US AIRWAYS EYES BIG ANCILLARY REVENUE GAINS
AIRLINES US Airways expects to generate $400-500 million from its ancillary revenue programme in 2009, including a new pillow and blanket scheme. Chief executive Doug Parker says programmes including checked bag fees, and food and beverage sales have been "as aggressive or more aggressive" than competitors'. Low-fare carriers WestJet and JetBlue already charge C$7 ($5.56) and $7 respectively for a pillow and blanket kit.
SPEEA UNION RATIFIES FOUR-YEAR BOEING DEAL
LABOUR Members of the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace union have ratified four-year collective deals covering nearly 21,000 Boeing personnel in Washington, Oregon, California and Utah. The agreements will run until 2012 and follow resolution of a two-month strike by Boeing machinists.
UK WET-LEASE OPERATOR CEASES FLIGHTS
CHARTER UK specialist charter and wet-lease operator Flightline has ceased trading and gone into administration with the loss of all its 235 jobs bar a few left to assist administrator KPMG. The London Southend airport-based company's fleet comprises nine BAe 146 and BAE Systems Avro RJ regional jets and a pair of Boeing MD-83s. Flightline has previously performed subcontract work for carriers including Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa and Qantas.
SPACE TOURISM PIONEER LOOKS TO SCIENCE
PERSONAL SPACEFLIGHT Space Adventures, which has organised private flights via Russian Soyuz craft to the International Space Station, is to collaborate with consultants American Aerospace Advisors to provide space-specific scientific experiment and research project opportunities for academic and industrial clients. American Aerospace chief executive David Yoel says: "These projects have the potential to result in significant technical breakthroughs."
GLOBAL OBSERVER LIFTS AEROVIRONMENT
UNMANNED SYSTEMS AeroVironment's unmanned aircraft systems business posted improved revenue and gross margin - up 15.8% to $102.5 million and 18% to $36.6 million respectively - for the six months to 1 November, thanks largely to customer-funded research and development work on its Global Observer programme, which offset reduced product deliveries and service revenue.
UK AEROSPACE ASSOCIATIONS TO VOTE ON MERGER
TRADE BODIES Two UK trade associations moved a step closer to merging as the Defence Manufacturers Association council followed the Society of British Aerospace Companies in deciding to ballot members on a proposed link-up. Members of both organisations are expected to be balloted early next year.
WIND ENERGY BOOST FOR UMECO COMPOSITES
ACQUISITION Composite materials supplier Umeco is to acquire Italian vacuum bagging films maker Industria Plastica Monregalese for up to €30 million ($38 million). IPM supplies wind energy manufacturers, who account for 6% of Umeco's business. Umeco is also active in aerospace, motor sport and automotive markets.
OGMA C-130 CONTRACT WITH FRENCH AIR FORCE
CORRECTION On P31 of our 2-8 December issue we referred to OGMA's contract to maintain the French air force's "40-strong" Lockheed Martin C-130 fleet. There are 14 C-130s in the fleet.
Source: Flight International
