Thursday, 26 January 2012

IFALPA sources the following items from a wide variety of media and they may not necessarily represent the views of the Federation. Publication in The Daily News does not infer that IFALPA endorses the views expressed.

1.      Boeing sees profit rise 21 per cent, Commercial Airplanes revenue up 14 per cent

2.      Delta profits increase over 40 per cent in 2011 on strong revenue performance….

3.      ..While US sees profit fall 86 per cent

4.      Eurocopter boosts sales by 12 per cent

5.      Etihad buys 40 per cent stake in Air Seychelles, increases freighter fleet

6.      Piece of Aviation History

7.      Quote of the Day

8.      A Bit of Light Relief

Boeing sees profit rise 21 per cent, Commercial Airplanes revenue up 14 per cent

Boeing has reported a 21 per cent rise in profits last year, to $4 billion,  compared to 2010. Total revenues for the company grew seven per cent to $68.7 billion.

The Commercial Airplanes division (BCA) saw an increase of 14 per cent in revenues, to $36.1 billion, due to “higher delivery volume, increased services revenue and mix”.

Boeing predicts that it will deliver between 585 and 600 commercial aircraft this year. “This includes an expected 70 to 85 787 and 747-8 deliveries, of which approximately half are 787 aircraft. Commercial Airplanes' 2012 revenue is expected to be between $47.5 and $49.5 billion with operating margins between 8.5 and 9 percent”. It pointed out that the year’s production is already sold out. 

Delta profits increase over 40 per cent in 2011 on strong revenue performance….

Delta Air Lines has posted a net profit of $854 million for 2011, 44 per cent more than the previous year. The Atlanta based carrier said that a $3 billion increase in fuel costs was offset through its strong revenue performance and hedging programme.

Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer commented “Looking forward to 2012, we will continue our commitment to sustained profitability and superior returns by growing and diversifying our revenues, while taking a disciplined approach to capacity, costs and capital spending.”  Ed Bastian, Delta’s president, added “Our revenue momentum has continued into 2012, and we are currently seeing our January consolidated passenger unit revenues up 15 per cent year over year”.

..While US sees profit fall 86 per cent

US Airways reported a massive 86 per cent drop in profits last year, to $71 million. In 2010 the airline posted a profit of $502 million. Although total revenues reached $13.1 billion, a company record, operating expenses rose to $12.6 billion, up 13.5 percent “due primarily to a 40 percent increase in fuel expense”.

US Airways Group, Inc. Chairman and CEO Doug Parker stated “Passenger revenue, total revenue, and passenger revenue per available seat mile all set new Company records for both the fourth quarter and the full year. We also had our best fourth quarter ever in terms of operating reliability, including our best on-time performance, highest completion factor and lowest mishandled baggage ratio. Looking forward, we are encouraged by the continued strength in demand and believe US Airways is well positioned for success in 2012 and beyond”.

Eurocopter boosts sales by 12 per cent

Eurocopter achieved a record annual turnover last year when for the first time in its history it surpassed the €5 billion mark, reaching €5.4 billion, a growth of 12.5 per cent from the previous year. The increase was due to the delivery of 503 helicopters together with “enhanced support and services activities”.

The number of orders also picked up, with 457 net bookings, representing a value of €4.7 billion, compared to the 346 helicopters sold in 2010.

Highlights included the 1,000th Dauphin, which was received by Indian operator Pawan Hans; the 1,000th EC135, provided to the German ADAC automobile club and the 100th EC225, accepted by the Bristow Group.

Etihad buys 40 per cent stake in Air Seychelles, increases freighter fleet

Etihad Airways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Seychelles to acquire a 40 per cent stake in Air Seychelles “as part of a strategic partnership alliance initiative”.

Etihad explained that its investment of $20 million “will be matched by an equal capital injection from the Government of Seychelles. In addition, Etihad Airways will also provide a shareholder’s loan of $25 million to meet working capital requirements and support network development”.

Government minister Joel Morgan, described the deal as “a game-changing strategic partnership for us, establishing Air Seychelles on a sustainable growth trajectory and offering a realistic way forward for long-term commercial growth”. While James Hogan, Etihad’s President and CEO, said that the agreement “is consistent with our approach to expansion, which relies on the strength of strategic partnerships across the globe. The investment in the national carrier of Seychelles is a natural next step towards growing our operations in the increasingly important leisure markets of the Indian Ocean and Africa”.

Separately the UAE flag carrier announced that it has ordered two more A330-200Fs, worth $423 million at list prices, to add to the two it already operates in its freighter fleet.

Piece of Aviation History for January 26

1911 -  In San Diego Bay, Glenn Curtiss (1878-1930) makes the first premeditated aeroplane landing on water, water taxiing and water take-off.

One of the pioneers of aviation, Curtiss recognized that the construction of airstrips around the world would take time.  He determined that aircraft that could land and take off on water, as existing sea ports were already transportation hubs, would generate interest in the industry. He custom built floats and adapted them onto his own ‘Model D’ to enable it to take off and land on water thereby proving the concept. Photograph courtesy of San Diego Historical Society

Quote of the Day

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler.

Albert Einstein,  (1879 - 1955)

A Bit of Light Relief

According to a recent survey by the Academy of Incomplete Research, nine out of ten people are