BOMBARDIER SEES CSERIES ORDERS THIS YEAR
Bombardier is confident it will secure firm orders for the 110/130-seat CSeries this year, including from Lufthansa. The airframer launched the geared turbofan (GTF)-powered aircraft on 13 July with a letter of interest from the German operator for up to 60 of the type. Details of that agreement are still being finalised, but Bombardier believes a firm order will happen "this year", says Bombardier Aerospace president and chief operating officer Guy Hachey. Lufthansa has indicated it will not be the launch operator, and Hachey says other deals can be sealed "within a few months". The CSeries is expected to enter service late in 2013.
UNION DEAL ON JOB CUTS KEY TO ALITALIA RELAUNCH
Plans for the relaunch of Alitalia by Italian investors are estimated to include the loss of 3,250 permanent jobs from the 17,500 at the current Alitalia and Air One operations, Italian labour minister Maurizio Sacconi is quoted as saying. Sacconi and officials from would-be investor Compagnia Aerea Italiana (CAI) met unions last week to discuss relaunch plans, expected to involve fellow Italian operator Air One. Air France-KLM dropped an offer earlier this year for Alitalia after failing to secure union support for its plans and CAI has made union support a condition of its offer.
IATA KEEPS WATCH ON VULNERABLE AIRLINES
Airline losses will nose-dive even further this year, according to the International Air Transport Association, which is forecasting industry losses of $5.2 billion in 2008 based on an average crude oil price of $113 per barrel ($140 for jet fuel). This is more than double the loss it predicted as recently as its annual meeting in early June. IATA is monitoring the financial condition of 11-15 carriers as spiking fuel prices and sluggish demand have already driven roughly 26 carriers to suspend or terminate operations this year. Traffic statistics for July show a sharp decline for one of the strongest months of the year, a concerning sign as carriers enter one of the weakest times for demand.
MERGER PLAN FOR AIRUNION CARRIERS
Russia's struggling carrier alliance AirUnion could become part of a larger airline association under the aegis of state corporation Russian Technologies, Krasnoyarsk regional government and the Moscow municipality. The proposed carrier is to comprise the route networks and fleets of five constituent units of AirUnion alliance centred on Krasnoyarsk-based Krasair. It should also take in those of Moscow government-owned carrier Atlant-Soyuz as well as state-controlled airlines Rossiya, KavminvodyAvia, Orenburg Air, Saratov Airlines and Vladivostok Avia.
ECLIPSE DIVIDES TO CONQUER
Eclipse Aviation chief executive Roel Pieper has established a three-pronged divisional structure in its attempt to reinvigorate its Eclipse 500 manufacturing and support services. Manufacturing and customer divisions, led respectively by Peg Billson, previously chief operating officer, and Mike McConnell, previously vice-president sales and marketing, fall under the umbrella of the corporate department that carries out finance, legal, human and public relations, and other central functions. In July, Eclipse directors removed founder Vern Raburn as chief executive.
Source: Flight International
