617 replies to this topic

[Jaime]

January 11

• AirTran commenced hostile takeover of Midwest Air Group with offer of $13.25 per share, consisting of $6.625 in cash and 0.5884 shares of AirTran common stock...
  ...The total equity value of the exchange offer, scheduled to expire on February 8, is $345m.
• Airbus appointed Didier Evrard as Head of the A350 Program...
  ...He was formerly with missile manufacturer, MBDA, where he led the MBDA Product Lines Directorate together with MBDA France since 2002.
• Delta's Unofficial Committee of Unsecured Claimholders has called upon the airline to provide thoughtful and unbiased consideration to US Airways' enhanced offer to merge.
• Aircastle Advisor LLC appointed Michael Platt as Chief Investment Officer and Peter Chang as Executive Vice President, Marketing...
  ...Platt, who is President-Elect of ISTAT, has been with ILFC for 15 years, and Chang was formerly with Aviation Capital Group, Boullioun and GPA.
• Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation (ABSC) was selected by Adam Aircraft as sole source supplier of wheels and brakes for the A700 AdamJet.
• WestJet finalized term sheet with Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE) to lease two new 737-700s for delivery in July and August 2009.
• Turkish Airlines ordered 24 more shipsets (now 27) of 737-800 blended winglets from APB for installation by Turkish Technic in Istanbul.
• Lufthansa Technical Training and Hainan Airlines are establishing mechanic training facility at Meilan Airport.
• UK's Monarch Airlines named Tim Jeans to the newly created position of Managing Director, with responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the airline.
• Lufthansa Technik named Bernhard Conrad as new Chief Technology Officer.
• Stork Fokker AESP has Boeing contract to supply 747-8 inboard flaps.
• Rolls-Royce has LOI from Singapore Airlines to maintain Trent 800s at SAESL for 58 777s.

[Jaime]

January 12

• Northwest Airlines filed its Plan of Reorganization.
• SR Technics announced that it will not proceed with acquisition of 60% stake in Empire Aero Center...
  ...It had signed MOU in April 2006.
• Republic Airlines has 11-year Frontier Airlines contract to provide and operate 17 76-seat EMBRAER 170s for regional services...
  ...The aircraft are expected to be placed into service between March 2007 and December 2008.
• DaimlerChrysler is expected to sell its 7.5% stake in EADS to an investor group that includes as many as 12 institutions led by KfW, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank and Goldman Sachs...
  ...German states Hamburg, Bremen and Lower Saxony are interested in joining consortium.
• Continental Airlines contributed another $71m to its pension plans, and has now contributed nearly $1.2b since the beginning of 2002.
• Cargolux agreed to wet-lease a 747-400F from Air Atlanta Icelandic for three years.
• NetJets named James Christiansen as President of NetJets Aviation.
• JetWorks Leasing arranged sale of 737-300 (leased to PLUNA) from PLM Financial Services to Deutsche Bank Equipment Leasing, concluding the orderly liquidation of all of PLM's aviation assets.
• ST Aerospace Supplies has 10-year, US$130m AirAsia contract to provide A320 component maintenance on Maintenance-By-the-Hour basis.
• Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings began distribution of 406,464 shares of common stock to claimholders and certain subsidiaries under its Joint Plan of Reorganization.
• Goldman Sachs and Babcock & Brown acquired stakes in Turkish airport operator TAV.
• Russia's UTAir purchased two ex-Alitalia Express ATR 42-300s from Nordic Aviation Contractor.

[Jaime]

January 13

• Northwest filed its Plan of Reorganization with US Bankruptcy Court after completing its three key objectives: It removed $2.4b in annual costs, restructured fleet and entered into new aircraft purchase agreements, and significantly strengthened balance sheet...
  ...It plans to raise exit equity financing via an equity rights offering and possibly obtaining additional new equity capital from one or more private equity investors, and emerge from Chapter 11 in 2Q07.
• Boeing completed first air transport (Nagoya-Charleston) of 787 assemblies on 747-400LCF Dreamlifter...
  ...Load consisted of Section 43 (forward fuselage section) made by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and section 11/45 (center wheel well and center wing tank) made by KHI and Fuji Heavy Industries and joined at FHI...
  ...Boeing also rolled out the second 747-400LCF at Evergreen Aviation Technologies in Taipei.
• SR Technics announced that it will not proceed with acquisition of 60% stake in Empire Aero Center...
  ...It had signed MOU in April 2006.
• Delta's pilots union reiterated its 100% opposition to US Airway's merger proposal.
• Western Airlines plans January 18 startup of Bellingham, WA-LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) with 150-seat 737-400.
• Eurostar, the high-speed passenger train service linking the UK with France and Belgium, carried 7.86m travelers in 2006, up 5.4% over 2005.

[Jaime]

January 15

• NetJets Aviation and NetJets Europe ordered 48 Hawker 750s and 900XPs for delivery from 2007-2012.
• Intrepid Aviation Group signed LOI to order 20 A330-200Fs for delivery from early 2010.
• GE agreed to purchase UK-based Smiths Aerospace (>11,000 employees; $2.4b in revenues in 2006) for $4.8b in cash...
  ...Smiths products include flight management systems, airborne platform computing systems, power generation, conversion and distribution products, actuation products and systems for flight control, thrust reversers and landing gear applications, various engine components and a global customer services organization.
• GE and Smiths Group also announced that they are forming UK-based Smiths GE Detection through integration of GE Security's Homeland Protection business and Smiths Detection.
• British Airways' GMB Union (baggage handlers and ground staff) rejected airline's latest proposal to overhaul its New Airways Pension Scheme and reduce GBP2.1b deficit...
• ...Its Transport & General Workers Union (cabin crew) voted to authorize a strike as a protest against the airline's policies and new pension agreement...
• The Association of European Airlines says member passenger traffic increased 5.3% in November 2006 vs November 2005, surpassing the 5% level for the first time since June 2006.
• Research and Markets reports that the market share of low-cost carriers in Europe reached 16.3% in May 2006, 2.4% higher than in May 2005.
• Turbomeca received EASA certification for Arrius 1A1 engine to power the Eurocopter AS355 NP helicopter...
  ...It expects to deliver 30 engines in 2007.
• Macquarie Airports Group and Dublin Airport Authority are exploring the disposal of their combined 48.25% interest in Birmingham International Airport (BHX).
• Brazil's GOL is marking its sixth anniversary of operations...
  ...It currently operates 65 737s on over 600 daily flights to 55 destinations, including seven international routes to five countries in South America.
• Thai Airways said it expected net profit for 2006/2007 to increase 11% to THB10 billion baht (USD$278.6 million) vs THB8.99 billion (USD$250.3 million) in 2005/2006.
• Hapagfly and Hapag-Lloyd Express began operating as TUIfly following merger announcement made in late 2006.

[Jaime]

January 16

• Airbus launched the A330-200F with an order from India's Flyington Freighters for six and an LOI from US-based Intrepid Aviation Group for 20.
• Embraer delivered 130 aircraft in 2006: 12 ERJ 145s, 36 E170s, 11 E175s, 41 E190s, three E195s, and 27 Legacy business jets.
• Triumph Group acquired Texas-based Grand Prairie Accessory Services, a provider of overhaul, repair and testing services for aircraft engines and airframe accessories.
• AAR acquired Reebaire Aircraft, a regional aircraft MRO operation located in Hot Springs, AR.
• Canada's Aerofoam Metals signed a proprietary information agreement with Boeing to explore areas of joint opportunity using its Aerometal material.
• Volvo's Aero-Craft subsidiary delivered its first GE90 fan case.
• NetJets ordered 48 Hawker 750s and 900XPs for delivery from 2007-2012.
• SkyWest anticipates 4Q06 net income will be approximately $28.5m-$32.3m.
• Cessna is building a Citation Service Center at Williams Gateway Airport in Mesa, AZ, and relocating tooling and employees from Long Beach, CA.
• Singapore Changi Airport reported that it handled record 35.03m passengers in 2006, up 8% from 2005.
• Italy's Air One converted options for four CRJ900s, increasing its order to 10.

[Jaime]

January 17

• Airbus reports that it booked 824 new orders in 2006: four A318s, 253 A319s, 312 A320s, 104 A321s, 104 A330s, 15 A340s, 15 A350s and 17 A380s...
  ...It delivered 434 worth about 26b euro: eight A318s, 137 A319s, 164 A320s, 30 A321s, nine A300 Freighters, 62 A330s, and 24 A340s.
• EADS says Airbus Division will probably deliver a negative EBIT contribution for CY06.
• AMR Corporation reported $17m net income for 4Q06 (vs $600m loss in 4Q05) on 4.4% higher revenues...
  ...For CY06, it had $231m net income on $22.6b revenues vs $857m net loss on $20.7b in CY05.
• Southwest Airlines reported $57m net income for 4Q06 (vs $70m in 4Q05) on 14.5% higher revenues...
  ...For CY06, it had $499m net income (its 34th consecutive year of profitability) on $9.1b revenues vs $484m on $7.6b in CY05.
• Thai Airways International is denying any interest in selling its stake in Nok Air.
• Israel's Israir agreed to sublease two A320s from Latcharter, a Latvian charter airline owned by Loftleidir-Icelandic.
• Japan Airlines says it plans to introduce 737-800s on international routes from Osaka to strengthen its product and increase profitability...
  ...It is also adding "Premium Economy" to intl. service and "First Class" on domestic routes.
• Viva International completed its acquisition of Texas-based River Hawk Aviation (River Hawk).
• Singapore's SilkAir appointed Chin Yau Seng as new CEO. He was VP-Planning and Fuel of Singapore Airlines.
• US-based Spirit Airlines named David W. Lancelot as CFO, replacing John Severson.

[Jaime]

January 18

• Virgin America responded to the US DOT -- in effort to obtain an AOC -- with a comprehensive reply that revealed sweeping changes designed to address concerns about its ownership and control...
  ...As part of plan, Virgin Group has agreed to drop a Board seat (now has two of eight) and relinquished veto or consent rights.
• ST Mobile Aerospace Engineering has FedEx contract to convert up to 87 757-200s to freighters over the next seven years...
  ...The PTF conversion would be done on an STC developed and owned by ST Aerospace, based on data licensed from Boeing.
• Guggenheim Aviation Partners ordered six A330-200Fs for delivery starting in early 2010.
• Continental Airlines reported $26m net loss for 4Q06 (vs $43m loss in 4Q05) on 11% higher revenues...
  ...For CY06, it had $343m net income on $13.1b revenues vs $68m loss on $11.2b in CY05.
• Finnish Ministry of Defense is proposing that Finnair acquire A330 MRTTs for lease to the government for troop transport and emergency evacuations.
• Airbus delivered A320 with MSN #3000 to AirAsia, and confirmed plan to increase A320 Family production from current 30 per month to 36 by end of 2008, although it is reportedly considering going to 40.
• TAT Group's Sabena technics has acquired EADS Barfield.
• HSH Nordbank was commissioned by Cargolux to establish Freighter Leasing, a joint venture to finance cargo aircraft...
  ...The new JV will initially purchase three 747-400Fs from Cargolux and lease the aircraft back for 4-5 years each.
• L-3 Communications appointed Ralph G. D'Ambrosio as its new CFO.
• SAFRAN Group reported sales of 11.26b euro in 2006, up 6.4% vs 2005...
  ...Sales by its Aerospace Propulsion unit rose 12.9% to 5.1b euro, which included record orders for 2,121 CFM56s in 2006 vs 1,640 in 2005.
• Eltra Services Beijing was certified by FAA and CAAC for avionics maintenance/repair.

[Jaime]

January 19

• Pinnacle Airlines purchased Colgan Air, which operates 39 Saab 340s and 11 Beech 1900s as Continental Connection, United Express and US Airways Express, for about $20m.
• Pratt & Whitney -- in partnership with Seven Q Seven -- was selected by Northrop Grumman to supply JT8D-219 propulsion system for 19 USAF Joint STARS aircraft...
  ...Goodrich and The Nordam Group were selected as subcontractors.
• GE Aviation earned $2.9b on $13.2b revenues in 2006 vs $2.6b on $11.9b in 2005.
• Boeing unveiled interior for the 747-8 that applies architecture from 787 and features from 777, including same passenger windows that are larger than those on the 747-400.
• AirTran says that after careful review of Midwest Airlines' stand-alone plan, it is even more convinced its merger proposal is the right course for the stakeholders of both companies.
• Mexicana says it to plans invest up to US$2b over next three years to add 40 new aircraft to its fleet.
• British Airways and its cabin crew members (Transport & General Workers) are resuming talks to avert potential strike over a new pensions plan and work condition changes.
• Mexicana reached agreement with its ground workers (National Union of Transport, Manufacturing, Aviation, Service and Similar Workers) that is expected to save company about US$20m.
• Singapore's Tiger Airways carried record 1.2m passengers in 2006, up 75% vs 2005.
• UPS is expected to cancel its order for 10 A380 Freighters, according to media reports out of France.

[Jaime]

January 20

• India's Jet Airways had US$9m net profit on $458.7m revenues for third quarter ended December 31 vs $13.5m on $338.7m a year ago...
  ...System-wide traffic rose 32% to 3.18b RPKs on 33.3% higher capacity.
• Delta filed an application with the US DOT for authority to begin nonstop Atlanta-Shanghai in 2008 with a 777.
• Air-India and Singapore Airport Terminal Services are forming joint venture to set up a cargo handling facility in Bangalore.
• First Aviation Services appointed Bill Reznicek as Chief Financial Officer. He previously worked in automotive industry.
• Mexican airport operator ASUR appointed its Chairman, Fernando Chico Pardo, as Interim Chief Executive Officer. He owns 51% of ITA.

[Jaime]

January 22

• Northwest Airlines reached agreement with MAIR Holdings to acquire Mesaba Aviation, which will exit bankrutcy as an operating subsidiary of Northwest.
• Guggenheim Aviation Investment Fund, LP (GAIF) agreed to sell 38 aircraft -- managed by Guggenheim Aviation Partners -- worth about $1.6b to Aircastle Limited...
  ...Package includes four 747-400ERFs, seven converted 747-400Fs, one MD-11F, and 26 passenger aircraft, several of which are scheduled for freighter conversions.
• GECAS announced previously undisclosed order for 15 777s -- seven 777-300ERs and eight 777 Freighters -- and 24 737-800s, valued at approximately $5.34b at list prices.
• WestJet named Vito Culmone as Executive Vice President-Finance and CFO. He was formerly VP-Commercial Finance of Molson Canada.
• British Airways asked the conciliation service Acas to help avert a potential series of three 72-hour strikes by members of the T&G cabin crew union, scheduled to begin on January 29.
• Liebherr-Aerospace and Wuhan Hangda Aero Science & Technology Development established a component repair center in Wuhan, China.
• ATR opened a spare parts distribution center in Auckland, New Zealand...
  ...It is the fourth ATR warehouse worldwide, with others in Paris, Miami and Singapore.
• BCI Aircraft Leasing completed sale/leaseback deal with Alitalia for two A321s.
• Czech Airlines was selected by Transavia to perform 737NG heavy maintenance during 2007.
• Finnair in mid-2007 plans to quadruple its service to India from three to 12 weekly flights.
• Gulfstream named Herman Chai and Peter Hoi as new Regional Sales VPs for Asia. Both will be based in Hong Kong.

[Jaime]

January 23

• Wachovia downgraded Boeing stock based on its belief that commercial aircraft order cycle has peaked and its concerns regarding potential delays on 787 program.
• Northwest Airlines reached agreement with MAIR Holdings to acquire Mesaba Aviation, which will exit bankruptcy as an operating subsidiary of Northwest.
• GECAS announced previously undisclosed order for 15 777s -- seven 777-300ERs and eight 777 Freighters -- and 24 737-800s, valued at approximately $5.34b at list prices.
• UAL Corp reported net loss of $61m in 4Q06 (vs $16.9b loss in 4Q05) on 5% higher revenues...
  ...Since its emergence from reorganization, for the 11-months ended December 31, the new UAL reported net income of $25m, an improvement of $423m, excluding reorganization items, over the corresponding period of 2005.
• ELTA was selected by Boeing to supply its ELT (emergency locator transmitter) for 787.
• AMR Corp announced public offering of 13m new shares at $38.70 each.
• Spirit Airlines ordered 30 more A319s with V2500s.
• Goodrich reached agreement with GE to offer GEnx nacelle support for 787 as part of GE's OnPoint Solutions program.
• Pratt & Whitney earned $1.8b on $11.1b revenues in 2006 vs $1.5b on $9.3b in 2005.
• Finnair predicted it will post operating profit for 2006, but EBIT will be in the red due to high fuel bill.
• Midwest Airlines plans April 1 to begin 717 service to Sea-Tac, its 49th destination, as part of its 2007 strategic growth plan.
• Piaggio America named Eric Hinson as its new President and CEO, replacing Tom Appleton, who is retiring.
• Los Angeles World Airports says it contributed $590m to local economy in 2002-2005 by leasing space to the film industry.

[Jaime]

January 24

• Texas-based ExpressJet reported net income of $22.8m for 4Q06 (vs $24.9m in 4Q05) and $92.6m for full year 2006 (vs $98m in 2005)...
  ...It says it plans to use its 69 ex-Continental Express ERJs to start stand-alone operations to 24 cities in the West, Midwest and Southeast US (44 aircraft), operate corporate charters (15), and provide capacity for an undisclosed US regional (10).
• Pemco plans to pursue a public offering of 100% of its Commercial Services business on the AIM market in London.
• Gulfstream Aerospace agreed to acquire California-based WECO Aerospace Systems, which overhauls electrical components and instruments.
• BAE Systems made first flight of F-35 Lightning II avionics testbed, a modified 737-300 designated "CAT-Bird."
• AirTran is asking the New York State Supreme Court to order Midwest Air Group to release its shareholder list under state law.
• Qantas is reportedly negotiating to acquire a minority stake in Vietnam's Pacific Airlines.
• British Airways said its Transport and General Workers' Union canceled the first day -- January 29 -- of a planned 3-day cabin crew strike...
  ...Strikes are still scheduled for January 30-31, followed by 72-hour walk-outs beginning on February 5 and February 12.
• US-based Texas Pacific Group is expected to submit an expression of interest to the Italian government to acquire up to 49.9% of Alitalia.
• American's largest union, the Transport Workers Union of America, representing >27,000 ground workers including aircraft mechanics, announced plans to open contract negotiations with the airline in November.
• Jet Aviation Basel has contract from Saudi Arabia's Saad Group for VVIP completion of an A340-600 starting in April 2008.
• US Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee plans today to hold hearings on "The State of the Airline Industry: the Potential Impact of Airline Mergers and Industry Consolidation."

[Jaime]

January 25

• ATR reports that it booked orders for 63 new aircraft in 2006 and delivered 24 (vs 15 in 2005)...
  ...Its backlog increased 40% to 124 aircraft at end of 2006, and it plans to deliver 44 new aircraft in 2007 and more than 60 in 2008.
• British Airways says talks with TGWU have broken down in effort to avert cabin crew strikes planned for January 30-31, February 5-7 and February 12-14.
• Turkey's MNG Airlines signed MOU to order two recently launched A330-200Fs, plus one option.
• Pratt & Whitney has 20-year Northwest Airlines contract to maintain its PW2000s (757s) and PW4168As (A330s).
• Midwest Air Group Board again rejected AirTran's merger offer, so AirTran is urging Midwest stockholders to tender their shares as sign of support for deal...
  ...Midwest reported profits of $3.6m for 4Q06 (vs $13.8m loss in 4Q05) and $5.4m for 2006 (vs $64.9m loss in 2005).
• Alaska Air Group lost $52.6m on $3.3b revenues in 2006 vs $5.9m loss on $3b revenues in 2005.
• UK's Silverjet began operations of all-business class service (767-200) between London Luton and Newark, touting itself as world's first carbon neutral airline.
• Airbus says it surpassed 5,000 orders for its A320 Family with this week's order by Spirit for 30.
• Aviation Information Resources is forecasting that US airlines will hire 8,510 pilots in 2007 vs 8,256 in 2006.
• Messier Services Asia has Korean Air contract for landing gear overhaul for 19 A330s.
• ANA plans to configure one of its 737-700ERs in 36-seat, all-business class, to operate Tokyo Narita-Mumbai, India.
• Lockheed Martin had $2.5b net profit on $39.6b sales in 2006 vs $1.8b on $37.2b in 2005.
• Rockwell Collins had $143m net income on $993m revenues in first quarter ended Dec 31 vs $104m on $881m a year ago.
• Brazil's TRIP Linhas Aereas ordered seven ATR 72-500s, and optioned five.
• Boeing has shelved plan to use wireless IFE system on 787.
• TRAX USA was selected by Air Astana, Kazakhstan (59th customer) for Septimo 3 version of its maintenance and engineering software.

[Jaime]

January 26

• Honeywell Aerospace earned $1.9b on $11.1b sales in 2006 vs $1.7b on Z$10.5 in 2005, driven by 10% growth in Commercial and 6% growth in Defense and Space sales...
  ...Commercial sales reflected growth of 14% in original equipment and 7% in aftermarket spares and services.
• AirTran Holdings reported net loss of $3.3m in 4Q06 (vs $386,000 profit on 4Q05) and $15.5m profit in 2006 (vs $8.1m profit in '05).
• Frontier Airlines lost $14.4m on $266m revenues in third quarter ended December 31 vs $10.3m loss on $247m a year ago...
  ...It is expanding service in 29 markets during its upcoming summer schedule that starts in late March.
• Varig lost authority for 119 of its 270 domestic routes in Brazil after failing to meet Jan 14 deadline to operate them all.
• CAE inaugurated four-bay expansion of its Burgess Hill training center for Falcon 900EX EASy, 2000EX EASy and 7X training programs...
  ...It also announced plans for another four-bay expansion.
• SR Technics has contract from Saudi startup Sama to provide APU support services at Dublin for up to 34 737-300s over next five years.
• AeroRepublica took delivery of its first four EMBRAER 190s, which will gradually replace its MD-80s.
• AWAS says it secured 53 lease transactions in 2006.
• Airbus says it has completed rewiring the first A380 to be delivered to Singapore Airlines in October 2007.
• Air Transport World named ANA as its Airline of the Year for 2007 and Horizon Air as its Regional Airline of the Year.

[Jaime]

January 27

• DamilerChrysler sold its A319CJ charter business -- DaimlerChrysler Aviation -- to ATON GmbH; price was not disclosed.
• Northrop Grumman reported that income from continuing operations for 2006 increased 13% to $1.6b from $1.4b in 2005.
• Turbomeca broke ground on new 30m-euro, 57,750 sq meter engine manufacturing facility in Bordes for completion in 2008.
• Boeing delivered a 737-800 to China United Airlines, marking the first delivery of a new 737 to the airline.
• Mesa is expected by mid-2007 to add a sixth 50-seat CRJ200 to its go! operation in Hawaii...
  ...It has delayed plan to add 90-seaters to the go! fleet.

[Jaime]

January 29

• British Airways announced that successful negotiations have thwarted planned January 30-31, February 5-7 and February 12-14 cabin crew strikes...
  ...It plans to reinstate as many pre-canceled flights as possible.
• Airbus booked new orders for one each A340-500 VVIP and A340-300 VVIP from unidentified customers...
  ...Plus, The Royal Air Force of Oman ordered two A320 Corporate Jets.
• US Airways said it is willing to increase its offer to merge with Delta by up to $1b, according to media reports.
• Japan Airlines Group completed review of domestic passenger operations, and is cutting unprofitable routes and adjusting supply to demand through frequency reductions and additions.
• Air China selected CFM56-5Bs for 24 new A321s on order in engine deal valued at $345m.
• The Air Group has broken ground on new private terminal, which includes 86,000 sq ft of hangar space, at Van Nuys, CA.
• Siemens was awarded $50.8m contract to provide new baggage handling system with integrated explosive detection screening at LAX's Tom Bradley Intl. Terminal.

[Jaime]

January 30

• IATA reports that global passenger growth was 5.9% in 2006, down from 7.6% growth in 2005.
• Italian government received interest from 11 potential bidders, but not Air France-KLM, for at least 30.1% of Alitalia.
• Delta obtained commitments for $2.5b exit financing facility.
• US Airways Group reported net profits of $12m for 4Q06 and $304m for full year 2006...
  ...As of December 31, it had $3b in total cash and investments, of which $2.4b was unrestricted.
• AAR added Rono Dutta, former President of United Airlines and Air Sahara, as a Senior Advisor for company activities in India.
• M&B Conversions is being formed by IAI Bedek and Mitsui & Co. to perform 767-300 pax-to-freighter conversions.
• Saudi Arabia's National Air Services ordered 20 Hawker 750s for delivery starting in 4Q07.
• Russia's Sky Express began low-cost operations from Moscow with two 737s.
• Azerbaijan Airlines ordered four ATR 72-500s and two ATR 42-500s for 2007-2008.
• Qantas ordered two more Q400s for January 2008.
• UPS reported net profits of $1.1b for 4Q06 and $4.2b for full year 2006, and says it expects good year in 2007 despite "slowing US economy."
• JetBlue reported $17m net profit for 4Q06 and $1m loss for full year 2006.
• Brazil's GOL reported net profits of R$92.7m for 4Q06 and R$569.1m for full year 2006...
  ...Its market share in Brazil for regular domestic and intl. air service at end of 4Q06 was 37% and 13% respectively.
• Saab Aircraft Leasing reports that it completed 58 aircraft transactions -- 18 Saab 2000s and 40 Saab 340s -- in 2006 vs 32 in 2005.
• Panasonic Avionics was selected by ANA to supply wired eX2 IFE system for its 787s.
• Czech Republic took delivery of its first of two ACJs.
• GAMCO was approved by Aviation Partners Boeing as authorized winglet installation facility.

[Jaime]

January 31

• US Airways withdrew its offer to merge with Delta Air Lines.
• The Boeing Company reported net profits of $989m in 4Q06 (vs $460m in 4Q05) and $2.2b for full year 2006 (vs $2.6b for 2005)...
  ...It increased its backlog during year by 22% to record $250b...
  ...Boeing Commercial Airplanes earned $2.7b on $28.5b revenues for full year 2006 vs $1.4b on $21.4b in 2005.
• USAF issued RFP for KC-X Program to replace fleet of refueling tankers.
• Virgin America unveiled its first six planned destinations to be served within nine months after startup: San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas and Washington, DC...
  ...It has another 40 US cities under consideration.
• Bombardier says it is continuing to refine CSeries business plan, and now targets entry into service at 2013...
  ...It is considering increasing use of composites for wing and fuselage.
• Slovak Airlines was forced to shut down after majority owner Austrian Airlines Group was unable to grant additional financial support due to government restraints.
• ANA posted net profit of 42.6b yen on 1,130b yen revenues for nine months ended December 31, its highest ever net profit and revenue recorded for nine-month period.
• Fedex Express acquired Indian express company PAFEX.
• Gulf Air named Crossair/Swissair CEO Andre Dose as President and CEO.
• FAA plans to propose raising mandatory retirement age for US airline pilots from 60 to 65.
• Teal Group forecasts production of 42,499 civil/military aircraft worth $1,253b in 2007-2016.
• Comlux ordered two more A318 Elites, and has now ordered five with its first now being outfitted by Lufthansa Technik.
• Mexico's ALMA agreed to lease five used CRJ200s from Bombardier Aerospace.
• Boeing Business Jets unveiled 787 VIP interior concept at the Middle East Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition in Dubai.

[Jaime]

February 1

• AirTran extended to March 8 its exchange offer for Midwest shares...
  It also says it plans to nominate three Directors -- including former Atlas CEO Jeff Erickson -- for Midwest Board.
• Seattle-based Esterline Corporation has agreed to acquire CMC Electronics for $335m cash to expand the scale of its existing Avionics & Controls business.
• Chile's LAN Airlines is providing $17.1m in loans to the New Varig.
• Raytheon reported net profits of $365m for 4Q06 (vs $276m in 4Q05) and $1.3b for full year 2006 (vs $871m in 2005).
• oneworld announced that JAL, Royal Jordanian and Malev will all become members of the alliance on April 1.
• LIAT and Caribbean Star have implemented a combined flight schedule throughout the region.
• EADS and Northrop Grumman joint venture was selected by German MOD to develop the Euro Hawk unmanned signals intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system.
• Goodrich reported net profits of $98.9m for 4Q06 (vs $69.6m in 4Q05) and $482.1m for full year 2006 (vs $263.6m in 2005), and it increased its outlook for 2007.
• NAYSA of the Canary Islands ordered two more ATR 72-500s for 2007, and has now ordered six.

[Jaime]

February 2

• British Airways posted an operating profit of GBP129m for third quarter ended December 31 vs GBP176m a year ago...
  ...It converted options to orders for four A320s for delivery from 2008, and now has 10 A320s and four A321s on order.
• Air Europa, COPA and Kenya Airways agreed to join the SkyTeam alliance.
• Cessna delivered the 1,000th CitationJet since certification in October 1992.
• CAE plans to establish a training facility in Bangalore, India.
• Pratt & Whitney has order to provide UK-based MK Airlines with 36 JT9D durability kits for its 747 Freighters.
• Kellstrom Industries was selected by Alitalia Maintenance Systems to provide overhauled/new surplus CF6-50 parts.
• Prism Business Media, owners of SpeedNews, purchased Penton Media, owners of Air Transport World (ATW)...
  ...The combined company, which will adopt the Penton Media name, is co-owned by Wasserstein & Co. and MidOcean Partners.