated that it is going He presented the context of the situation in which the air transport industry is found today. First, he to face big problems due to Alitalia’s bankruptcy. The chairman commented that airports have been pointed out the importance of the air transport industry in the global society and commented: «It is highly criticized by Mr. Bisignani regarding the high prices that they are charging to airlines. Mr. a maturing industry, with a well established institutional structure and a demonstrated ability to in- Foulkes answered that in Europe a lot of airports are regulated in order not to charge high prices. From tegrate rapidly developing technologies and innovative business practices». Although the industry a regional airline perspective, Mr. Simigdalas stated: «We did not expect such a situation to come so has experienced a fast growth regarding passengers and freight, he indicated that airlines have ex- quickly and that has hit all of the industry on the head». He pointed out that there are airlines that perienced marginal profitability and cyclical fiscal growth with less successful periods to follow. He are failing and the problem is great in Europe, contrary to the United States, because there is no regexplained that this is happening due to the fact that the industry is driven by operational and tech- ulation in Europe helping companies from bankrupting. He said: «What we urge everyone is that there nological changes as well as regulatory control. He added that terrorism, environmental concerns is no room for useless differences». He agreed with Mr. Pearce on the fact that there are no more revsuch as noise and engine emissions, airport and airspace congestion, communicable diseases, have enues to cover costs and posed a question: «Can we ensure that we can have the minimum amount deteriorate the situation for airlines and have minimized their growth. He addressed the issue of high of failures? » Mr. Goh, presenting the star alliance point of view, stated: «There are potentials in Asia. oil prices and stated: «We are witnessing new historical high of oil prices every day». He also pointed Carriers are experiencing growth but I am not sure for how long this will last. There will be significant out that competition between carriers has led some to provide services at any cost by outsourcing serv- effects on carriers». ices required for aviation safety. By concluding, he said: «ICAO plays the role of the global forum in this regard and stands steadfast in its ongoing role of providing guidance as well as offering assistance Regarding the environmental issue, Mr. Calleja indicated that Europe is very strongly committed against to States in implementing progressive policies in air transport» and commented: «This is not an easy climate change. «Although the contribution of the aviation industry to climate change is not very task, there are miles to go». high in absolute terms, it is important to take measures to tackle the issue because the percentage is growing», he said. He commented that «emissions trading» was invented in the United States and The conference went on with an executive forum of the air transport industry consisted by Mr. Daniel highlighted its importance because it enables aviation to grow. He added that Europe is working also Calleja, Director Air Transport of the European Commission, Mr. Brian Pearce, Chief Economist of IATA, towards the Single European Sky. By concluding, he said: «We believe that the best system will be a Mr. Chris Tarry of CTAIRA, Mr. Jeffrey Goh, General Counsel & VP Corporate Services of Star Alliance, global one but unfortunately it does not come. However Europe is playing a positive role towards a Mr. Antonis Simigdalas, President of the European Regions Airline Association, Mr. Morgan Foulkes, global solution». Mr. Pearce indicated that the airline industry is taking the environmental issue exDirector of Policy of ACI Europe, and Mr. Aristidis Pantazopoulos, CEO of Olympic Aviation. Prof. Paul tremely seriously and indicated that an enormous financial incentive has already been posed on airDempsey, Director of McGill University and chairman of the session, generated discussions on the lines. He said: «I fear that the European directions will lead to dispute». He agreed with Mr. Calleja state of the airline industry. that aviation needs a solution on a global basis. 01/07/2008

07/07/2008

EU-US safety agreement signed

FMG and Lufthansa Cargo in strategic cargo cooperation initiative

02/07/2008

Ethiopian and ASKY Airlines Sign MoU on Strategic Partnership and Investment

British Airways: Purchase of French airline l'avion

04/07/2008 Airbus Names A380 Delivery Centre in Hamburg After Jürgen Thomas

08/07/2008 Star Alliance lounge opens in London Heathrow Terminal 1 Qantas Freight leads push for paperless air cargo

Beijing Capital International Airport & Athens International Airport bonded under Brotherhood Agreement

10/07/2008 ExpressJet Airlines suspends branded commercial operations

J U L Y 11/07/2008

Continental Airlines, United Airlines and eight Star Alliance members ask U.S. DOT for Antitrust Immunity to better serve customers

Egyptair becomes 21st member of Star Alliance

25/07/2008 The EU improves access to air transport for people with reduced mobility

28/07/2008 First Airbus A380 enters Emirates fleet

14/07/2008 Low Fares Airlines withdraw their support for inclusion of aviation in EU ETS, as now proposed Farnborough 2008: Bombardier launches CSeries Aircraft program Emirates Airline buys 60 Airbus Wide-Body Aircraft CFM Technology investments bring substantial benefits: Lower fuel burn, lower emissions, longer time on wing, increased productivity and remains at the forefront of biofuels testing

Qantas Board announces CEO succession

Embraer and Aeroméxico Sign a Contract for 12 EMBRAER 190 Jets

Korean Air partners with Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air

29/07/2008

Etihad places firm orders for 45 Boeing aircraft Boeing, FlyDubai announce Next-Generation 737 order Bombardier and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation sign contract related to CSeries Commercial Aircraft Aircraft lessor DAE Capital signs firm order for 100 Airbus aircraft Boeing, Malaysia Airlines announce order for 35 Next-Generation 737s Asiana Airlines orders 30 Airbus A350 aircraft

15/07/2008 Delta Announces senior team to lead airline following closing of Delta-Northwest merger

Boeing 777 Freighter makes first flight

Boeing

17/07/2008 Airbus announces orders worth over US$ 40 billion at Farnborough Airshow ELFAA condemns verdict on Dutch Travel Tax

23/07/2008 Honeywell signs extension with Southwest Airlines to maintain fleet for 10 years

AUGUST

AA, BA and Iberia sign joint business agreement

A

merican Airlines, British Airways and Iberia have signed a joint business agreement on flights between North America and Europe and plan to expand their global cooperation. This relationship will benefit consumers by providing easy, seamless and convenient travel to more global destinations with better connections, improved flight schedules and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. It will improve customer choice by enabling the oneworld global alliance, of which American, British Airways and Iberia are key members, to compete more effectively around the world with other global alliances. The airlines plan to file today for worldwide anti-trust immunity from the US Department of Transportation and will notify the appropriate regulatory authorities in the European Union. In addition, fellow oneworld members Finnair and Royal Jordanian are included in the anti-trust immunity application. Under the joint business agreement, the three airlines will cooperate commercially on flights between the United States, Mexico and Canada, and the European Union, Switzerland and Norway while continuing to operate as separate legal entities. They will expand their codeshare arrangements on flights within and beyond the EU and US, significantly increasing the number of destination choices that the airlines can offer customers. Today's announcement is a significant step towards strengthening customer choice. This agreement would enable oneworld to compete effectively with rival global air alliances that have already received transatlantic anti-trust immunity. Currently, six airlines in SkyTeam and nine Star Alliance airlines have such immunity. Customers will be able to travel more easily on the three airlines' combined route network which will serve 443 destinations in 106 countries with more than 6200 daily departures and more frequent and convenient schedule options than any of the three carriers could offer individually. By working together to provide links for connecting passengers, the airlines can expand customer choice by supporting routes that would not be economically viable for the individual airlines. Customers will also benefit from expanded opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles and elite tier benefits on flights worldwide and continued reciprocal airport lounge access. The joint business agreement will enable the airlines to reduce costs and attract new customers, helping to mitigate pressure on fares from record fuel costs. This means that the airlines will have greater ability to invest in their products, services and fleets. Employees and shareholders will also benefit from the agreement. 01/08/2008 Airbus sells Laupheim site to Diehl/Thales

Gerard Arpey, chairman and chief executive of AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines, said: ' We believe our proposed cooperation is an important step towards ensuring that we can compete effectively with rival alliances and manage through the challenges of record fuel prices and growing economic concerns. In addition, we believe we will be more effective competitors with greater ability to invest in our products and services. As a result, this business agreement will create positive outcomes for our customers, shareholders, employees and the communities we serve.' Willie Walsh, British Airways' chief executive, said: 'This strategic relationship strengthens competition by providing consumers with easier journeys to more destinations with better aligned schedules and frequencies. We are applying for EU US anti-trust immunity in a changed regulatory world where London Heathrow is open to any US or EU airline that wants to fly to the United States and where rival alliances have immunity.' Fernando Conte, Iberia chairman and chief executive, said: 'Customers will benefit the most from this relationship as they will have better connections to more destinations around the world. It will increase competition as the three global airline alliances will play under the same rules. We are taking a very important step towards consolidation which is necessary in today's aviation industry.' oneworld Managing Partner John McCulloch said: "oneworld has for many years been the only global alliance without the benefit of anti-trust immunity between its key transatlantic partners. This has put oneworld at a considerable disadvantage. We've had to work a great deal harder and smarter than our competitors to deliver the alliance services and benefits that our customers have come to appreciate so much. "The competitive landscape has now changed fundamentally. Our rival alliances SkyTeam and Star have grown much bigger and the anti-trust immunity they enjoy has been extended far more widely. Meanwhile, the first phase of the new Europe-USA so-called "open skies" agreement is now in place, with five big new competitors launching a dozen daily flights between London Heathrow and the USA this flying season alone. "Anti-trust immunity between oneworld's transatlantic partners would enable them to unlock even more of oneworld's potential, enabling us to operate under the same rules as our alliance competitors. For consumers, that means stronger inter-alliance competition, more choice, more services and more benefits." Star Alliance has launched the first ever airline alliance product aimed at simplifying the often complex task of verifying travel documentation requirements, especially for itineraries which cover several countries

Emirates A380 fever heads to the U.S.

04/08/2008 First Engine Alliance GP7200 Engines enter service with Emirates

05/08/2008 Boeing Next-Generation 737 Carbon Brakes earn FAA certification

06/08/2008 Emirates Airbus A380 debuts on US West Coast Delta-Northwest Merger Receives Unconditional Clearance from the European Commission

07/08/2008 Boeing forecasts continued strong air cargo traffic growth

14/08/2008 Boeing Completes First BBJ 3 Boeing, American Airlines Finalize Deal for 26 Next-Generation 737s

15/08/2008

Spirit pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), responded today to continued threats of retribution from Spirit management

18/08/2008 TAM and Lufthansa initiate codeshare agreement TAM Receives first Boeing 777-300ER

Boeing, British Airways, GECAS finalize deal for up to 10 777-300ERs Air Transat becomes a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA)

08/08/2008 Americans divided on airplane cell phone use, according to new BTS special report

20/08/2008 Spanair MD-82 skids off runway in Madrid

21/08/2008 Boeing delivers EgyptAir 737-800 in Star Alliance Livery

Singapore concludes Open Skies Agreement with Malta

11/08/2008 African airlines to set up joint fueling facilities

12/08/2008 SkyEurope chooses CabinVu-123 for in flight security NATS: First fall in monthly traffic figures since 9/11

13/08/2008 Cathay Pacific selects SITA to ensure network readiness for new applications

Boeing

28/08/2008 Zoom Airlines ceases operation

SEPTEMBER

A call to activate global advocacy for airports (23 September)

A

irports Council International (ACI) Director General Angela Gittens addressed the association's global membership at their 18th General Assembly on 22 September, calling on them to energetically defend common airport interests in all aviation priority areas. Gittens exhorted her colleagues to take a more active role with stakeholders locally, regionally and worldwide. Based on her recent experience at two major conferences organized by the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, she stressed the need for airports to create a better balance with airline demands in this key international forum. “We need to unleash the power we have in the airport sector by communicating with our stakeholders, by collaborating with the each other and by coordinating our actions within and across the ACI regions. The international airline association IATA calls for layer upon layer of regulation, instead of recognizing that the most productive approach is for airports and airlines to work together locally on charges and planning issues, in order to seek mutually acceptable solutions for which we can jointly advocate.” She highlighted examples in the areas of airport economics, air traffic management modernization, revenues and environment. Announcing the release of the new ACI Global Traffic Forecast Report 2008-2027 (www.aci.aero), she said many airports must anticipate a slowdown over the next two years, but that the long term demand worldwide is expected to rise as of 2010, with passenger volumes surpassing the 5 billion mark by 2009 and 11 billion – or 30 million passengers per day – by 2027. (Key points are summarized in the Editor’s notes below)

ACI members unanimously approved two resolutions at the session, on the topics of airport economics and security. The first resolution reaffirms global airport industry commitment to providing infrastructure for the future, and the need to retain a long term focus despite the current complex economic and financial environment. It highlights the need to safeguard airports’ financial autonomy, strength and flexibility, rejecting superficial or short term measures that fail to recognize the complexity of airport business or that try to impose a "one size fits all" solution. The second resolution on security urges regulatory authorities to expedite a more sustainable risk management solution and to permit the relaxation of security restrictions on the carriage by passengers of liquids, aerosols and gels, committing to the introduction of alternative measures by 2009. Gittens concluded, “Airports are the community’s infrastructure and economic engine, no matter who owns or operates the facilities. That is powerful. I pledge to work with you to unleash that power to create a sustainable future.”

01/09/2008

18/09/2008

Centralwings cancels routes

Agreement on aviation security strengthens ICAO/EC relations

04/09/2008 Air France and KLM modernize their passenger revenue accounting system with IT from Lufthansa Systems

19/09/2008 First Qantas A380 Qantas Singapore and Japan expand air services

05/09/2008 Air Transport Association challenges DOT rates and charges policy Boeing issued the following statement after mediated talks with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers concluded today without reaching agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement, covering nearly 27,000 employees mainly in Washington, Oregon and Kansas

21/09/2008 Etihad Airways has set its sights on flying 25 million passengers a year by 2020, according to the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s chief executive, James Hogan, and doubling the number of cities served from 50 to 100

09/09/2008

22/09/2008

IATA, EUROCONTROL and CANSO Commit to Efficiency Plan

Delta/Northwest plan for Single Operating Certificate accepted by FAA

10/09/2008

JetBlue Celebrates New Terminal 5 At JFK

Pilots: DHL/UPS Proposal Is “One Bad Deal”

11/09/2008 Direct Lufthansa flights from Milan to major European cities

12/09/2008 XL Leisure Group in Administration Alaska Airlines reduces capacity 8 percent; Trims work force 9 percent to 10 percent

23/09/2008 CAA warns of dangerous goods risk to passenger safety following wheelchair battery incident

24/09/2008 Boeing's new environmental improvement has big impact on European carriers

25/09/2008 FAA finds Croatia does not meet ICAO safety standards

14/09/2008 A Boeing-737 belonging to Aeroflot-Nord crashed at the airport of Perm

30/09/2008 Alitalia: ENAC confirms temporary license

15/09/2008 Lufthansa takes a strategic equity share in Brussels Airlines SR Technics and Airbus conclude components agreement Etihad to codeshare with Malaysia Airlines

17/09/2008 Ryanair calls on the BAA Monopoly to sell Stansted The European Commission today found that a plan submitted by the Greek authorities whereby certain assets of Olympic Airlines and Olympic Airways Services will be privatised in bundled form does not involve any State aid provided that the undertakings given by the Greek authorities are fully complied with

OCTOBER

J e t a n d K i n g fis her form al li anc e

J

et Airways and Kingfisher Airlines are pleased to announce an agreement to the formation of an alliance of wide-ranging proportions that will help both carriers to significantly rationalize and reduce costs and provide improved standards of service and a wider choice of air travel options to consumers with immediate effect. The two airlines will be able to rationalize their operations and derive the maximum synergies and thereby offer the best possible fares for the benefit of the consumers. However, there will not be any mutual equity investments between the two companies. The downturn in the world economy has severely impacted the world aviation industry. The rapid increases in and the volatility in the crude oil prices and that of aviation turbine fuel and the slowdown in economic activity has resulted in a decline in air travel both on international and domestic segments of the air travel market. Worldwide the airline industry has sought to tackle the difficult environment through alliances and joint provision of the best possible standards of service and connectivity to the travelling public by achieving cost and operational synergies and providing extensive connectivity and by offering economical fares. Civil aviation is the keystone of infrastructure development and a key priority of the Indian Government for the development of the economy. The proposed alliance between Jet Airways and Kingfisher is in the national interest by incorporating the international best practice to strengthen the Indian aviation industry. The alliance will also enable a stabilization of the Indian aviation industry in the larger public interest for the benefit of the customer during the current downturn of the world economies. The Scope of the alliance will include the following areas: * Code-shares on both domestic and international flights subject to DGCA approval. * Interline/Special Prorate agreements to leverage the joint network deploying 189 aircraft offering 927 domestic and 82 International flights daily. * Joint fuel management to reduce fuel expenses. * Common ground handling of the highest quality. * Cross selling of flight inventories using the common Global Distribution system platform. Joint Network rationalization and synergies.

* Cross utilization of crew on similar aircraft types and commonality of training as also of the technical resources, subject to DGCA approval. * Reciprocity in Jet Privilege and King Club frequent flier programmes. In the current environment of high costs and declining growth this alliance has potential for substantial savings resulting in a benefit to the consumer. Commenting upon this path breaking alliance, Naresh Goyal, Chairman of Jet Airways said: “All over the world Airlines have formed alliances in order to become more efficient, improve revenues and provide seamless travel opportunities for their customers. India has witnessed tremendous growth in the past which has slowed down considerably. In this environment the Jet Airways – Kingfisher alliance represents a completely new industrial model for aviation in India which would be based on an unprecedented depth of cooperation between the two companies. There will be huge cost savings and revenue enhancement opportunities arising from this alliance.” Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman, Kingfisher Airlines said: “This is a quantum leap forward in the evolution of Indian aviation which will benefit customers by delivering the most comprehensive integration in the industry. Both Jet and Kingfisher fully realize that better understanding of supply and demand in this capital and labour intensive industry is the key to profitability and enhancement of shareholder value. I look forward to this alliance delivering superior quality, cost savings, flexibility and enhanced consumer value which is the hallmark of all successful alliances.” While maintaining their separate legal entities and brand entities both Jet and Kingfisher will examine co-branding opportunities and have formed a core committee of senior management personnel from both companies who will drive the various identified initiatives forward with immediate effect under the overall direction of Mr. Naresh Goyal and Dr. Vijay Mallya.

01/10/2008

first airlines to obtain EASA’s approval to use ADS-B in airspace not covered by radar

Ryanair calls on greedy airlines to reduce fuel surcharges

Aéroports de Paris and Schiphol Group to create a leading global alliance in the airport industry

02/10/2008 Ryanair launches State Aid complaint against latest unlawful Alitalia bailout

03/10/2008

Jet Airways & Jetlite forge codeshare agreement on key domestic routes

24/10/2008

Air France and Air Mauritius strengthen their partnership

IATA blasts EU ETS decision

05/10/2008

IATA: Alarming drop for September international traffic

Etihad extends codeshare with Brussels Airlines

06/10/2008 Ryanair welcomes Court Decision to refuse passenger compensation

07/10/2008 TAM Airlines to join Star Alliance

08/10/2008 Aer Lingus & United Airlines' Partnership takes to the skies

09/10/2008 IATA: US airport slot auctions illegal and unjustified

14/10/2008 Turkish Airlines decided to purchase total of 75 aircraft according to its fleet planning for the years 2009-2023

16/10/2008 ACI Europe condemns Belgian and Irish governments' decision to introduce air passenger taxes EUROCONTROL and EASA co-operate closely in Single European Sky

17/10/2008 LTE services suspension

28/10/2008 Today, Bombardier Aerospace announced another milestone in the advancement of civil aviation: a Bombardier test aircraft executed a first flight equipped entirely with an all electric braking system EUROCONTROL and ACI Europe join forces to combat airport congestion and reduce fuel burn and emissions Boeing, IAM reach tentative agreement on new contract Alaska and Horizon join oneworld’s Global Explorer round-the-world fare

29/10/2008 Sterling filed for bankruptcy Following the preliminary report of the Spanish Comisi n de Investigaci n de Accidentes e Incidentes de Aviaci n Civil (CIAIAC) on the 20 August 2008 accident of a Spanair McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82) at Madrid's Barajas International Airport, as well as the Agency's own evaluation of DC-9/MD-80 family service history, EASA is today publishing an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the DC-9/MD80 family of aircraft Delta and Northwest Merge, Creating Premier Global Airline Mexicana makes an incursion on the European market as part of its internationalization strategy

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to expand share in Brisbane Airport

19/10/2008 Emirates Terminal 3 at Dubai International launches Phase Two

20/10/2008 Qantas creates history with inaugural A380 service

21/10/2008 Air France, Air One and Volkswagen, three of the 18 aircraft operators participating in EUROCONTROL’s ADS-B Pioneer Airlines project, have become the world’s

31/10/2008 The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) today published on its website proposed implementing rules for authority and organisation requirements, including the corresponding acceptable means of compliance (AMC) and guidance material (GM) Swissport's Fueling Services are teaming up with Southwest Airlines

NOVEMBER

17 airlines, airports, air navigation service providers and manufacturers to test low-CO2-emission flight procedures in real conditions (18 November)

T

oday at the European Aviation Summit on sustainability, the SESAR Joint Undertaking formally announced the commitment of seventeen industry partners to testing novel, ‘green’ flight procedures under real conditions. The low-noise and -CO2-emission flight trials are being organised in the framework of AIRE, an agreement between the European Commission and the US Federal Aviation Administration, which aims to develop environmentally friendly air transport operations on transatlantic routes. More than one hundred trials will be performed in 2009. The SESAR programme came to life with the acknowledgment that Europe’s current air traffic control systems will soon be unable to cope with the growth in flight movements, the number of which will double by 2030[1]. At the same time, environmental awareness is rising, prompting the need for more efficient operations and better technology. The aim of the newly created SESAR Joint Undertaking is to ensure the modernisation of the European air traffic management system by coordinating and concentrating all relevant research and development efforts in the Community. Founded by the European Community and EUROCONTROL, the SESAR Joint Undertaking also obtains the commitment of the aviation industry. Antonio Tajani, European Commission Vice-President and Commissioner for Transport, had the following to say: “Low-emission flights are already possible today; the technology is available and all actors are willing to define together how the system should work. The AIRE programme is the European and trans-Atlantic platform to show that these are not only words but that green procedures are possible and that they fully comply with the most stringent safety requirements. They make flying much more efficient and reduce the costs and the effects on the environment and on the people living around airports. I am confident that we will soon put green procedures into daily practice.” EU-US ‘green’ flight cooperation called AIRE The Atlantic Interoperability Initiative to Reduce Emissions (AIRE) agreement between the European Commission and the United States is a programme which aims to improve energy efficiency, and lower engine emissions and aircraft noise. By taking advantage of air traffic management best practices and new technologies, it expects to accelerate the implementation of environmentally friendly procedures for all phases of flight, and to validate the benefits of these improvements. The SESAR Joint Undertaking is responsible for the management of AIRE from a European perspective. AIRE in practice: more than 100 trials and 17 partners Under this initiative, airlines, air navigation service providers (ANSP), the manufacturing industry and airports are invited to capitalise on present avionics technology and work collaboratively in order to perform integrated flight trials and demonstrations validating solutions for the reduction of CO2 emissions.The SESAR Joint Undertaking will support more than one hundred trials scheduled to take place in 2009 with seventeen partners: Airbus, Air France, the French ANSP DSNA, Aéroports de Paris, Thales, ADACEL, AVTECH, Egis Avia, Nav Portugal, TAP Portugal, Isavia, Icelandair, AENA, INECO, Iberia, LFV and Novair.Patrick Ky, Executive Director of the SESAR Joint Undertaking, made the following point: “Greener flight procedures could reduce the environmental impact per flight by 10%. To make this happen, we need

02/11/2008 Boeing: Machinists vote to ratify contract offer and return to work

to validate these new procedures under real operating conditions. Each flight demonstration and trial project will aim to demonstrate the environmental, operational and economical benefits which modern, environmentally friendly solutions will bring to air traffic management. To take an example of a Stockholm to New York flight operated with an Airbus A330, today’s consumption is about 46 tonnes of fuel, equivalent to 144 tonnes of CO2. It is estimated that thanks to greener air traffic management, savings in the range of 10% could be achieved, which in this example would a 4,6 tonnes reduction in fuel burn or a 14,4 tonnes reduction in CO2 emissions.”These trials will be conducted for ground movements and also terminal and oceanic procedures. In certain cases, outcomes of these trials will be coupled in order to have a “gate-to-gate” view of the flights. Ground movement: On average, aircraft are responsible for only about half of the emissions produced at and around airports[2]. The airport-related emission sources are generally categorised under aircraft emissions (aircraft engines and auxiliary power units), aircraft handling emissions (mainly ground support equipment, airside traffic, aircraft de-icing and refuelling), infrastructure or stationary sources (surface de-icing, power/heat generation plant, construction activities, etc.) and all vehicle traffic sources associated with the airport on access roads. Green ground movement trials with Air France at Paris CDG (in cooperation with the DSNA and Aéroports de Paris) will seek to demonstrate the effectiveness of a new collaborative decision support system which will minimise taxi time and allow for single engine taxi operation, thanks to enhanced time predictability. Terminal: Airports are one of the bottlenecks of the present air traffic management system. Air traffic flows are managed on a first-come, first-served basis leading to unnecessary fuel burn, as air traffic control (ATC) often requires aircraft to level off and hold at intermediate altitudes during descent. ‘Green’ approach (Continuous Descent Approaches) and green climb trials at Madrid, Paris CDG and Stockholm airports involving DSNA, Thales, AVTECH, LFV, Novair, Egis Avia, AENA, INECO, Iberia and Air France are planned. The first ‘Required Navigation Performance’ CDA approach ever to be performed in Europe is now planned at Stockholm’s Arlanda airport in cooperation with Airbus. Oceanic: In the present system, ever increasing traffic flows between Europe and North America are leading to inefficient fuel consumption, fewer accepted pilot requests and airline schedule disruptions. Trials for “green” Oceanic procedures and techniques (speed, horizontal and lateral flight profile optimisation) with Nav Portugal, Isavia involving TAP Portugal, Air France, ADACEL and Icelandair on selected routes between Europe and North/Latin America will be carried out in 2009. [1] Source: EUROCONTROL – Long Term forecast on www.eurocontrol.int. In 2007, about 10 million flights were registered, whilst the most likely scenario in the report “Challenges of Growth” predicts an average growth of 2.7% a year between now and 2030; i.e. 20.4 million flights by 2030. [2] According to ICAO Circular 303/AN 176.

05/11/2008 Sukhoi Superjet 100 is transported to SibNIA for fatigue tests Dubai first in Middle East to launch IATA e-freight

Perth Airport welcomes AirAsia X

03/11/2008 Norwegian starts air service to Dubai Arik Air gets more London Heathrow slots

07/11/2008 Grupo Marsans places a firm order for a total of 61 aircraft, including four A380s and ten A350s Belgian Government decide to drop its plans for an air ticket tax

04/11/2008

10/11/2008

Jet2.com rebrands

Etihad Airways adds four extra Sydney flights

Kuwait Airways and Lufthansa Systems extend their collaboration

Jet Airways and United Airlines forge frequent flyer partnership

Singapore concludes open skies agreement with Kuwait Depart with Finnair into the future – 85 years ahead Etihad celebrates five years of flying With GE Commercial Aviation Services' (GECAS) order for five-firm, 20-option ARJ21-700 regional jets, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, LTD (COMAC) has now taken orders for 206

11/11/2008 Emirates introduces State-Of-The-Art A380 on UK services

12/11/2008 Air Arabia confirms the purchase of 10 new Airbus A320s

NOVEMBER 159 new frequencies out of Copenhagen Airport

AirAsia X arrives in Melbourne Qantas to expand China network with China Eastern

14/11/2008 Customers on British Airways' new business-class service from London City to New York will be able to clear customs and immigration at Shannon Airport before arriving in the US Air Berlin is cancelling flight contracts for dba Boeing adjusts 747-8 program production and delivery schedule

16/11/2008 Boeing Completes Destructive Testing on 787 Dreamliner Wing Box

17/11/2008 Air Mauritius gives a new boost to its image with the unveiling of a new visual identity

19/11/2008 Ryanair to close Fuerteventura routes from January ’09 ATR and LION AIR sign MoU for 20 ATRs

20/11/2008 Malaysia Airlines and Air Mauritius strengthen their partnership

21/11/2008 The Extraordinary Administrator, Mr Augusto Fantozzi, announces today that he has accepted the Offer formalised on 19 November 2008 by C.A.I. S.p.A. for the purchase of the assets and contracts relating to flight activities of the companies in the Alitalia Group

25/11/2008 AirAsia X Connects Europe to Asia

26/11/2008 Thai protesters shut down BKK Airport

27/11/2008 An Airbus A320 operated by XL Airways of Germany has been lost in the Mediterranean

28/11/2008 Chinese Aviation Industry Airborne with GE-Powered ARJ21 Regional Jet

dnw.aero

Singapore signs open skies pacts with Romania and Zambia

DECEMBER

B re a k t h rou g h i n EU - Ca n a d a n e got i a t i on s o n f a r - re a c hi ng a v i a t i o n a g ree me n t ( 9 D ec em b er )

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ice-President Tajani today announced a breakthrough in the EU-Canada negotiations on a large aviation agreement. Negotiators from the EU and Canada had initialled a few days ago a comprehensive agreement on air services in line with the conclusions of the EU-Canada summit on 17 October. The agreement will be a major step in the opening of markets and investment opportunities. It both completes the transatlantic market started with the EU-US first stage aviation agreement, and goes well beyond it. The agreement will generate major benefits for both partners' consumers, airlines and broader economies. "I informed the EU Ministers today that the negotiations have been finalised. The new agreement makes the EU-Canada market one of the most open in the world and is a milestone for EU-Canada relations. It will be key in further stimulating EU-Canada transatlantic trade. It is groundbreaking in the aviation world as the agreement includes all possible aspects of aviation, including investment. The agreement is an important sign in the current economic situation that EU and Canada want to significantly expand their relations", said Antonio Tajani Commission Vice-President responsible for transport. All EU airlines will be able to operate direct flights to Canada from anywhere in Europe. The Agreement removes all restrictions on routes, prices, or the number of weekly flights be01/12/2008 Malaysia Airlines adopts SITA reservations system as turnaround enters new phase

tween Canada and the EU. Other traffic rights will be liberalised gradually in parallel with the opening up of investment opportunities. The agreement will finally establish a full Open Aviation Area between the EU and Canada. EU nationals will be able to establish operations in Canada and freely invest in Canadian airlines and vice versa. Furthermore, the agreement will help tackle common challenges, such as security or the environment. Both sides agreed to closely cooperate in order to mitigate the effects of aviation on climate change. In the field of safety and security, the agreement envisages mutual recognition of standards and one-stop security. Specific provisions to improve consumer interests are also included. This will facilitate the operations for airlines and airports, and reduce hassle for passengers. The text provides for a strong mechanism to ensure that airlines cannot be discriminated in terms of access to infrastructure or state subsidies, another real novelty in international aviation. Building on the success of the European internal aviation market, the agreement is also an important step towards the normalisation of the international aviation industry as it gradually removes outdated restrictions for prices, traffic rights and investments, and facilitates the cooperation between the authorities, including in international bodies. Airbus Selects Goodrich Wheels and Carbon Brakes for A350 XWB Aircraft Family

10/12/2008 Lufthansa and Ethiopian expand services

02/12/2008 British Airways: Merger talks with Qantas Delta to manage 2009 capacity due to global economic slowdown and softening traffic Boeing Engineering and Technical Employees Ratify Contracts

03/12/2008 Lufthansa Supervisory Board approves acquisition of Austrian Airlines 1 flight in two faces congestion, delays and cancellation by 2030 according to a new EUROCONTROL study

Emirates Airline Launches San Francisco Service With World’s Longest Green Flight Trial

11/12/2008 Boeing Schedules 787 Dreamliner First Flight for Second Quarter 2009; First Delivery for First Quarter 2010 Endorsement of the second package of Single European Sky measures (SES II) by the European Parliament’s Transport Committee Brussels Airlines to join Star Alliance

Air passengers’ rights: Commission reiterates its priorities and highlights its planned action for 2009

04/12/2008 Ryanair today warned passengers against booking their summer holidays with flaky charter airlines or shoddy holiday companies as it predicted that the spate of airline bankruptcies Norwegian expands its CPH base Embraer Breaks Ground for its First U.S. Assembly Plant

United Airlines, EgyptAir Announce Codeshare Agreement

13/12/2008 Embraer Delivers 500th E-Jet to France's Regional

15/12/2008 Jet Airways partners with Emirates

EUROCONTROL’s Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre has implemented a nextgeneration interoperable Flight Data Processing System (FDPS) to manage one of EuWizz Air is outraged by the fact that PPL (Polish Airport Authorities) will close the rope’s busiest and most complex airspaces, located above the Benelux and Etiuda Terminal and double the charges imposed on airlines currently operating out of North-West Germany Etiuda effectively from April 2009

05/12/2008

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft and Kartika Airlines Announce Order for 15 Sukhoi Superjet 100s

08/12/2008 The SESAR Joint Undertaking, a unique public-private partnership in air traffic management research, was inaugurated today in Brussels

16/12/2008

Etihad launches joint venture with Amadeus

17/12/2008 KLM becomes full owner of Martinair

Air Transport Association Applauds Appeals Court Decision To Stay New York Slot Auctions

09/12/2008 The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced its forecast for 2009 showing an industry loss of US$2.5 billion, Worst Revenue Environment in 50 Years EU signs aviation agreement with Armenia and Israel

The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) welcomes today’s vote by the European Parliament to omit aviation from the revised Emissions Trading ‘Mother’ Directive

DECEMBER Turkish Airlines to start “First Class” Service ATR starts ground tests of the -600 series

18/12/2008 Qantas and BA merger talks end SAS Group sells airBaltic to management and has reached an initial agreement with a group of investors from Catalonia, lead by the Consorci de Turisme de Barcelona (the "Consorci") and Catalana d'Iniciatives ("Iniciatives"), for their incorporation as new majority shareholders into SAS' subsidiary Spanair S.A. Etihad awarded flying rights to Japan Ryanair delighted at EU Court’s dismissal of Charleroi case Delta Strengthens Los Angeles Gateway with New Nonstop Flights to Sydney, Sao Paulo, Increased Service to New York

22/12/2008 Embraer sells 11 E-Jets to British Airways FAA Approves Boeing 787 Dreamliner Maintenance Program Pratt & Whitney’s PW4000 Advantage70™ Earns FAA Certification

24/12/2008 Second Sukhoi Superjet 100 prototype takes to the skies in Komsomolsk WestJet and Southwest Airlines Ink Code-sharing Agreement

30/12/2008 Air New Zealand Test Flight Proves Viability of Jatropha Biofuel