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Aviation History
2004
2004-09 - 1979.PDF
AIR TRANSPORT E-TICKETING Sita warns regionals Airline back-office computer sys tems specialist Sita has warned that regional airlines' reluctance to convert their data systems to internet format could delay inter national goals for 100% electronic ticketing by 2007. Speaking at last month's European Regions Airline Association general assembly in Vienna, Leo Dowling, head of partnership development for SITA's information network com puting division, said the goal agreed by International Air Transport Association members in June to move to paperless check-ins within three years may be unachievable as small opera tors are still using conflicting, legacy software systems rather than ones based on internet pro tocols (IP). "Unless we get the regionals and the no-frills guys on board, 100% e-tickets by 2007 won't happen," he says. Sita says that around 450 of 800IATA member airlines have "migrated" to IP systems, but adds that the rest are largely smaller operators for which a technology upgrade represents a significant additional cost. Dowling adds that other IATA computer goals also depend on all airlines adopting IP-based systems. IATA estimates the elimination of paper tickets could save the airline industry $3 billion a year in direct costs alone (Flight International, 15-21 June). EXPANSION NICHOLAS IONIDES / SINGAPORE Air Deccan boosts turboprop makers with upgrade plan ATR and Bombardier types to be evaluated as Indian low-cost airline goes shopping Fast-growing Indian low-cost car rier Air Deccan plans to give a turboprop manufacturer a boost by purchasing 15 new 70-seaters as part of an upgrade of its fleet. The airline's turboprop fleet comprises seven ATR 42s on lease from the manufacturer, while another five leased aircraft are due for delivery from this month. Managing director Capt G R Gopinath says: "We are in the midst of the evaluation and we expect to decide within 45 days." He says 15 70-seat aircraft will be taken on firm order for delivery from the middle of next year, while there will also be an unspecified number of options. ATR has for mally offered its ATR 72-500 and Bombardier its Dash 8 Q400, adds Gopinath. "We are very happy with the ATRs, but all the aircraft are on lease. Since we are planning a purchase, we need to have a proper evaluation between the ATR 72 and Bombardier Q400," says Gopinath, who adds that the new- build aircraft will gradually replace its ATR 42s. "We have been successful with the ATR 42s and the load factor has been averaging 85%. When we purchase aircraft and we get larger aircraft, the cost per seat will come down, so I can reduce prices." The no-frills carrier launched operations in August last year from its Bangalore base serving sec ondary cities. Earlier this year it ordered two Airbus A320s from the manufacturer and agreed to lease five from Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise as part of a plan to expand operations on key domes tic trunk routes. Gopinath says two A320s are now in service and a third will start shortly. Two more are due to arrive in February, followed by the two purchased aircraft from Airbus in September. Talks are also being held with suppliers on the lease of two more A320s, for delivery next year. PRODUCTION Toulouse readies third A380 flight-test airframe Assembly of Airbus A380 test aircraft is gathering momen tum in Toulouse, with the third (MSN004) completing struc tural assembly. This airframe will, along with MSN001, undertake most of the air- frame/systems development and certification and will be equipped with extensive flight- test instrumentation. It is due to fly early in the second quar ter of next year. MERGER HERMAN DE WULF/ BRUSSELS Brussels duo prepare to optimise networks Belgian low-cost airline Virgin Express and its former full-service local rival SN Brussels Airlines ceased to be competitors last week after they officially signed off their merger plan. They aim to complete their merger in the first quarter and start optimising networks, but will retain their identities and continue to target different markets. The 5 October official agreement came after over two years of on/off discussions over a merger. It brings the two airlines under common ownership of SN Airholding, the Belgian group that controls SN Brussels Airlines, the successor car rier to Belgium's now-defunct national airline Sabena. The two carriers - which between them carry around 40% of all passengers using Brussels airport - will continue to target different passenger groups. "The excess capacity which has existed in the Brussels market for some time has meant consolidation in the European short-haul market is essential," says Virgin Express's par ent Virgin Express Holdings (VEX). SN Airholding chairman Etienne Davignon says the move will enable excess capacity on certain routes to be reduced: "The partners, which have set up a four-strong integration committee, say the first priority will be to plan a network based on 'optimising' the flight pro grammes of the two carriers." Under the agreement, VEX will transfer its shares into SN Airhold ing for an agreed value of €54 mil lion ($67 million). In return VEX will receive 29.9% of SN Airholding. After completion of the transaction, SN Airholding will hold all Virgin Express's stock, and 92% of the shares of SN Brussels Airlines, with 8% held by the Sabena Interservice Centre. Several conditions still have to be fulfilled, with clearance from the competition authorities awaited. After consultation with the Euro pean Commission, the file will go to the Belgian and German competi tion authorities. 12 12-18 OCTOBER 2004 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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