Airline News February 2005

Feb 17, 2005

Emirates

Emirates vice chairman and group president Maurice Flanagan told the Wings Club this week that the financial condition of the world's airlines is being distorted by the large losses reported by U.S. Airlines. Industry losses since 2001 total $35 billion, but the estimated global airline loss of about $5 billion for the last year was "distorted by losses of $9 billion made by very large U.S. Carriers. They were best by socio-economic crises that have not troubled the rest of the world to anything like the same extent." The outlook for 2005 is better than for 2004, he said. Emirates has turned a profit every year except for its second year in 1986. It has 100 airplanes on the order books and is growing its traffic.

Feb 23, 2005

Ethopian Airlines

Ethopian Airlines has become the first African carrier to join the Boeing 787 launch team. Said to be one of the best airlines, operationally, on the continent the Addis Ababa based airline has committed itself to five firm orders and a further five options. With this agreement, Boeing has 191 announced orders and commitments for the 787 from 15 airlines. First delivery is set for 2008 for the airline which added its first jet aircraft back in 1963, a Boeing 720B in 1963 (a hot and high short range version of the 707). http://www.flyethiopian.com

Feb 14, 2005

Etihad

Etihad, the Abu Dhabi based airline, and Heathrow's major latest arrival, has chosen two versions of Rolls-Royce Trent engine family to power the latest phase of its fleet expansion. The deal involves Trent 900 engines for four Airbus A380s and Trent 700s to power 12 A330 twinjets. Including long-term TotalCare maintenance agreements covering all the engines, the contract is valued at $950m. Etihad's initial Trent selection was announced at last summer's Farnborough Air Show when the airline ordered eight, four-engined, ultra-long-distance A340-600 airliners, for which the Trent 500 is the sole engine. Etihad becomes the sixth airline to select Rolls-Royce power for the A380, taking total Trent 900 orders to 84 firm and option aircraft, and giving the engine a 51% market share. http://www.etihadairways.com

Feb 20, 2005

FlyBe

Liverbool airport has gained FlyBe as a major tenant airline. The Exeter-based carrier last week introduced a four times daily Belfast City service, marking the start of the company's roll-out of six new UK flight destinations. Daily flights to Edinburgh and Glasgow commence on 27 March, Glasgow doubling from 16 June. Jersey gets a Saturday flight from 7 May. Travellers can fly daily to Southampton from 12 May and Exeter from16 June. http://www.flybe.com

Feb 14, 2005

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Smaller airports start offering free wireless Internet access. The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will start promoting its free wireless Internet access, the Miami Herald reports. Large airports have been slow to establish wireless networks because of their size, but smaller airports have used the technology to attract business travelers. Fort Lauderdale airport officials say they will consider charging for the service after they monitor usage.