LAN Airlines S.A. and its subsidiaries reported its preliminary monthly traffic statistics and punctuality indicators for December 2010. During December, system passenger traffic increased 13.7 percent as capacity rose 8.8 percent. As a result, the company’s load factor for the month increased 3.4 points to 80.1 percent. International passenger traffic accounted for approximately 71 percent of total passenger traffic.
Europe-based easyJet has signed a contract to buy a further 15 A320 aircraft and to convert an existing order for 20 Airbus A319s into the larger A320 model. The agreement is part of an order book which now totals 242 Airbus A320 Family aircraft, making easyJet one of the world’s largest customers for this type
Travelport has signed a new multi-year distribution agreement with Air Canada. At the same time, the GDS is pointing out that the carrier is an “industry leader” in ancillary services, which is at the core of a very public debate between airlines and GDSs over the future of airline distribution.
US Airways, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Airways Group, Inc., announced its intention to make an offering, subject to market and other conditions, of enhanced equipment trust certificates in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $340 million. The company intends to use the proceeds from the offering to refinance eight Airbus aircraft currently owned by US Airways and use the balance, if any, for general corporate purposes.
Air Canada will resume flights from the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in February, the country’s biggest airline said on Monday, initially offering service to Montreal. Air Canada said it will offer passengers up to 15 daily non-stop flights from the airport, which is located on an island minutes from Toronto’s downtown core, to Trudeau Airport in Montreal.
Chairman of the Board of Caribbean Airlines George Nicholas III made it clear earlier this week that his company intends to honor Air Jamaica and sees tremendous value in the brand. He went on to scotch speculation that Caribbean Airlines was no longer interested in acquiring Air Jamaica.