IATA HALVES GLOBAL LOSS FORECAST FOR 2010
The International Air Transport Association halved its estimate of 2010 airline industry net losses to $2.8 billion, following evidence of economic recovery, and cut by 15%, to $9.4 billion, its estimate of net losses for 2009 after a year-end pick-up. Global revenues in 2010 are forecast to rise by 8.8% to $522 billion.
AIR PARTNER HITS DOWNDRAFT
Aircraft charter and brokerage firm Air Partner saw pre-tax profits for the half year to 31 January plunge by more than three-quarters to less than £1.01 million ($1.54 million) as revenue dropped 7% to £95 million. Air Partner is to close its private jet managed fleet business at Biggin Hill, UK.
SAS HIT LOSES ESPIONAGE APPEAL
SAS Group is facing a SKr200 million ($28 million) charge after an appeal court upheld an espionage claim by budget carrier Norwegian, which alleged that SAS inappropriately used confidential business information after it took over Norway's Braathens, which had previously co-operated with Norwegian.
AERO SEKUR OPENS BANGALORE OFFICE
Anglo-Italian safety systems and flexible materials maker Aero Sekur has opened an office at the Bangalore Advanced Engineering Regional Office being developed by UK aerospace industry association ADS. Aero Sekur has worked with Bangalore-based Sika Interplant since January 2009 as it aims to expand in Asia.
NEW NAME FOR DUBLIN CONSULTANCY
Dublin recruitment agency and aviation consultancy Sigmar Aviation has changed its name to Sigma Aviation Services. The change dates to a strategic review begun when the company was acquired by its original founder, John Barry, in 2009.
QUEST COMES TO REST IN SINGAPORE
Quest Global Engineering is to make Singapore its international headquarters from 1 April. The engineering services provider, which employs over 2,000 people in France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK and the USA, is active in industries including aerospace, automotive, nuclear engineering and power generation.
ENSIGN-BICKFORD EXPANDS IN CALIFORNIA
Privately held missile and launcher systems maker Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense of Simsbury, Connecticut has acquired for an undisclosed sum Special Devices' defence and aerospace group, located in Moorpark, California.
JAL OFFERS EARLY RETIREMENT TO PILOTS
Japan Airlines plans to offer early retirement from 31 May to pilots aged 35 and above as part of a bid to cut headcount by 15,000 over three years. The carrier filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year, with debts of ¥2.3 trillion ($25.4 billion). Of 2,700 pilots in the JAL group, 2,300 are eligible, including 1,500 captains.
AAR SECURES CSERIES CONTRACT
US maintenance and aviation systems provider AAR Composites has been chosen to design and manufacture composite flap track fairings for the wings of the Bombardier CSeries aircraft family. The contract could be worth more than $90 million during the life of the programme.
Source: Flight International
