Bloomberg Airbus SE is preparing to announce jobs cuts at two troubled aircraft programmes that have been weighing on earnings for years. The planemaker’s management will meet with its European Works Council on Wednesday to explain reductions in the manufacturing rates of the A380 superjumbo and A400M military-transport programmes and “discuss associated implications for the workforce,†it said in a ...
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Airlines back a startup bringing friendliness back to the skies
Bloomberg Volantio Inc., the Atlanta-based startup that helped United Airlines Inc. manage its overbookings in the wake of the Dr. Dao scandal last summer, is telling investors it’s cracked a seemingly impossible code: generate more money for airlines while improving customer satisfaction. Eight months into its lifespan, the company—which helps airlines preventatively rejigger inventory by offering buyouts to flexible passengers—closed ...
Read More »Now, fly the best first-class seats cheaper than economy
Bloomberg Airline industry experts have been proclaiming the death of first class for years. While some airlines have done away with it altogether, others are doubling down with palatial suite-style seats, lavish amenities, and services that pamper, both on the ground and in the air. What’s ensued is a golden age of flying … for those who can afford it. ...
Read More »American Air’s spat with United threatens $8.5bn O’Hare revamp
Bloomberg American Airlines Group Inc. is crying foul over a planned $8.5 billion renovation of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, claiming a “secret provision†awards additional gates to United Continental Holdings Inc. in a terminal slated to be torn down. The arrangement favouring Chicago-based United was “inserted at the last minute,†American said. United called the claim “disingenuous,†denied there was ...
Read More »New Manila Airport bid challenged by $3bn offer
Bloomberg A venture of Megawide Construction Corp. and GMR Infrastructure Ltd. submitted a $3 billion proposal to upgrade and expand the Philippine capital’s 70-year-old airport, challenging a $6.7 billion bid from a group that includes billionaires John Gokongwei and Lucio Tan. The GMR-Megawide venture, which is operating and expanding another airport in central Philippines, said it can increase the airfield ...
Read More »Airbus may stock up on jet parts to avoid Brexit delays
Bloomberg Airbus SE may need to stock up on the parts it needs to build wings at its UK plants to avoid the risk of delays to deliveries once Britain formally leaves the European Union. The European planemaker has warned that it can only ensure the UK factories remain untouched if its operations retain the same level of efficiency. “If ...
Read More »Trump, Boeing reach $3.9 billion deal for new Air Force One plan
Bloomberg President Donald Trump reached an informal deal with Boeing Co. on a fixed-price contract for the new Air Force One programme that will cost $3.9 billion. White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said the agreement will save taxpayers $1.4 billion from the original estimate for buying and outfitting two presidential jets. But public estimates suggest the savings would be far ...
Read More »HNA-backed Virgin Australia ditches privatisation after years of speculation
Bloomberg Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd., the airline part-owned by HNA Group Co., ditched the idea of a privatisation to end years of speculation that major shareholders would attempt a buyout. After discussions with the airline’s largest investors, Virgin Australia’s board said it had decided against a privatisation. The carrier, which has a market value of A$2.2 billion ($1.7 billion), raised ...
Read More »FedEx says it will keep NRA discounts despite calls for boycott
Bloomberg FedEx Corp. is maintaining discounts for members of the National Rifle Association, even as calls for a boycott mount on social media after a deadly school shooting in Florida. The courier said it “has never set or changed rates for any of our millions of customers around the world in response to their politics, beliefs or positions on issues.†...
Read More »American Air, Qantas renew push for trans-Pacific venture
Bloomberg American Airlines Group Inc. and Australia’s Qantas Airways Ltd. aren’t taking no for an answer in their bid to deepen ties on flights across the Pacific. The carriers are asking US regulators a second time for permission to coordinate fares and schedules, revamping an earlier request in response to concerns that the combination would hurt competition. American and Qantas ...
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