Archive for August, 2010

China Eastern launches Colombo and Malé

China Eastern Airlines will be launching service to Colombo, Sri Lanka and Malé, Maldives from today. The event turned out quite suprisingly given the very short notice at which the flight was announced. This is the first scheduled service to Sri Lanka by any Chinese carrier, and is the...

Changing the game

Note: From today onwards, you’ll see a slight change of direction in Airline Industry Review. This blog starting today, will focus more on airline management, rather than just breaking airline news. It doesn’t mean the news and analysis coverage will end – not at all. In fact, coverage will...

Aero Lanka to relaunch as Lankan Cargo

Colombo, Sri Lanka based cargo carrier Aero Lanka ( QL ) is to resume operations after a few years break as Lankan Cargo. The carrier had already leased a Boeing 727-200Adv F, TU-TAB ( MSN 20190/738 ), for the operations. Aircraft Fact File Registration : TU-TAB MSN : 20190/738...

Boeing 787 EIS delayed by three months due to Trent 1000 failure

The Boeing Company today officially announced that it now expects the delivery of the first 787 only in middle of first quarter, 2011. The delivery date revision is followed by an assessment of a Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engine needed for the final phases of flight testing. The Trent...

V Australia and Virgin Blue announces network restructure – Drops Africa, Thailand, DJ adds A330s

Virgin Blue Group today announced the second phase of its network restructuring plan, under the leadership of CEO John Borghetti. Key Points are as follows - Virgin Blue to add two A330-200 aircraft to its domestic fleet - V Australia to launch new thrice weekly Abu Dhabi route from...

Saudi Arabian LCC Sama Ceases Operations

Saudi Arabia based low cost airline Sama has announced the carrier will be ceasing operations from today, after the carrier reported a 1 billion riyal ( USD266m ) loss. The company had not been able to get government support. CEO Bruce Ashby also mentioned that they tried to find...

SriLankan to be Sold to SIA ?

A report on a trusted Sri Lankan newspaper, The Sunday Times, states that the island nation government is looking at selling a stake of SriLankan Airlines ( IATA:UL ) to Temasek Holdings, parent of Singapore Airlines ( SIA ). SriLankan has constantly been losing cash ever since it ended...

Miscommunicated 767 Landing accident at Harare turns out to be a non-event

UPDATE: The Airport Authority is now confirming there wasn’t any accident. It is not clear why the CEO decided to create a false alarm. He later stated that he deliberately misinformed the media stating a Boeing 767 aircraft from London had crashed on landing. The events started with Harare...

Mexicana Files for Bankruptcy

Mexicana Airlines, already financially struggling and having some of its aircraft seized, filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy on Monday. Mexicana, having also sought protection from the Mexican alternative of American Chapter 11 bankruptcy, filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 15 in a New York court to protect its assets from...