General News
Below are links to stories of general interest in relation to aviation and airports.
IATA: Improved profitability, margins still pathetic, Europe still lags and forecast for 2011
IATA forecasts for the aviation industry say "The recovery cycle will pause in 2011. Although the $9.1 billion profit projection for 2011 is better than previously forecast, next year the industry will face tougher conditions than what we are experiencing today". They expect global passenger demand to rise by 5.2% in 2011, European demand by 3.5% and European profit to fall to $100 million in 2011. IATA expect fuel to be $84 per barrel, up from $79 in 2010.
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Iata raises global airline profit forecast by 70% for 2010
IATA says airlines will make a record $15.1bn this year - 70% more than its last forecast made in September, when it said the total airline profit for 2010 would be $8.9bn. It says the change in forecast is due to higher-than-expected 3rd quarter passenger numbers, but profit margins are only 2.7% hich is says are "knife edge". Bisigiani says the profit margin in 2011 will only be 1.5%. The global industry's projected revenues for 2010 are $565 billion.
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British Airways raises fuel surcharge by £10 as oil price rises
BA is to increase its fuel surcharge on long-haul flights for the first time in more than 2 years. Passengers will pay an extra £10 per journey sector ( £20 return) - taking the surcharge to between £63 and £108 depending on flight length and class of travel. BA said the rise reflected "the substantial recent increase in the price of oil". Short-haul flights are unaffected by the changes. IATA says the recent oil price rises will be a challenge in 2011. (BBC)
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BAA passenger numbers rise less in November because of snow and bad weather
Passenger numbers across its 6 UK airports did not grow as much as BAA expected in November due to snow. They were up +1% from a year ago to 7.9 million, but BAA said the rise would have been 2.7% without the snow. At Heathrow pax were up + 4.3% (5th monthly record); Stansted down - 7.6%; Edinburgh down -3.9%; Glasgow down - 0.8%; Aberdeen down - 1.9% and Southampton down - 3.2%. UK Air Transport Movements for BAA airports were down - 1.5% and air cargo up + 2.8%.
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Ireland to go for flat rate flight tax of €3 from March to December 2011
The Irish Government stopped short of axeing the controversial air travel tax but instead changed it to a flat rate of €3. Previously the charge was €2 for a short flight (less than 300km) and €10 for a long-haul flight. Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said the move, which takes effect from March, would help the tourism industry which has taken a hit in the past year. It will be reviewed next year. Tourist numbers to Ireland fell hugely during 2010.
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Ireland to cut passenger tax from €10 to €3 March – December 2011
The Irish government will reduce its air passenger tax from €10 to €3 in a bid to support tourism, as part of the debt hit country's recent budget review. T his goes against the growing trend in Europe of introducing or increasing air passenger taxes. The UK saw its APD rise again in November this year, while Germany and Austria are set to introduce their own versions in the new year. The reduced Irish rate will apply from March 2011 until the end of 2011. (ABTN)
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Blackpool Airport beaten in High Court by Jet2.com
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Qantas A380 engine had problems before explosion and likely to be a manufacturing problem
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‘Resource efficiency’ the new buzzword in Commission workplan – includes transport
The Commission has confirmed it will publish a new white paper on EU transport policy next year. This came as part of the Commission’s workplan for 2011, aiming to make resource efficiency a priority. The work programme concentrates on a low-carbon economy, energy security and a resource-efficient economy. There will be an overall approach to how energy and transport can be put on the road to transform the EU economy by 2050. T&E will ensure aviation is included.
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bmi asks CAA to review BAA’s plans for higher charges on domestic flights
bmi has complained to the Civil Aviation Authority about BAA’s plans to introduce higher charges for domestic passengers flying out of Heathrow. BAA recently announced that, from April 2011, it intends to raise charges by over 50%. The rate increases from £13.43 to £20.25 per departing passenger. bmi wants to ask the CAA to investigate under the Airports Act 1986 to see if this is unfair discrimination against domestic operations. (Flightline)