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Aviation History
1997
1997 - 2450.PDF
AIR TRANSPORT AmWest pilots clear Airbus deal GUY NORRIS/LOS ANGELES AMERICA WEST has :onfirmed a deal valued at $ 1.4 billion for up to 46 Airbus Industrie A319- 100s and A320-200s after securing a last-minute agreement with the Air Line Pilots Associa tion (ALPA). The order was initially outlined a year ago, but prolonged negotia tions over financing following die airline's emergence from bank ruptcy and talks with the pilots union meant diat the deal could not be given die firm go-ahead until 15 September. ALPA says that the agreement "...ensures that only America West pilots will fly tiiose Iberia starts work on American alliance IBERIA HAS cemented the first element of its recent commercial agreement with American Airlines. The Spanish Government has also reconfirmed that the flag carrier will be "fully privatised" by 1999. Iberia now has frequent-flier and codesharing programmes in place with the US carrier, and expects to tie up similar arrange ments with its otjier new commer cial partner, British Airways, by die end of October. American and BA, still awaiting European Union and US Depart ment of Transport approval for their planned alliance, indicate that they each intend to take a 5 % stake in Iberia if the alliance is successful. Iberia says that the arrange ments with the two foreign carriers are only part of a wider opening of capital which will result from its privatisation. So far, die workforce has taken a 9% share of die stock. Iberia says that its next step is to create a stockholder base, probably including die Spanish Govern ment, but open to foreign parties with "no limitations". Remainingshareswill be offered on the Spanish stock market after three concurrent years of profi table performance. Iberia is expect ed to post a profit of Ptas 11 billion ($73.3 million) for 1997, following a Ptas 3.37 billion profit in 1996.Q aircraft included in the order diat are new-equipment models in the airline's fleet. Additionally, the accord allows America West to operate newly introduced A319s and any A32 Is acquired through this order under the same pilot contract provisions diat applv to theA320." America West, which now oper ates 26 A3 20s, says die firm portion of die order commits it to 22 A319- 100sand24A320-200s, 12ofwhich are "subject to reconfirmation". The firm aircraft will be delivered between 1998 and 2 001. The order also includes options to purchase an additional 40 A320 "class" aircraft during 2001 dirough 2005 and "...certain rights to convert firmly ordered A319s and A320s to larger A321 aircraft", it adds. The A319s will he configured with 124-128 seats in two classes. William Franke, chairman and chief executive ofthe airline's par ent group, America West Holdings, says that the deal "...replaces the agreements made prior to and during the airline's bankruptcy with an order provid ing significantly improved com mercial terms". The airline adds that die restructured arrangements also cover finance assistance on between 12 and 16 aircraft, "...sub ject to the conclusion of satisfacto ry arrangements with an engine manufacturer". The current fleet is powered by International Aero Engines V2500s, although the lan guage ofthe airline statement sug gests diat CFM International may make a strong bid for the order. America West, which is based at Phoenix, Arizona, is due to decide by die end ofthe year on where and how the new aircraft will be used. "We're looking at different options ranging from opening services to new cities to increasing frequen cies. The Airbus fleet is used for long- and short-haul services so anything is possible," it adds. The carrier now operates a fleet which includes large numbers of Boeing 737 200/300sand 757s. • Singapore Leasing signs customers for A320s SINGAPORE Aircraft Leasing five-year agreement with Saeaga signed a letter of intent (Lol) with Enterprise (SALE) has signed for two International Aero Engine SALE for five A3 20s for delivery agreements for five new Airbus V2527-A5-powered A320s. They from January 1998, but economic Industrie A320s, with two aircraft are scheduled for deliver)- in uncertainties in Malaysia have going to Saeaga Airlines of Malay- August and September 1998. forced plans to be scaled down, sia and three to TransAer Inter- The aircraft are intended as an SALE also announced an Lol national Airlines of Ireland. interim step until the carrier can from TransAer to lease three A320s SALE, a joint venture between finalise an order widi Airbus for a for six years. The operator will take Boullioun Aviation Services and further five A320s, which it plans to deliver 'of the first in early 1998 Singapore Airlines, has signed a add in 1999. Saeaga had originally andtwomoreinearl\T999. • Liverpool-bound easyjet is adding to its fleet of Boeing 737s with 12 -300s easyJet expands fleet and starts Liverpool operation EASYJET HAS ordered 12 Thenewaircraftwillbeaddedto operations with services to Boeing 737-300s, for the first die fleet in 1998 and 1999, joining Amsterdam and Nice, starting in time directly from Boeing. The six 737-200/300s. It is likely that October. A third hub situated in London Luton-based low-cost some of the present fleet will be Scotland is also a possibility as the carrier has previously acquired replaced as the new aircraft fleet numbers build up. secondhand aircraft, primarily become available. The airline already operates to from leasing companies. The air- The order comes as easyjet several Scottish cities, including line had also considered acquiring moves to set up a new operation at Aberdeen and Glasgow, and also new-generation 737s and had Liverpool Airport, in north-west flies to destinations in continental looked at Airbus narrowbodies. England. The carrier plans to start Europe. • 10 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 24 - 30 September 1997
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