http://australian-aviation-news.blogspot.com
1. Engineers next to hit Qantas with industrial action
QANTAS will be forced to shut its heavy maintenance facilities in Brisbane and Victoria tomorrow because of industrial action by licensed engineers.
Members of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association will strike for a full shift at the facilities, forcing the airline to stand down other workers on full pay.
The action comes as the Transport Workers Union warned yesterday that it could hold a second round of stoppages involving ground staff as early as next week. However, the union said any action would have to be ratified by members.
The licensed engineers have been ramping up their campaign, extending overtime bans to weekdays and threatening next month to expand one-hour rolling stoppages to four hours.
Unions are bracing for months of strife and ALAEA federal secretary Steve Purvinas has described the situation as a war with the company.
While tomorrow's strike will not have a direct effect on passengers, it will delay entry into service of aircraft undergoing maintenance and add to the cumulative impact of the ALAEA's action.
A rolling campaign by engineers in 2008 saw the airline's on-time performance drop below 70 per cent and cancellations top 6 per cent, while it cost the airline more than $130 million.
Qantas group executive Olivia Wirth said four-hour rolling stoppages by engineers would have a significant impact.
"We don't have a contingency workforce and we don't have contingency capabilities like we do with the TWU workforce.
The TWU strike forced Qantas to cancel 28 flights and delay others but its contingency plans coped with the renewed schedule.
2. Airline profits to drop 29% in 2012
The International Air Transport Association has said airline profits will drop by almost a third in 2012.
The IATA, which represents the airline industry, announced it expected industry profit to fall from $6.9 billion to $4.9 billion in 2012.
The organisation upgraded its expectations of industry profit from $4 billion in June to $6.9 billion but emphasized that profitability was still “exceptionally” weak as the industry’s total revenues were $594 billion.
IATA director general and chief executive Tony Tyler said while it was good that airlines were going to make more in 2011 than previously thought, the improvements should be kept in perspective.
“The $2.9 billion bottom line improvement is equal to about a half a percent of revenue. And the margin is a paltry 1.2%. Airlines are competing in a very tough environment. And 2012 will be even more difficult,” he said.
The organisation said its forecast was built around global projected GDP growth falling from 2.4% in 2011 to 2.5% in 2012. It said that in the past whenever GDP had slowed below 2.0% the airline industry had lost money.
“We will be perilously close to that level at least through 2012. The industry is brittle. Any shock has the potential to put us in the red,” Mr Tyler said.
Forecast for 2011
Despite the “gloomy economic outlook”, IATA said passenger demand had been stronger than anticipated, with volumes up 6% in the year to July bringing total numbers to 2.833 billion, and the forecast for the year at 5.9% growth.
However air freight had “stagnated” since the start of the year, with full-year volume growth projection reduced from 5.5% to 1.4% by IATA, who said it appeared unlikely that a revival in air freight would begin before 2012.
Fuel was the big cost factor, with oil prices remaining consistent with previous forecast levels of $110 per barrel, 39% higher than the $79.4 average price of 2010. IATA said a total fuel bill of $176 billion was expected to account for 30% of industry costs.
In particular, Asia Pacific carriers were expected to return a $2.5 billion profit in 2011, up $400 million on the June forecast. IATA said this was the largest absolute profit, but that the region had also seen the most dramatic downturn compared with 2010, which saw the region deliver $8 billion profit. The organisation said the weakness of the air cargo market was disproportionately affecting airlines in the region, owing to the larger share of cargo in airline revenues.
“The shocks from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami continue to affect supply chains and cargo markets (in which Asia Pacific carriers have the largest market share). A strong rebound is expected late in the year continuing into 2012.”
2012
The industry forecast of $4.9 billion is built around a growth in passenger markets of 4.6%, slower than projected for 2011 with yield growth falling to about half that expected in 2011. Cargo market would grow at 4.2%, three times the growth in 2011, but with no yield growth, and the fuel bill would grow to 32% of airline costs, with a total bill of $201 billion, IATA said.
Asia Pacific looks set to come out the best of the regions, with relatively stronger economic growth and a rebound in cargo helping the region to maintain close to 2011 profit levels at $2.3 billion, said Mr Tyler.
“The rest of the industry will see declining profitability. And the worst hit is expected to be Europe where the economic crisis means the industry is only expected to return a combined profit of $300 million. A long slow struggle lies ahead,” he said.
The airline consistently performed better than the industry average.
“A review of the past five calendar years shows that our margin has been better than the industry as a whole for every one of those five years.”
Air New Zealand’s net profit margin in 2010 was 3.6% compared with IATA’s 2.9% and was 3.6% in 2009 compared with IATA’s -1% .
The airline expected growth out of the Australian market as the exchange rate settled, and was focussed on China, one of the biggest aviation growth markets. He said Air New Zealand was expected the Japan and USA markets to return to growth scenarios and that there would be flow on benefits ahead from the Rugby World Cup.
The airline had achieved a profit of $169 million and had recorded a 2% reduction in unit costs in the 2011 financial year.
"This reflected a 14 per cent increase in passengers to 18.8 million, and shows that we continue to grow the size of our operations as well as our earnings, achieved through safely reducing costs and building ancillary revenue."
The airline had been profitable every year since it commenced operations, the spokeswoman said, and the Asia Pacific region was providing the airline with a significant platform for future long term growth.
“The Asia Pacific aviation market is the largest, and fastest growing, in the world.”
3. Hawaiian Airlines offers low fares to Hawaii, US
Hawaiian Airlines will launch a low fare sale on flights from Australia to Hawaii and US.
From 5 October, the Summer Saver return fares for as low as AUD$1498 will be available for sale from 19 Australian cities to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas or Oakland via Hawaii.
Sherilyn Robinson, GM of Hawaiian Airlines sales and marketing, Australia, said the new Hawaii/ US mainland fares enable travellers to experience Hawaii and the mainland in one exciting trip, and take advantage of flying into one city and out of another.
“A stop in Hawaii is a great chance to unwind with some sun, sand and surf at the start of a holiday or to pick up some great end-of-holiday shopping bargains in Honolulu,” Robinson said.
Outside Sydney, fares to the US mainland via Hawaii are available from 18 other Australian destination, including Australian domestic flights with Virgin Australia.
Economy Class fares from Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ballina, Canberra, Hervey Bay, Coffs Harbour, Maroochydore and Port Macquarie will be priced from AUD$1738. Flights from Adelaide, Launceston, Hobart, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville and Albury will cost AUD$1838 for economy class seats and AUD$1998 for flights from Perth.
Fares are available for sale and ticketing until 5 October, subject to availability on selected travel dates. Low season fares are available for departures between 01 February 2012 until 31 March 2012.
Other travel dates are available for an additional cost with high season fares valid from 1-16 January 2012, and shoulder season fares available from 17-31 January 2012.
Fares include a stopover in Honolulu in one direction with the option to purchase a second one for $100.
All Hawaiian Airlines fares from Sydney to the US include main meals, drinks and main screen entertainment, plus a baggage allowance of two checked bags each weighing up to 32kg.
Hawaiian Airlines is a partner in the Velocity loyalty programme of Virgin Australia, enabling members to earn or redeem points on Hawaiian flights. The airline also offers the free HawaiianMiles rewards program which enables members to collect points on every flight with Hawaiian Airlines and its partners.
4. Australian pilot trainees wooed to NZ
CTC Aviation Training (NZ) Limited, a world-leading airline pilot training provider with a base in Hamilton, is wooing Australian trainees across the Tasman through a nationwide, Australian recruitment drive starting this month.
The company provides pilot graduates to Jetstar Australia, Jetstar Asia, Jetstar Pacific and a large number of European airlines.
CTC Aviation Training CEO, Ian Calvert, says in addition to continuing to recruit New Zealanders, the company is now actively recruiting pilots in Australia for the first time, due to increased airline demand.
"CTC is currently supplying pilots to Jetstar Australia, who require a number of pilots in the next 12 months. Plus, Jetstar Asia in Singapore has asked for 15 pilots in training by 31 March 2012.
"Additionally, CTC is in negotiations with major airlines in Asia, the Middle East and Europe who are all signalling a huge demand for pilots in both the short- and long-term. We currently train around 180 airline pilots in New Zealand each year. However, we estimate one year from now that number will rise to between 250 and 300.
"We are recruiting in Australia so that we can train enough pilots to ensure we continue to have the capacity to meet our airline partners' demands," explains Mr Calvert.
Mr Calvert said three key factors were putting pressure on airlines worldwide and resulting in increased demand for CTC graduates: large aircraft orders, increasing passenger numbers in Asia, and the aging pilot population.
"CTC is one of the world's leading airline pilot training providers and we're ready to leverage our leadership to capitalise on this emerging growth opportunity," he says.
Since launching the Jetstar Cadetship in 2009, CTC has trained 30 pilots from Australia and New Zealand for the programme. There are currently an additional 12 pilots in training with CTC on the Jetstar Cadet Programme.
Mr Calvert says the Australian cadets the company has trained, so far, selected CTC over Australian-based pilot training providers.
"The Australians who have sought out the opportunity to train with CTC in New Zealand have done so primarily for two reasons. Firstly, they recognise that CTC's unwavering commitment to producing the highest quality airline pilots is highly respected by the major airlines around the world with whom we work closely with.
"And, secondly, New Zealand is a familiar, yet exciting, country for Australian trainees to live and work. Many see the opportunity to spend some time here while completing their flight training as an added bonus," explains Mr Calvert.
CTC Aviation Training (NZ) Ltd will make presentations to interested potential trainees in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney this month.
CTC trains between 1200 -1900 aircrew for more than 50 global airlines each year. In addition to its crew training centre in Hamilton, New Zealand, it has a further three centres in Bournemouth and Southampton in the UK.
Aviation NEWS By
Neha Jain
Aviation NEWS Reporter
1. Engineers next to hit Qantas with industrial action
QANTAS will be forced to shut its heavy maintenance facilities in Brisbane and Victoria tomorrow because of industrial action by licensed engineers.
Members of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association will strike for a full shift at the facilities, forcing the airline to stand down other workers on full pay.
The action comes as the Transport Workers Union warned yesterday that it could hold a second round of stoppages involving ground staff as early as next week. However, the union said any action would have to be ratified by members.
The licensed engineers have been ramping up their campaign, extending overtime bans to weekdays and threatening next month to expand one-hour rolling stoppages to four hours.
Unions are bracing for months of strife and ALAEA federal secretary Steve Purvinas has described the situation as a war with the company.
While tomorrow's strike will not have a direct effect on passengers, it will delay entry into service of aircraft undergoing maintenance and add to the cumulative impact of the ALAEA's action.
A rolling campaign by engineers in 2008 saw the airline's on-time performance drop below 70 per cent and cancellations top 6 per cent, while it cost the airline more than $130 million.
Qantas group executive Olivia Wirth said four-hour rolling stoppages by engineers would have a significant impact.
"We don't have a contingency workforce and we don't have contingency capabilities like we do with the TWU workforce.
The TWU strike forced Qantas to cancel 28 flights and delay others but its contingency plans coped with the renewed schedule.
2. Airline profits to drop 29% in 2012
The International Air Transport Association has said airline profits will drop by almost a third in 2012.
The IATA, which represents the airline industry, announced it expected industry profit to fall from $6.9 billion to $4.9 billion in 2012.
The organisation upgraded its expectations of industry profit from $4 billion in June to $6.9 billion but emphasized that profitability was still “exceptionally” weak as the industry’s total revenues were $594 billion.
IATA director general and chief executive Tony Tyler said while it was good that airlines were going to make more in 2011 than previously thought, the improvements should be kept in perspective.
“The $2.9 billion bottom line improvement is equal to about a half a percent of revenue. And the margin is a paltry 1.2%. Airlines are competing in a very tough environment. And 2012 will be even more difficult,” he said.
The organisation said its forecast was built around global projected GDP growth falling from 2.4% in 2011 to 2.5% in 2012. It said that in the past whenever GDP had slowed below 2.0% the airline industry had lost money.
“We will be perilously close to that level at least through 2012. The industry is brittle. Any shock has the potential to put us in the red,” Mr Tyler said.
Forecast for 2011
Despite the “gloomy economic outlook”, IATA said passenger demand had been stronger than anticipated, with volumes up 6% in the year to July bringing total numbers to 2.833 billion, and the forecast for the year at 5.9% growth.
However air freight had “stagnated” since the start of the year, with full-year volume growth projection reduced from 5.5% to 1.4% by IATA, who said it appeared unlikely that a revival in air freight would begin before 2012.
Fuel was the big cost factor, with oil prices remaining consistent with previous forecast levels of $110 per barrel, 39% higher than the $79.4 average price of 2010. IATA said a total fuel bill of $176 billion was expected to account for 30% of industry costs.
In particular, Asia Pacific carriers were expected to return a $2.5 billion profit in 2011, up $400 million on the June forecast. IATA said this was the largest absolute profit, but that the region had also seen the most dramatic downturn compared with 2010, which saw the region deliver $8 billion profit. The organisation said the weakness of the air cargo market was disproportionately affecting airlines in the region, owing to the larger share of cargo in airline revenues.
“The shocks from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami continue to affect supply chains and cargo markets (in which Asia Pacific carriers have the largest market share). A strong rebound is expected late in the year continuing into 2012.”
2012
The industry forecast of $4.9 billion is built around a growth in passenger markets of 4.6%, slower than projected for 2011 with yield growth falling to about half that expected in 2011. Cargo market would grow at 4.2%, three times the growth in 2011, but with no yield growth, and the fuel bill would grow to 32% of airline costs, with a total bill of $201 billion, IATA said.
Asia Pacific looks set to come out the best of the regions, with relatively stronger economic growth and a rebound in cargo helping the region to maintain close to 2011 profit levels at $2.3 billion, said Mr Tyler.
“The rest of the industry will see declining profitability. And the worst hit is expected to be Europe where the economic crisis means the industry is only expected to return a combined profit of $300 million. A long slow struggle lies ahead,” he said.
The airline consistently performed better than the industry average.
“A review of the past five calendar years shows that our margin has been better than the industry as a whole for every one of those five years.”
Air New Zealand’s net profit margin in 2010 was 3.6% compared with IATA’s 2.9% and was 3.6% in 2009 compared with IATA’s -1% .
The airline expected growth out of the Australian market as the exchange rate settled, and was focussed on China, one of the biggest aviation growth markets. He said Air New Zealand was expected the Japan and USA markets to return to growth scenarios and that there would be flow on benefits ahead from the Rugby World Cup.
The airline had achieved a profit of $169 million and had recorded a 2% reduction in unit costs in the 2011 financial year.
"This reflected a 14 per cent increase in passengers to 18.8 million, and shows that we continue to grow the size of our operations as well as our earnings, achieved through safely reducing costs and building ancillary revenue."
The airline had been profitable every year since it commenced operations, the spokeswoman said, and the Asia Pacific region was providing the airline with a significant platform for future long term growth.
“The Asia Pacific aviation market is the largest, and fastest growing, in the world.”
3. Hawaiian Airlines offers low fares to Hawaii, US
Hawaiian Airlines will launch a low fare sale on flights from Australia to Hawaii and US.
From 5 October, the Summer Saver return fares for as low as AUD$1498 will be available for sale from 19 Australian cities to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas or Oakland via Hawaii.
Sherilyn Robinson, GM of Hawaiian Airlines sales and marketing, Australia, said the new Hawaii/ US mainland fares enable travellers to experience Hawaii and the mainland in one exciting trip, and take advantage of flying into one city and out of another.
“A stop in Hawaii is a great chance to unwind with some sun, sand and surf at the start of a holiday or to pick up some great end-of-holiday shopping bargains in Honolulu,” Robinson said.
Outside Sydney, fares to the US mainland via Hawaii are available from 18 other Australian destination, including Australian domestic flights with Virgin Australia.
Economy Class fares from Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ballina, Canberra, Hervey Bay, Coffs Harbour, Maroochydore and Port Macquarie will be priced from AUD$1738. Flights from Adelaide, Launceston, Hobart, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville and Albury will cost AUD$1838 for economy class seats and AUD$1998 for flights from Perth.
Fares are available for sale and ticketing until 5 October, subject to availability on selected travel dates. Low season fares are available for departures between 01 February 2012 until 31 March 2012.
Other travel dates are available for an additional cost with high season fares valid from 1-16 January 2012, and shoulder season fares available from 17-31 January 2012.
Fares include a stopover in Honolulu in one direction with the option to purchase a second one for $100.
All Hawaiian Airlines fares from Sydney to the US include main meals, drinks and main screen entertainment, plus a baggage allowance of two checked bags each weighing up to 32kg.
Hawaiian Airlines is a partner in the Velocity loyalty programme of Virgin Australia, enabling members to earn or redeem points on Hawaiian flights. The airline also offers the free HawaiianMiles rewards program which enables members to collect points on every flight with Hawaiian Airlines and its partners.
4. Australian pilot trainees wooed to NZ
CTC Aviation Training (NZ) Limited, a world-leading airline pilot training provider with a base in Hamilton, is wooing Australian trainees across the Tasman through a nationwide, Australian recruitment drive starting this month.
The company provides pilot graduates to Jetstar Australia, Jetstar Asia, Jetstar Pacific and a large number of European airlines.
CTC Aviation Training CEO, Ian Calvert, says in addition to continuing to recruit New Zealanders, the company is now actively recruiting pilots in Australia for the first time, due to increased airline demand.
"CTC is currently supplying pilots to Jetstar Australia, who require a number of pilots in the next 12 months. Plus, Jetstar Asia in Singapore has asked for 15 pilots in training by 31 March 2012.
"Additionally, CTC is in negotiations with major airlines in Asia, the Middle East and Europe who are all signalling a huge demand for pilots in both the short- and long-term. We currently train around 180 airline pilots in New Zealand each year. However, we estimate one year from now that number will rise to between 250 and 300.
"We are recruiting in Australia so that we can train enough pilots to ensure we continue to have the capacity to meet our airline partners' demands," explains Mr Calvert.
Mr Calvert said three key factors were putting pressure on airlines worldwide and resulting in increased demand for CTC graduates: large aircraft orders, increasing passenger numbers in Asia, and the aging pilot population.
"CTC is one of the world's leading airline pilot training providers and we're ready to leverage our leadership to capitalise on this emerging growth opportunity," he says.
Since launching the Jetstar Cadetship in 2009, CTC has trained 30 pilots from Australia and New Zealand for the programme. There are currently an additional 12 pilots in training with CTC on the Jetstar Cadet Programme.
Mr Calvert says the Australian cadets the company has trained, so far, selected CTC over Australian-based pilot training providers.
"The Australians who have sought out the opportunity to train with CTC in New Zealand have done so primarily for two reasons. Firstly, they recognise that CTC's unwavering commitment to producing the highest quality airline pilots is highly respected by the major airlines around the world with whom we work closely with.
"And, secondly, New Zealand is a familiar, yet exciting, country for Australian trainees to live and work. Many see the opportunity to spend some time here while completing their flight training as an added bonus," explains Mr Calvert.
CTC Aviation Training (NZ) Ltd will make presentations to interested potential trainees in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney this month.
CTC trains between 1200 -1900 aircrew for more than 50 global airlines each year. In addition to its crew training centre in Hamilton, New Zealand, it has a further three centres in Bournemouth and Southampton in the UK.
Australian Aviation NEWS
Aviation NEWS By
Neha Jain
Aviation NEWS Reporter
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