JETBLUE PLANS DEFERRALS TO CUT COSTS
DELIVERIES Deliveries of 10 Airbus A320 narrowbodies to JetBlue Airways are to be postponed from 2012 and 2013 to 2016 as the New York-based carrier looks to spread out its aircraft purchase obligations. By the airline's estimate, the deferrals will reduce aircraft purchase costs by $500 million. JetBlue has agreed to pay Airbus $5 million as part of the deferral agreement. It is now intending to take seven A320s in 2012-13. JetBlue has also opted out of two Embraer 190 deliveries scheduled for 2012.
MARKET REVIVAL BOOSTS COFFERS IN SEATTLE
MANUFACTURERS Boeing has recorded a profit of $837 million for the third quarter of 2010, reversing a $1.6 billion loss incurred in the same period of 2009, with the latter figure affected by delays to the 787 and 747-8 programmes. A 10% year-on-year rise in commercial aircraft deliveries, from 113 to 124, boosted commercial aircraft revenues from $7.9 billion to $8.7 billion. The company booked 221 net orders during the quarter, compared with 79 a year previously.
EXPLOSIVE GROWTH AHEAD FOR TNT FLEET
CARGO Belgium's TNT Airways is to replace 10 Boeing 737-300 freighters deployed in Europe with 11 larger-capacity 737-400 Special Freighters leased from GECAS, which has contracted Israel Aerospace Industries for the conversion work. Deliveries will run to the first quarter of 2012. TNT is also leasing three 777 freighters from Guggenheim Aviation Partners, for use on Asian routes. These will arrive by the end of 2011.
US CARRIERS BACK IN BLACK
RESULTS The revival of the US airline industry continues apace, with a clutch of major carriers reporting vastly improved results for the third quarter compared with the same period last year. Southwest Airlines turned a $16 million loss recorded into a positive result of $195 million, while newly merged airlines United and Continental reversed losses of $57 million and $18 million to record profits of $387 million and $367 million, respectively.
GATWICK GREEN-LIGHT FOR A380 OPERATIONS
AIRPORTS Following approval by the airport's local authority, Airbus A380s can now be operated at London Gatwick. The airport has invested £43 million ($67.6 million) in six new large-aircraft stands. Of these, two can accommodate the A380, and now - courtesy of Crawley Borough Council - have permission to do so.
BAE SYSTEMS TO FIND HOMES FOR GMT WIDEBODIES
ASSET MANAGEMENT Dublin-based lessor GMT Global Republic Aviation has awarded BAE Systems a mandate to remarket its eight Airbus A340s. GMT has six A320-200s on lease to South African Airways and two A340-300s with Virgin Atlantic Airways. The aircraft will become available between April 2011 and early 2012.
SRI LANKAN TO SCALE UP
CAPACITY Five Airbus A320s and two de Havilland Canada Twin Otter amphibious aircraft are to join SriLankan Airlines' fleet by the end of 2011, under the carrier's fleet growth plans.
ARAB CARRIERS HITTING PERFORMANCE PEAK: IATA
FORECASTS Arab airlines' annual profits will next year fall by a quarter, to $300 million, warns the International Air Transport Association.
Source: Flight International
