21 Aug 2017

USA Aviation Industry Newsletter 21 August

Administrative flexibility behind Tigerair USA traffic rights While there are no immediate plans for Tigerair Australia to resume international flying, Virgin Australia has received authorization for its low-cost carrier (LCC) unit to operate services to the United States. In its application to Australia’s International Air Services Commission (IASC) for reauthorization of its United States traffic rights, Virgin Australia sought to include a condition permitting its wholly-owned subsidiary Tigerair Australia to fly to the US. Airlines for America Projects U.S. Airlines to Carry 16.1 Million Passengers over Labor Day Travel Period Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today projected 16.1 million passengers will fly worldwide in scheduled service on U.S. airlines over the Labor Day travel period, up 5 percent (110,000 passengers per day) from the 15.4 million passengers estimated to have flown during this period last year. Accordingly, airlines are adding 133,000 seats per day across their networks to accommodate the expected increase in demand. Over the seven-day air travel period, beginning Wednesday, Aug. 30 and ending Tuesday, Sept. 5, ATL, LAX and ORD, respectively, are expected to be the three busiest U.S. airports based on departing seats in scheduled service. Friday, Sept. 1 is expected to be the busiest day, followed by Thursday, Aug. 31 and Monday, Sept. 4. Delta Adds New Service to Lagos from New York-JFK Hub Beginning March 24, 2018, Delta will add new service between its New York-JFK hub and Lagos, Nigeria. This three-times-weekly service complements the Atlanta-based carrier’s Atlanta to Lagos flight, which operates four-times-weekly. Europe's Low-Fare Airlines Continue Aggressive Expansion Into U.S. More European based airlines are increasing their service to the U.S. to capitalize on increased demand as well as the advent of new longer-range single-aisle jets. Airlines like leisure carriers Thomas Cook Airlines and its corporate sibling, Condor, are adding flights to U.S. with flights to Manchester and elsewhere.  Other players include XL Airways, which has merged with boutique business class line La Compagnie; Edelweiss, a Swiss low-cost contender, and Level, the new discount clone from British Air parent IAG , which is operating flights to the U.S. from Barcelona. Hong Kong Airlines to begin flying to U.S. mainland with new Airbus A350s The latest to announce service is Hong Kong Airlines, which will launch non-stop flights between Los Angeles and Hong Kong on 18 December on Airbus A350 aircraft. The airline will begin with four round-trip flights a week before moving to daily service on 16 January. Tempus Applied Solutions To Acquire Ex-Royal Air Force Air-To-Air Refueling Aircraft Tempus Applied Solutions (TAS) announced today that the company has entered into a definitive purchase agreement for the acquisition of six Lockheed L-1011s formerly owned and operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom.  Four of these aircraft are specifically configured for air-to-air refueling (AAR) operations and the remaining two are configured for passenger and cargo operations only.  Although the aircraft served the RAF and NATO for 30 years until their retirement in 2014, the aircraft have many years of service life remaining.  The L-1011s have been in flyable storage in the UK since their retirement.  The closing of the acquisition will take place following satisfactory inspection of the aircraft and associated log books and support equipment. Two Businessmen Look to Revive Midwest Express Two businessmen from Wisconsin are looking for investors to help restore the defunct Midwest Express as an operating airline once again. Curt Drumm and Greg Aretakis have announced their intentions to rebuild the airline after it ceased operations in 2009. Both Drumm and Aretakis have airline experience, with Drumm working as an aviation consultant and Aretakis formerly serving as an executive for Frontier Airlines and Midwest Express. WA manufacturer confirms world-first supply agreement with US airline Australian company Structural Monitoring Systems (SMS) has become the world’s first to supply structural health monitoring (SHM) technology to a commercial airline. A 10-year agreement with Delta Air Lines will see SMS identify opportunities for real-time monitoring sensor (CVM) solutions on multiple aircraft types as part of a deal worth a projected US$7 million (A$8.81 million) in revenue. Acumen Aviation © 21 August All Rights Reserved.