A combination of temporary factors—the timing of the Lunar New Year, alongside strong air passenger growth a year earlier—caused the global air passenger market to show only 4.6% year-over-year (YOY) growth in January, its slowest rate since March 2014, according to IATA’s January Air Passenger Market Analysis.
While there was a lot of talk of progress at the World ATM Congress here, including regarding drone traffic management and space-based aircraft tracking, NATO cautioned that security and military concerns need to be considered by air navigation service providers (ANSPs).
US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) head David Pekoske offered a broad outline for a new TSA strategy emphasizing “better tools, better procedures and better training” to stop “adversaries [who] are continuously evolving their tactics.”
Global mobile satellite communications provider Inmarsat reported $1.4 billion in total group revenue for 2017, up 5.4% from 2016, largely on the strength of 36.7% growth in Inmarsat’s aviation sector, which includes its inflight connectivity (IFC) business. The aviation sector reported $195 million in total revenue for the year.
Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Co. (Gameco) is seeking to dramatically expand its workforce and hangar facilities to meet growing demand from its part-owner China Southern Airlines and other customers.
HNA Group, which is struggling to meet obligations to creditors, has secured local government investment in its subsidiary based at Urumqi in northwest China. The group is also negotiating for the city government of Beijing to increase its stake in Beijing-based Capital Airlines, according to an industry source close to HNA.
Despite rising challenges from other countries in Southeast Asia, Singapore’s MRO industry is still regarded as having valuable advantages and scope for growth.
Executives from leading aircraft engine OEMs stressed that the predicted maintenance demand for their products will continue to ensure a large role for independent MRO organizations.
A new cargo airline is in the process of being established in Changsha in south-central China, aiming particularly at the market for carrying imported seafood.
The third flight test aircraft in the Comac C919 program will fly this year, with the final three joining the development effort in 2019, the state manufacturer said.
Thailand-based LCC NokScoot intends to add its first Boeing 737s this year, which will allow the carrier to down gauge some of its lower-demand, widebody routes.
Ryanair said it had signed a union recognition agreement with Italian pilots’ union ANPAC as the process of formalizing its decision to recognize unions across Europe continues.
Boeing, Embraer and other potential stakeholders are working to complete joint-venture (JV) talks involving the two aircraft manufacturers "very soon," Embraer CEO Paulo Cesar Silva said, adding that he "can't say" what the timeline looks like.
WestJet, Canada’s second largest airline, made a surprise CEO change, announcing Gregg Saretsky was stepping down “effective immediately” after eight years leading the company.
BEIJING—Part of China’s monopoly aviation fuel supplier has threatened to cease supplying mainland Chinese airlines that are subsidiaries of cash-strapped HNA if the group’s airline holding company does not catch up on payments.
BRUSSELS—Airline CEOs attending the Airlines for Europe (A4E) Aviation Summit here believe there is scope for further European consolidation, with Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary predicting that “the next downturn is imminent.”
HANOI—Increasing demand for Boeing 777 and 787 work will be an important dynamic in the MRO industry this year, said Rahul Shah, a senior vice president predicts AAR Corp.
MADRID—DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung and technology supplier Frequentis signed a joint venture (JV) agreement at the World ATM Congress here to offer remote tower systems to customers worldwide.
