SkyTeam Says Do Svidaniya to Aeroflot
It took two months, but SkyTeam finally suspended Aeroflot from the alliance, a week after oneworld did the same to privately-owned Russia carrier S7 Airlines.
SkyTeam says the suspension is temporary, which will provide some hope for those hoping to keep their summer vacation plans to Moscow intact. Aeroflot has been in SkyTeam since the mid-2000s and has been a member in good standing as much as a publicly-owned Russian airline can be — except for in 2013 when it threatened to leave. Even though SkyTeam did not take action until today, Delta ended its codeshare agreement with the carrier shortly after the invasion of Ukraine began in February.
The alliance says it is working to limit the impact for customers, whatever that means. Luckily for SkyTeam flyers seeking disfunction with their travels, ITA remains a proud member of the alliance and will insert chaos and unpredictability in any vacation at a moment’s notice.
Hawaiian Posts Q1 Loss, Expects Q2 Success
Hawaiian Airlines joined the chorus of airlines reporting Q1 losses but expecting a turn to the black in Q2 as it released its Q1 financial report. Hawaiian reported a loss of $122.8 million for the first three months of 2022 on $477 million in gross revenue.
The carrier’s overall revenue figure was up 152% from a year ago, with passenger revenue accounting for a 194% jump year-over-year. Hawai’i ended its Safe Travels restrictions in the final week of March, opening the carrier to increased travel to the state for the rest of the calendar year.
Hawaiian operated at 88% of its capacity compared to Q1 2019, with 118% of its capacity being filled year-over-three on flights to the mainland, 75% on flights within the state, and just 25% of international capacity.
Hawaiian expects total revenue to be down 8-12% in Q2 from 2019, on 11.5-14.5% less ASMs, and 16.5-19.5% reduced costs excluding fuel. It ends the quarter with $1.6 billion in cash and cash equivalents, $1.9 billion in liquidity, $1.9 billion in outstanding debt, and thousands of Safe Travel entry forms and wristbands. The wristbands are being donated to a Waikiki nightclub while the entry forms will be used as kindling to roast pigs at resort luaus throughout the state.
Qatar Suffers Loss in Legal Battle with Airbus
Qatar Airways effort to force Airbus to honor its pending order and deliver A321neos was stuck down in a preliminary ruling by a UK judge this week while presumably wearing some sort of wig.
The decision to stop selling the narrowbody aircraft was a response by Airbus to Qatar’s lawsuit over the alleged safety issue created by peeling and cracking paint on its A350 fleet. Airbus acknowledges the paint is cracking but says it does not pose a safety issue.
The retaliatory move by Airbus to cancel the 50-jet order set Qatar’s future aircraft plans in doubt, and the carrier was able to get an injunction to halt the cancellations. With the ruling, Airbus is free to offer these planes to other airlines or any other business in the market for a 200-seat narrowbody jet.
- Air Canada‘s A320neos are getting new Pratt & Whitney engines that presumably will stay attached to the aircraft during flight.
- Air India wants to buy out AirAsia India.
- Air New Zealand is moving its main office from downtown Auckland to the Auckland airport.
- Allegiant is opening a new base in Provo (PVU).
- Avianca has delisted from U.S. stock markets.
- Canada Jetlines is putting new wheels on its A320 fleet.
- Finnair is finished working with the Finnish government on a loan worth up to €400 million.
- ITA and Airbus are partnering to develop urban air mobility in Italy, whatever that is.
- Malindo Air, an airline you haven’t heard of is rebranding itself to Batik Air.
- Norwegian is considering more bases in the Mediterranean.
- Oman Air retired its 4 E175s.
- SKY Express will operate to 20 cities in 11 countries outside of Greece this summer.
- United‘s B767-400s are getting new Polaris seats. In the meantime, Polaris customers will be asked to stand.
So many people are worried about their laptop and smartphone spying on them. But they totally ignore their vacuum cleaner, which has been gathering dirt on them for years.