Boeing settles $3.7B Russian 737 order

Boeing Co. said it’s settled an order for 50 737s with Russian state agency State Corporation Rostechnology.

The order is prized at $3.7 billion at list prices. The order also comprises purchase rights for an additional 35 737s.

According to the Chicago aerospace giant (NYSE: BA), Boeing has a joint venture with the State Corporation Rostechnology.

The order comprises 15 737-700s, 25 737-800s and 10 737-900 comprehensive range airplanes, which are all built at Boeing’s Renton plant.

Emirates enhance operations to Saudi Arabia

Emirates will precede its existing operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with an extra 10 services per week to Riyadh and Jeddah, underscoring the raised economic ties between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

With a 71 percent raise in operations and a 75 percent raise in overall passenger capacity, the new services will further improve business and leisure trade between the two Arab nations.

From 31st October, Riyadh will get five additional services per week, taking its weekly service to 12 flights. From 2nd January 2011 Jeddah will get five additional services, taking its weekly operation to 12.

"Religious based travel to Saudi Arabia persists to grow exponentially each year, with these additional flights set to add a few much required capacity for inbound traffic," said Ahmed Khoory, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East and Iran.

The extra services to Riyadh will be serviced by an Airbus A330-200 with 12 First Class seats, 42 Business Class seats and 183 economy class seats. Jeddah will profit from a second A380 service with capacity to seat 517 passengers in a three class configuration.

Emirates remains devoted to the Saudi market with a total of 38 flights per week to four cites including; Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Al Medinah al Munawarah.

AI Express to begin budget domestic flights

Air India's international low-cost carrier (LCC), AI Express, is planning to commence budget domestic flights from next March, connecting metros like Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata with tier II cities in the initial phase.

Though, these flights will begin from Delhi only from next winter. The lag is due to the fact that the airline expects to obtain its pilots trained for taking off and landing in dense fog by that time. Budget fliers from Mumbai will also have to stay as the airline has determined to cancel its only foreign flight out of the city.

The much-maligned LCC is also annoying to alter its image by renaming itself as Express India and shifting headquarters from Mumbai to Cochin as a majority of its 204 weekly flights function from the south.

In another large alteration, its all-economy configuration Boeing 737-800 aircraft will acquire eight business-class seats in the two front rows in the place of 18 budget seats. Termed super economy, the fares for these eight seats will be twice the economy charges and the seats may also have in-flight amusement.

Aero says evacuation of passengers pursued safety standards

Aero Contractors Airlines said, on Monday, that the evacuation of passengers from one of its aircraft that caught fire on Sunday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, followed globally recognized safety procedures.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some passengers on the flight, from Port Harcourt to Lagos, continued injuries when the airline's Boeing 737 aircraft landed and caught fire.

The airline, in a report by its Media Consultant, Simon Tumba, said that the evacuation was carried out after the aircraft had landed securely in Lagos. "The evacuation was ordered by the captain following globally recognized safety actions after-on-board smoke detectors were activated," he said.

"We currently consider that this was due to dampness and warm air mixing in the cabin forming a smoke-like vapour. As the crew could not be 100 percent certain that the vapour was safe after landing, all the 84 passengers were evacuated to the tarmac where they were moved to the airport terminal in a bus."

Mr Tumba also added that Aero was in stable touch with the passengers, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, and other regulatory bodies in line with international operating procedure.

Delta put off Boeing 787 deliveries to at least 2020

Delta Air Lines has delayed its Boeing 787 Dreamliner deliveries awaiting 2020 to 2022, the company reported Monday.

Delta inherited the order for 18 787-8 aircraft when it took over Northwest Airlines, and previous reports had recommended it might cancel the order.

On Monday, the airline said it reached an agreement with Boeing last month to reaffirm the order while deferring the deliveries, which were formerly set for 2008 to 2010. Boeing itself has frequently delayed delivery of the first 787 to commence customer All Nippon Airways, and that delivery is currently set for the middle of the first quarter of 2011.

Asked about Delta's filing, Boeing spokesman Jim Proulx said: "We are delighted that Delta's reaffirmed its commitment to the 787," adding it would unsuitable to comment further on any customer discussions.

Also Monday, Delta reported that it has approved to sell the four 737-800 aircraft it has on order with Boeing to third parties instantly after delivery.

Southwest Airlines pilots earn increase through company profitability

Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA) yesterday announced it has received official notice from the airline that its pilots will obtain a 3% increase due to the company's profitability.

The raise is part of a negotiated profitability-based contract which ties in the achievement of the company with any pay raises pilots may receive.

When the contract was originally valued during negotiations a 0% raise was seen as probable due to the company's recital at the time and the economy.

The wage boost for the pilots comes as a surprise and is seen as a positive sign of a changing economic climate.

United, Continental Report Profits on recovering Travel Demand

United Airlines and Continental Airlines posted third-quarter profits among improving business- travel demand that is letting them charge more for tickets.

United said profit not including some items was $473 million, or $2.12 a share and Continental’s profit was $367 million, or $2.24 a share.

Rebounding travel demand is allowing the carriers to increase fares while keeping planes full. The carriers combined in October in an all-stock deal to form Chicago-based United Continental Holdings Inc., surpassing Delta Air Lines Inc. as the world’s major airline.

“As we incorporate the two networks and make the world’s leading airline, we will offer even more value to our customers,” Chief Revenue Officer Jim Compton said today in a report.

United’s revenue grows 22 percent to $5.39 billion and Analysts anticipated $5.41 billion. Continental’s revenue advanced 19 percent to $3.95 billion and Analysts estimated $3.91 billion, on average.

United had been the third-biggest carrier in the U.S. previous to the $3.47 billion merger and Houston-based Continental was No. 4.

Vietnam Airlines passengers wounded on Paris flight

A Vietnam Airlines flight to Paris lurched violently in flight on Wednesday, causing 24 of those on board to endure injuries ranging from bruises to broken bones, French authorities said.

It might have been some type of air pocket, a Paris airport official said, while authorities said the precise nature of the turbulence and the cause of the injuries had yet to be resolute.

Eight of those on board were taken to the Robert Ballanger hospital in the northern suburbs of Paris, while others were treated by fire crews previous to being brought to the airport's clinic to be examined.

Of those injuries, 22 were passengers and two were crew members. Vietnam Airlines was not instantly available for comment.

British Airways Orders Two additional Embraer 190s for BA CityFlyer

British Airways has transformed two options on two Embraer 190 regional jets into firm orders.

The aircraft will be functioned by BA CityFlyer, British Airways’ wholly owned regional contributory, on routes from London City Airport (LCY).

Delivery of the two Embraer 190s to BA CityFlyer (BACF) is intended for the first quarter of 2011. At that point the carrier will be in service a total of 13 E-Jets, six Embraer 170s and seven Embraer 190s.

“We are chiefly arrogant to see BA CityFlyer persist building its fleet of E-Jets,” says Paulo César de Souza e Silva, Embraer’s executive vice president, airline market. “The flexibility and wide range of benefits that the E-Jets platform can offer are obviously being put to good use out of London City Airport by BACF.”

The two additional aircraft will facilitate British Airways to enlarge its route network from LCY, as well as new service to Stockholm-Arlanda Airport (ARN) in Sweden, which has stringent noise restrictions. BA CityFlyer will organize its new Embraer 190s with 98 seats.

JetBlue cuddles New York Jets

At a ceremony Friday, JetBlue revealed the aircraft, an A-320 with green trim and "NY Jets" written in large green Jets script on the fuselage.

"We play in the similar backyard, with New York as our home turf," said JetBlue CEO Dave Barger, in a prepared statement. "We have varied, loyal fans that imagine more of us than [of] the other guys, and we bring on our brand promise." Throughout a fresh interview, Barger rattled off the names of many of the players on the 1969 Super Bowl winning team.

JetBlue also unveiled a promotion with MasterCard (MA_) that will refund select fares for customers, with details to be announced later.

The ceremony Friday at New York's Kennedy Airport was go to by Jets CEO Woody Johnson, Curtis Martin, Emerson Boozer and other Jets alumni players.

United, Continental set up Reciprocal Seating

Mileage Plus and OnePass elite members have it made on United and Continental flights, where reciprocal seating benefits give numerous flyers with the best seat in the house.

On Continental flights, members can like domestic first-class upgrades, extra legroom seating and favorite seating, whereas on United, member passengers can benefit from infinite domestic first-class and business-class upgrades and Economy Plus seating.

Reciprocal preferred seating is the latest among the airline's loyalty programs. Further perks will be declared throughout the next few months, with full absorption of the programs set for 2012.

Qatar Airways open the fresh route Doha-Kuala-Lumpur-Phuket

Mr. Marwan Koleilat, the Senior Commercial Vice President for East Asia Southwest Pacific and his staff hosted a luxurious opening festivity at the VIP room of Phuket Airport for the first flight on the Doha-Kuala Lumpur-Phuket by Qatar Airways on October 12th.

This was the initial time that a flight by Qatar Airways landed at Phuket International Airport. Qatar Airways was the 31st airline to start its flights to Phuket. The first Doha-Kuala Lumpur-Phuket flight utilizes an Airbus A330-300 carrying 45 passengers, 2 captains, and 13 aircrew from Doha, KL to Phuket and the flight took 8 hours. The Airbus contains 30 seats in business class and 275 economy class seats.

In October, there would be a flight every day not including Monday and from November 1st 2010 to January 2011, there would be 7 flights a week. The Bangkok-Doha flight would be 3 times a day throughout this time as well. Thus, there would be 28 flights from Thailand on Qatar a week. Apart from the flight to Phuket, the airline also soon commences its new routes to Hanoi, Nice, Bucharest, Budapest, and Brussels.

United, Continental seating improves reciprocal

Some United and Continental passengers can at the moment use their miles for seating upgrades on either airline.

The airlines said Tuesday that elite members of the United loyalty program can obtain domestic first-class upgrades and preferred seats on Continental flights, and Continental elite members can acquire unlimited domestic first-class and business-class upgrades on United flights.

The announcement was made by United Continental Holdings Inc., produced when the two airlines joint this month.

The company said the reciprocal preferred seating was among the first benefits for frequent fliers as the two airlines merge their loyalty programs, a process that is predictable to be complete in 2012.

United Airlines begins to shift into a new Chicago area headquarters

United Airlines (Chicago) is stirring into headquarters. The first 280 United Airlines employees are moving into new offices as the company starts relocating its operations center in Elk Grove Village to its new location in Willis Tower. This is the first phase of the move of more than 2,500 people who at present work at the company's Elk Grove facility.

United at present plans to occupy 12 floors at Willis Tower, three more floors than the company originally announced in August of 2009.

United has been Chicago's "hometown airline" for more than 80 years and after the move to Willis Tower is complete, United be expecting to employ greater than 13,000 people in the city.

United anticipates moving more than 1,000 employees into Willis Tower by year end, and anticipates that the remaining moves will occur over the next 18 months.

CONTINENTAL AND UNITED JOIN TO BEAT DELTA

Two of the strongest American airlines have merged to become part of the United Continental Holdings Inc. Company in a bid to merge their strength in a very spirited market.

The great writer Orwell wrote about three large companies tending to remain in one given field as two never have the true power to squash a third one and have the tendency to struggle against each other. The 1984 phenomenon is surely being tested in the American airline industry where United and Continental have joined forces to compete against Delta Airlines.

The board of directors of United Continental Holdings Inc. consists of directors from both companies and the tendency is currently to consider that two heads are better than one. After the turmoil the airline industry as a whole has been through in modern times, this appears a brave move from both sides.

Delta’s brief spell on top shot in the American airline league has come to an end as the combined forces of the merging companies have an predictable number of departures at 5.800, whereas Delta is somewhat lagging behind with 5.715. The effect of the combination of both companies is estimated to bring an extra $1.2 billion in revenue per annum. The $3.2 billion merger should start to pay for itself in a very short time indeed.

It has also been stated that both of the merging parties expect that passengers will get used to the new company name very fast. Once this has been accomplished, United Continental Holdings Inc. has the possibility to become the world’s leading airline with Delta representing very little threat.

American Airlines' LAX-to-Shanghai nonstop flights agreed

In a swift turnaround, the U.S. Department of Transportation approved American Airlines' request to commence daily, nonstop flights between Shanghai and Los Angeles International Airport starting April 5, airline officials publicized Thursday.

American Airlines will be the only U.S. carrier to present nonstop service between Shanghai and Los Angeles, airline officials said. American's executives had now applied for the new route previous week.

Flights will be existing on Boeing 777 jetliners equipped with 16 first-class, 37 business-class and 194 economy-class seats.

"These new flights will enhance American's customer service offering to China and will enlarge American's schedule at Los Angeles International Airport, one of its five cornerstone cities," airline officials said in a written statement.

LAX is currently set to offer 39 new weekly overseas flights from November to April, according to airport officials.

Airline Penalties raise under Obama Administration

Fines obligatory against U.S. airlines are sky rocketing under the Obama administration as the Department of Transportation steps up its regulatory enforcement.

The DOT has almost doubled fines on the airline industry under the Obama administration in contrast with the last two years of Bush’s presidency, federal data shows.

Fines related to safety have also risen, increasing 66% year-over-year. The stern enforcements have gathered fans and critics.

Some say the new approach could depress airlines from self-reporting grave problems, while others say the new attitude can defend consumers and force airlines to stay on top of safety procedures.

American Airlines to recollect pilots, flight attendants

American Airlines on Wednesday said it is recalling hundreds of furloughed pilots and flight attendants after forming joint businesses with numerous other airlines.

American Airlines said it is distributes recall notices to 250 pilots and 545 flight attendants. This method will work in stages, with 225 flight attendants to be recalled this month, and the first wave of 25 pilots to be recalled in mid-November.

American said the recalls result from a just formed joint partnership with British Airways and the Spanish airline Iberia. Also, the airline said it has awaiting deal with Japan Airlines.

My trust is that trends similar to this will continue, said Gerard Arpey, chief executive of AMR (AMR, Fortune 500), the holding company for American Airlines.

The airline said that numerous new routes are opening up in April, as well as a London to San Diego route operated with British Airways and a Madrid to Los Angeles route operated with Iberia.

Virgin revokes flights to switch systems

Virgin Blue has cancelled numerous flights as its primary computer system comes back online today.

At least 50,000 people were stranded after Virgin's check-in system packed up two weeks ago.

The airline says the technical glitch has been set and the system is probable to be fully operational later today.

Virgin Blue spokeswoman Melissa Thompson says flight cancellations were piece of the switch.

“This is a planned outage so we've had a complete plane to revert back and surely we've communicated all changes to guests,” she said.

“And we don't predict, apart from weather-related delays, anymore delays to our customers.”

“On Saturday we started to converse with our customers that we planned to cancel for today.”

“We've accommodated them on other flights and they will leave within an hour of their original departure time.”

UK airline bmi starts new route to Libya

One of Britain's leading airlines, bmi, is to initiate a new, daily service from London to the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

The service, operated with an Airbus A319, will start on 1st December 2010 and is available to book from today. Flight BD469 will depart London Heathrow at 08:55hrs and land in Tripoli at 14.30hrs. Flight BD470 will depart Tripoli at 15:15hrs, arriving at London Heathrow at 16:45hrs.

The Business Class cabin will present a full Business Class service, including hot meals with a British twist provided on all flights and a fully stocked bar service. The seating in the Business Class cabin will present a 2:2 configuration, with the middle seat kept free to offer more space to work or just to relax.

Customers in Economy will take pleasure in bmi's full service benefits such as free checked baggage to a total weight of 20kg and a complimentary food service as well as a hot breakfast and full bar service throughout the day.

Business Class customers and Diamond Club Gold and Silver members can take benefit of bmi's flagship international lounge, the Great British Lounge, at London Heathrow Terminal One. Star Alliance Gold members will also be presented complimentary lounge access.

Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, Chief Executive of bmi, said: bmi's new route to Tripoli increases our on hand services to and from cities of influence across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Our business customers in particular will discover the new, daily service provides them even more choice between the UK and Libya and offers suitable domestic and long haul connections via our Heathrow hub.

Prices from London Heathrow to Tripoli begin from £265 ($400) return, as well as all fees and taxes.

American Eagle Airlines commences Nonstop Service between New York LaGuardia and Minneapolis

American Eagle Airlines, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, today commenced four daily nonstop flights between New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Eagle flies the route by CRJ-700 jet aircraft, featuring Eagle's new First Class service.

"American Airlines is committed to given that more options and exceptional service to our customers in New York, and American Eagle plays a key role in that endeavor," said Art Torno, American's Vice President - New York. "These four daily flights to Minneapolis not only link two influential business centers, but also present customers suitable connections through New York to destinations throughout American's global network."

With the foreword of nine First Class seats on all of its CRJ-700 aircraft, Eagle currently offers a premium product with the similar level of outstanding service customers experience on American Airlines.