Emirates president hits back at US allegations of Open Skies violations 

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Emirates’ president Sir Tim Clark has hit back at American carriers accusing the Gulf airline of unjustly benefiting from government subsidies, saying that his company “has nothing to hide.”

Sir Tim denied charges that Emirates has violated international Open Skies agreements, as alleged by the industry trade group Airlines for America. “We have provided our financials. We treat ourselves like a publicly listed company. We’re not, we’re a private company. The government of Dubai, which owns Emirates, doesn’t have to publish anything. But we publish everything to the sixth decimal place and we’re audited. We’ve never made anything secret because we have nothing to hide.” 

American, Delta, and United Airlines have tried to block Emirates from expanding in the US, claiming that a purported $50 billion in subsidies received from the government of Dubai gives Emirates an unfair advantage over domestic carriers.

Rolls-Royce aircraft engine fix will take ‘some years’

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Most media outlets are reporting that the aerospace giant Rolls Royce has said that parts in its Trent 1000 engines were wearing out faster than expected but that it “had a solution” to the problem. 

It came as Rolls-Royce reported better-than-expected results for 2017, following a record loss in 2016. However, it signalled job losses ahead as the firm continues to cut costs. 

In December, Air New Zealand became the latest airliner to ground some of its flights because of problems with its Rolls-Royce engines. Japan’s ANA, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have also had problems. Rolls-Royce said up to 500 Trent 1000 engines – used on Boeing 787 planes – and some Trent 900 engines had technical problems. 

Boss Warren East told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “First you have to realise that all mechanical things wear out over time, and some of the parts in our Trent engines are wearing out faster than we originally forecast. “We’re having to manage the operational impacts because it’s quite disruptive for our customers.” He added: “We have a solution, we have a plan, it will take some years to fully implement the modifications in all the engines which are in service.”  

Vote secures easyJet’s right to fly after Brexit 

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easyJet has pushed ahead with plans to protect its flying rights after Brexit following a shareholder vote in favour of legal changes to help ensure the airline meets EU ownership rules.

Shareholders have recently met at easyJet’s annual meeting and approved changes to its articles of association that will ensure it is EU-owned and controlled after Brexit.

The article suggests that the move means it has the power to force UK shareholders to divest their shares if the airline needs them to. John Barton, chairman, said: “Brexit is one of the biggest issues facing the European airline industry.” He said that while the airline had no ‘immediate intention’ of using these powers, they were an ‘important element in ensuring that easyJet has the ability to maintain EU ownership and control at all times should we need to do so’.

easyJet said close to 50 per cent of its shares were already held by European Economic Area nationals. It also said it expected the Civil Aviation Authority to grant it an air operator’s certificate in the coming weeks to cover its UK-based aircraft. It added that the government had confirmed that easyJet UK would be treated as a British carrier after Brexit even though its parent was EU-owned.   

Aegean Air plans major expansion with order of 50 jets 

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Aegean Airlines, the former island-hopper that’s expanded to replace defunct Greek flag-carrier Olympic Air, plans to order at least 50 new single-aisle jetliners in the next three or four weeks. 

Aegean, which has already doubled its fleet since 2013, will choose between the latest Airbus SE A320neo and 737 Max.

The aircraft, to be delivered between 2020 and 2024, will replace an aging all-Airbus jet fleet.

Heathrow rejects accusation it thwarted rival proposal for an extended runway  

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The UK press has reported that a ‘fresh row has erupted’ about expansion at Heathrow, after the transport secretary Chris Grayling said the ‘main reason’ he could not recommend the extended runway option was because the airport owners would not guarantee to build it. 

However, Heathrow rejected the accusation, and said: “Heathrow did not ever veto any plan. As the secretary of state identifies there were several issues which led to the Government choosing a north-west runway at Heathrow. In the end, the Government followed the advice of the Airports Commission which after its 2.5 year, £20 million study – the biggest ever into the issue – found a north-west runway delivers on all fronts including economic value, safety and benefits to local communities.” 

Flight Crew Futures Event in the UK – Free Entry

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16th May 2018 – Gatwick – 1000 – 1630

Airlines are continuing to expand their fleets and this, together with indications of a global shortage of pilots, means that there’s never been a better time for experienced, low-hour and recently qualified candidates who are seeking genuine career opportunities.

Left and Right seat opportunities

Flight Crew Futures partners pilots attending the event with airlines and recruiting agencies which are seeking to recruit experienced, low-hour and recently qualified candidates who meet their requirements.

Meet directly with pilot recruiters

Visiting pilots will get the chance to meet directly with recruiters in a single venue – this is a unique opportunity to get all the facts, career advice and answers in an informal environment.

Informative presentations throughout the day

Flight Crew Futures’ drop-in format will also include presentations from recruiters throughout the day, allowing pilots who attend to get a comprehensive overview of their current flight crew requirements, salary packages and employment terms. The presentation programme will also include several presentations by BALPA on topics relevant to today’s pilots.

Entry to Flight Crew Futures is FREE. Simply complete the online registration to let us know that you’re attending.

There will be a wide range of opportunities on offer at Flight Crew Futures, from First Officer positions right up to Captains.

Before registering to attend, please consider whether your experience matches the criteria required by the companies who will be at the event.

Who should attend?

  • Experienced pilots considering career progression.
  • Type-Rated pilots seeking career progression.
  • Pilots considering a career move overseas.
  • Low-hour pilots/Frozen ATPL
  • Recently graduated ATPL pilots seeking their first career opportunity.
  • Military crew leaving the forces and now seeking pilot opportunities in the commercial sector.

Entry is free, but you need to register – https://www.pilotcareernews.com/live/flightcrew/

 

Flybe revenue recovering after capacity cut 

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Regional airline Flybe says it has seen growth in passenger revenue since making the decision to cut seat capacity on its routes. 

Flybe reported an increase in load factor of 8.6 percentage points, as well as passenger revenue growth of 8.5 per cent in the third quarter of 2017.

The airline reduced seat capacity by 4.2 per cent, resulting in revenue per seat rising by 13.3 per cent. 

Despite the reduction in capacity, Flybe saw an 8.1 per cent increase in passenger numbers to 2.3 million.

The carrier says its focus will now be reducing costs and maintaining greater control over reliability.

WOW air sets record for longest A321neo service

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WOW air flew between Reykjavik and Los Angeles using an A321neo, marking the longest service ever operated on this model.

The flight had a duration of eight hours and 43 minutes and a total distance of 7045km.

Fears of price war as US airlines raise capacity  

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A sell-off in the US airline sector continued into its second day yesterday after American Airlines and Southwest Airlines joined rival United Continental in raising seat capacity for 2018 – ‘stoking fears of a price war’, according to Financial Times. 

The article suggests that although strong demand helped both airlines deliver a rise in revenues in the fourth quarter last year, according to their earnings announcements, higher operating costs and lower fares weighed on the two companies’ bottom lines.

Amplifying concerns over eroding profit margins, Southwest said it planned to increase available seat miles by around five per cent this year, after boosting them by 3.6 per cent in 2017.

American said actual capacity growth would be close to three per cent this year. But Doug Parker, American’s chief executive, ‘tried to calm investor concerns’, saying his company was growing in a more disciplined way than in ‘the old days’ when US carriers expanded rapidly during upswings, putting on new capacity in the hope of winning share, but also driving down prices.  

Primera Air emerging as new force in European low-cost sector

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Last year was a record year for Primera Air, as the airline carried more than one million passengers for the first time. 

Sales on the airline’s website grew 125 per cent, while the company’s revenue increased 13.7 per cent compared to 2016.

As previously announced, Primera Air is opening new bases in Birmingham, Stansted, and Paris Charles de Gaulle to commence flights to New York, Boston and Toronto already this April, along with new routes from the UK to Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Barcelona and Chania.