Adria Airways announced (29-Oct-2017) plans to operate the following Bern services from 06-Nov-2017 as a result of the announcement of the expiry of SkyWork Airlines' operating licence and cancellation of its Bern services:
Adria Airways plans to station two aircraft in Bern. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - German - II]
Emirates co-chairman StB steering group and VP, PSS transition Rob Broere commented (26-Oct-2017) that airline departments are unwilling to share passenger data between them and also with other elements in the aviation value chain, as "everybody thinks the customer is their customer and so they are not willing to share information". This attempt to retain customer revenue for themselves means aviation businesses are unable to develop more personalised and convenient customer relationship. [more - original PR]
Meridiana announced (27-Oct-2017) its 165 seat MD-80 fleet will be phased out on 31-Oct-2017. The aircraft will be replaced by Boeing 737 aircraft, already in the carrier's fleet. The final operational sector is Rome Fiumicino-Olbia. According to the CAPA Fleet Database, the carrier operates five MD-82s and one MD-83 aircraft. [more - original PR - English/Italian]
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said the airport company, Emirates and flydubai will evaluate and agree on "a series of proposals" for sharing airport infrastructure by the airlines, "hopefully before the end of the month" (Reuters, 26-Oct-2017). Mr Griffiths said: "We need to make a strategic decision about how the traffic distribution will work. Then we need to move quickly into a design and construction phase to build whatever facilities are necessary for that, or adapt existing facilities around the new business model". He added: "What we are trying to do is see if we can get some sort of operating model established with them that will mean the infrastructure is shared on a more operational basis".
South Africa's Minister of Finance Malusi Gigaba said the Government intends to retain ownership of South African Airways (SAA) (Business Report Online, 26-Oct-2017). Mr Gigaba stated: "SAA has about 10,500 employees and for government to lose SAA would be a huge blow to the economy and to the employees that would lose their jobs and have their families affected. SAA is a beacon and shining spotlight for South Africa and selling it would have a trigger effect on other lenders and people who borrow money from South Africa. Selling SAA would create a very bad impression for our economy". As previously reported by CAPA, the Government intends to "consolidate aviation assets and bring in a strategic equity partner".
Icelandair president and CEO Björgólfur Jóhannsson reported (26-Oct-2017) the airline is anticipating continued growth, with the 2018 schedule slated to expand by 11% year-on-year. Mr Jóhannsson noted the outlook for the company's operations remains unchanged, but competition remains "fierce" in the trans Atlantic and continued pressure is anticipated on average airfares. Mr Jóhannsson believes the airline is "well positioned to weather fluctuations in its operating environment". [more - original PR]
Krakow Airport announced (26-Oct-2017) plans to invest around PLN1 billion (EUR235 million) through 2036 to support capacity growth to handle 12 million passengers p/a. Krakow Airport forecast the investment to create 10,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities. Among plans include a new 80,000sqm terminal and 30% warehouse space growth. [more - original PR]
Norwegian Air Shuttle reported (26-Oct-2017) 3Q2017 results were characterised by strong international passenger growth and high load factors, as well as fleet growth and renewal. The airline carried a total of 9.8 million passengers, up 14% year-on-year. Norwegian recorded the highest increase in passengers in the US and Spain, up 79% and 25% respectively. The airline's load factor increased to 91.7% and the ASK growth was 25%. [more - original PR]
SAS confirmed (26-Oct-2017) plans to operate to five new destinations and open 27 new direct routes from Denmark, Norway and Sweden over summer 2018. Key services include:
flyadeal CEO Con Korfiatis said the airline expects to issue an RFP "very shortly over the next month" for "around 50 aircraft including options" (The National, 25-Oct-2017). The carrier is seeking a single aircraft type and is considering acquiring A320s or Boeing 737s. The airline is considering a "range of possibilities" for financing the aircraft. Mr Korfiatis said: "We are taking an open mind with this, we are going out and asking the manufacturers to put their best forward... because this will be the long-term decision for flyadeal". The airline currently intends to expand its fleet to five A320s by the end of 2017 and eight by mid 2018.