News for Europe/MEA

Copenhagen Airports A/S issued (31-Aug-2017) a DKK50 million (EUR6.7 million) tender to expand Copenhagen Kastrup Airport's T2 airside area by 4000sqm, and rebuild the existing T2 retail areas. The scope of works includes establishment of a new arrivals area and general refurbishment, along with a new second floor. Bidders are invited until 22-Sep-2017. [more - original PR]

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary affirmed plans to submit a binding bid for Alitalia, adding the while the carrier "struggles to make money... it's still a very good brand in Italy" (Bloomberg/Reuters/Milano Finanza, 31-Aug-2017). Mr O'Leary said Alitalia's brand would be retained, as would most of the carrier's Rome based aircraft. He said: "The jets are all leased, so we would want those leases, but we would want the bankruptcy administrator to restructure them". Mr O'Leary reportedly stated pilots and engineering employees are also planned to be retained. He however noted competition concerns around the combined market share of the two carriers, with Ryanair already being the largest airline in Italy. In the event of competition concerns affecting acquisition, Ryanair would pursue around 90 aircraft instead, according to Mr O'Leary. According to the CAPA Fleet Database, Alitalia operates a mix of A320 family aircraft, A330-200s and Boeing 777-200ERs.

CAPA - Centre for Aviation stated (31-Aug-2017) Emirates received one A380 aircraft (A6-EUY; serial number 242) on 27-Aug-2017, as recorded by the CAPA Fleet Database. The airline now operates 97 A380s with 45 on order.

Royal Air Maroc plans to commence three times weekly Casablanca-Bilbao service on 26-Mar-2018, according to a 30-Aug-2017 GDS display. The airline will operate the service weekly with Boeing 737-700, 737-800 and Embraer 190 aircraft.

Ethiopian Airlines MD Ethiopian International Services Esayas WoldeMariam confirmed the airline is in negotiations for a contract to manage Arik Air, in response to a request by Nigeria's Ministry of Aviation (AP/The Citizen/The East African, 30-Aug-2017). Ethiopian Airlines submitted a proposal and is "bidding with other airlines" for the contract. Mr WoldeMariam said: "We definitely are willing and able to take over the management of Arik Air".

Auckland Airport noted (30-Aug-2017) European visitors increased 24.2% year-on-year during Jul-2017. The strongest visitor growth were from UK (36.2%), France (29.8%) and Spain (26.3%). The positive result was contributed by Emirates upgauging Dubai service to the A380. [more - original PR]

Auckland Airport reported (30-Aug-2017) strong growth in international passenger traffic on Asia and Middle East routes, up 26.8% year-on-year for Jul-2017. This was driven by new routes to China, Hong Kong and Qatar as well as Emirates up-gauging to A380 for its direct Dubai service. Meanwhile traffic on Americas routes decreased 3.3% due to seasonal capacity reduction by United Airlines' on San Francisco service. [more - original PR]

Ryanair reiterated (30-Aug-2017) calls for Berliners to vote 'Yes' on the 24-Sep-2017 referendum to keep Berlin Tegel Airport open. Ryanair noted Berlin Brandenburg Airport, due to replace Tegel, will have capacity of only 27 million passengers p/a. Ryanair stated this is less than Dublin Airport, located in a city with one third of Berlin's population. Ryanair stated: "With almost 33m passengers already travelling through Berlin's two existing Schonefeld and Tegel airports last year, the planned closure of Tegel will leave Berlin with less airport capacity than its existing traffic". [more - original PR]

British Airways announced (30-Aug-2017) plans to launch the following trans Atlantic services from London Gatwick Airport for summer 2018:

• London Gatwick-Toronto: Three times weekly, effective 01-May-2018;
• London Gatwick-Las Vegas: Three times weekly, effective 27-Mar-2018;

British Airways also operates London Heathrow-Las Vegas service. British Airways will operate 21 trans Atlantic services from Gatwick over summer 2018. [more - original PR]

Zambia's Minister of Transport and Communication Brian Mushimba said the Government is investing more than USD1 billion in developing aviation infrastructure, including the expansion and improvement of airports (The Times of Zambia, 29-Aug-2017). Mr Mushimba said: "We feel that to take full advantage of that investment, a national airline is needed especially that it can play the catalytical role to accelerating economic development".