Virgin Australia has concluded its 100 per cent acquisition of Skywest, with the scheme becoming binding on all parties on April 11. In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange, Virgin CEO John Borghetti said: “We are very pleased to have completed the transaction and to now be able to bring the Skywest business into
Virgin Australia Fokker 100 breaks cover
The first Skywest aircraft to be repainted in Virgin Australia colours has arrived in Perth after repainting with Flying Colours in Townsville. The aircraft is pictured here on approach to land at Perth on April 10, a day before Virgin Australia’s takeover of Skywest officially takes effect. Skywest operates Fokker 100s and Fokker 50s on
Fewer lost bags despite increase in passenger numbers
Airline baggage handling improved last year with the rate of mishandled bags dropping 1.78 per cent, according to the ninth annual SITA Baggage Report. In 2012, 8.83 bags per thousand passengers were mishandled, down from 8.99 in 2011. The air transport industry achieved this improvement despite a 4.5 per cent rise in passenger numbers to
Pacsim delivers to its first US customer
Hot on the heels of its recent sale to an Australian-based flying school, Pacific Simulators (Pacsim) has signed a deal with ADF Airways in Miami, Florida for the purchase of the latest PS4.5 Flight Training Device based on the Boeing 737-800. Due to be installed at ADF Airways in the second quarter of 2013, the
Emirates launches trans-Atlantic services
In a noteworthy strategic network development, Emirates is extending its presence in the European and US markets, launching nonstop flights between Milan and New York from October 1. While already flying across the Atlantic from Dubai, this is the first time Emirates has connected a European port with the US, further raising the competitive stakes
F-111 arrives at HARS
The world’s last operational F-111C bomber has arrived at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) facilities at Illawarra Regional Airport near Wollongong. Designated A8-109, the aircraft left RAAF Base Amberley on a low-loader in the early hours of April 6, reaching HARS three days later. A8-109 is ex-United States Air Force and saw combat in
