Aviation

  Bloomberg United Continental Holdings Inc. changed its policy on employee travel and will now ensure crews riding on its aircraft as passengers are booked at least 60 minutes before departure, according to a statement from the company. The change, issued Friday, came after the backlash created by a video showing a United passenger being pulled from his seat and ...

  Dubai / Emirates Business The Philippines’ leading airline, Cebu Pacific, offers a special all-in seat sale for its flights from Dubai to the Philippines. For as low as AED149 all inclusive, travelers from Dubai can fly non-stop to Manila from September 1 to March 31, 2018. The sale period runs from April 16 to April 22, or until seats ...

  Bloomberg Overbooking is a necessity for the airline industry, according to Azul SA Chief Executive Officer and JetBlue Airways Corp. founder David Neeleman. “There are a lot of no-shows,” Neeleman said at the New York Stock Exchange, shortly after Azul went public. Shares closed up 7.2 percent from their offering price in U.S. trading. “What would hurt the airlines ...

  FORT LAUDERDALE / AP Low-cost Spirit Airlines is the latest carrier to cut flights to Cuba. The Miramar-based airline began serving Havana on December 1 with twice-daily flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. But Spirit President and CEO Bob Fornaro said that “the costs of serving Havana continue to outweigh the demand for service.” The airline will reduce its ...

  Bloomberg Boeing Co.’s newest and largest 737 Max gunned down the runway and soared over the shore of Lake Washington, south of Seattle, on its way to an almost three-hour maiden flight. The latest model in Boeing’s best-selling jet family took wing five days ahead of schedule, during a week marking the 50th anniversary of the first 737 flight. ...

  ROME / AP Premier Paolo Gentiloni urged Alitalia workers to approve a compromise deal to relaunch Italy’s struggling flagship airline that was reached in last-ditch, government-mediated negotiations between unions and Alitalia management. The deal reached early on Friday reduces proposed job and salary cuts and calls for greater investment in the long-range routes that analysts say are critical for ...

  ROME / AP European turboprop manufacturer ATR sealed a long-awaited deal with Iran Air worth $536 million at list prices, making it the latest aerospace company to benefit after a nuclear accord eased international restrictions on trade with the Middle Eastern state. Iran Air will take 20 ATR 72-600 aircraft and has options for 20 more, ATR spokesman David ...

  Bloomberg Delta Air Lines Inc. increased the payouts its airport agents can offer passengers on overbooked flights, moving to prevent a public relations nightmare similar to the one plaguing United Continental Holdings Inc. Customer service agents will be able to offer passengers as much as $2,000 when they’re asked to give up a seat on an oversold flight, up ...

  Bloomberg Airbus SE’s expansion into Boeing Co.’s home market faces a potential setback as Delta Air Lines Inc. reviews a $14 billion purchase of the European planemaker’s two newest wide-body models. The Atlanta-based carrier, known as an influential and shrewd aircraft buyer, is studying its twin-aisle orders amid signs the long-range travel market is saturated, Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief ...

  Bloomberg Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. named Rupert Hogg as its chief executive officer, replacing Ivan Chu, as Asia’s biggest international airline struggles to revive earnings after reporting its first annual loss in eight years. Hogg, 55, chief operating officer since March 2014 and a 30-year veteran at parent Swire Group, will take over May 1, Hong Kong-based Cathay said ...