PlaneTalking's blog
The economic downturn will be far worse for airlines than previously forecast, marking only the second time in 35 years that traffic has fallen, IATA data show.
Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., the long-haul carrier controlled by billionaire Richard Branson, is slashing prices, offering London-New York round trips for as little as 259 pounds ($377), and may trim seats to ride out a slump in demand, Chief Executive Officer Steve Ridgway said.
Angola’s state-owned airline, TAAG, is losing $5 million a month because the European Union banned it from flying in its airspace, the Angola Press Agency said, citing company spokesman Rui Carreira.
The EU banned TAAG in July 2007, citing safety concerns, the Luanda-based news agency said on its Web site.
Etihad Airways flew more than six million passengers in 2008, a 34 per cent jump on 2007.
Police suspect two people were killed when a light aircraft crashed into a major railway line. Officers believe two people were aboard a single engine propellor aircraft that came down in Staffordshire.
The aircraft hit power lines above the West Coast Mainline between Rugeley and Stafford shortly before midday on Friday.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced results for November showing a 4.6% drop in international passenger traffic and a 13.5% drop in international cargo. International capacity dropped by 1.0%.
A sleek new aircraft nicknamed Dreamliner for its state-of-the-art features and technology was supposed to take off regularly from Detroit Metro Airport this spring, whisking passengers to Shanghai in style.
Rolls-Royce announced today that Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has chosen the Trent 700EP to power a further eight Airbus A330 aircraft.
British Airways has placed orders for a fleet of 11 fuel efficient aircraft for regional subsidiary BA CityFlyer.
Aer Lingus has confirmed plans to establish an international base at Gatwick for European flights.
Four aircraft will be based at the London airport in the first move of its kind away from Ireland and Northern Ireland.
