01 Jul 2019

North America Newsletter 1 July

Air Canada and Transat A.T. Inc. Conclude Definitive Arrangement Agreement for Combination of the Two Companies Air Canada and Transat A.T. Inc. announced 27^th June that they have concluded a definitive Arrangement Agreement that provides for Air Canada's acquisition of all issued and outstanding shares of Transat and its combination with Air Canada. Under the terms of the binding agreement, unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Transat, Air Canada will acquire all outstanding shares of Transat for $13 per share. The value of the all-cash transaction is approximately $520 million. Air Transat and Transat brands to be maintained to complement the Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Vacations brands. American Airlines Announces Schedule of Final MD-80 Revenue Flights American Airlines will retire its last 26 McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft on 4^th September. The MD-80, also known as the Super 80, was the workhorse of the airline’s fleet throughout the 1980s and beyond, providing customers and team members with heartfelt memories on adventures ranging from family vacations to key business trips. It’s a bittersweet but well-earned retirement as American celebrates the aircraft’s history while modernizing its fleet. American Airlines Adds Three New Routes to Caribbean and Latin America from New York The growth of American Airlines in the Caribbean and Latin American continues with the announcement of three new routes from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) beginning in November. On 21 November American will launch daily service from JFK to Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ), and San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO). Saturday-only service to Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR), follows starting 21 December operated on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. JetBlue Gears Up For Guadeloupe As Airline Announces Plans for Newest Caribbean Destination JetBlue announced 27^th June it intends to grow its already expansive footprint in the Caribbean with new, nonstop seasonal winter service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Guadeloupe’s Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (PTP) (a). Three times weekly service is expected to launch in February 2020 using Airbus A320 aircraft. Jesus Medina Promoted to Vice President Caribbean for Silver Airways and Seaborne Airlines Silver Airways has promoted Captain Jesus Medina to Vice President of the Caribbean for Silver Airways and Seaborne Airlines. Medina was previously the Chief Operating Officer for Seaborne Airlines. In his new position, in addition to continuing as Chief Operating Officer and Part 119 Director of Operations for Seaborne Airlines, Medina is the key point of contact for Silver Airways’ and Seaborne Airlines’ operational, commercial and governmental activities within the Caribbean region, including overseeing maintenance, airport operations, flight operations, inflight and commercial area for both Silver Airways and Seaborne Airlines throughout the Caribbean. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to Acquire Canadair Regional Jet Program from Bombardier Inc. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd and Bombardier Inc announced 25^th June they have entered into a definitive agreement, whereby MHI will acquire Bombardier's regional jet program for a cash consideration of $550 million USD, payable to Bombardier upon closing, and the assumption by MHI of liabilities amounting to approximately $200 million . Under the agreement, Bombardier's net beneficial interest in the Regional Aircraft Securitization Program (RASPRO), which is valued at approximately $180 million USD, will be transferred to MHI. Pursuant to the agreement, MHI will acquire the maintenance, support, refurbishment, marketing, and sales activities for the CRJ Series aircraft, including the related services and support network located in Montréal, Québec, and Toronto, Ontario, and its service centers located in Bridgeport, West Virginia, and Tucson, Arizona, as well as the type certificates. Turkish Airlines expands network with its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Boeing 26^th June delivered the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner for Turkish Airlines, which plans to use the airplane's fuel efficiency, range, reliability and size to operate new non-stop international routes such as Bali, Bogota-Panama, Washington and Atlanta. United Airlines Adds Second Daily Nonstop Service between San Francisco and Hong Kong United Airlines announced 27^th June it is offering customers a second daily nonstop flight between San Francisco and Hong Kong. Beginning October 26, United will operate two daily nonstop flights between San Francisco and Hong Kong WestJet, Delta Air Lines obtain clearance from the Canadian Competition Bureau for transborder joint venture WestJet and Delta Air Lines announced 27^th June that their proposed U.S. – Canada transborder joint venture has received clearance under Canada's Competition Act from the Canadian Competition Bureau (CCB). The CCB issued a no-action letter confirming that it does not intend to challenge the proposed joint venture agreement between WestJet and Delta Air Lines. Acumen Aviation © 1 July 2019 All Rights Reserved.