Boeing announces US$3.9 billion net profit, stands by 787
The Boeing Company has announced a reduced net profit of US$3.9 billion in 2012 compared with the previous year’s US$4.02 billion, despite an 18.9 per cent rise in revenue to US$81.7 billion. The reduced margin was attributable to increased tax liabilities. Boeing Commercial received net orders worth US$70 billion during 2012, bringing to US$319 billion
ACCC approves Virgin Australia’s quest for Skywest
Virgin Australia has welcomed approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for the outright acquisition of Skywest. Virgin Australia’s CEO, John Borghetti said the ACCC clearance was an important step in the airline’s growth plans. “This acquisition will enable us to accelerate our expansion in the high growth fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) and regional markets,
100th F-35 in production
Assembly of the 100th Joint Strike Fighter is underway at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility. AF-41, a F-35A conventional takeoff and landing aircraft, is one of 89 F-35s currently in production at Fort Worth and Marietta. AF-41 is destined for pilot training at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.
MEL achieves 100 million international passengers
The 100 millionth international passenger passed through Melbourne Airport on January 31. The airport’s CEO Chris Woodruff said: “We’ve come a long way since we first opened for international flights in July, 1970. In our first year of operation, around 100,000 passengers travelled through the new airport. Last year, almost seven million international passengers used Melbourne
Singapore Airlines sheds pilots
Singapore Airlines (SIA) is releasing 76 pilots on fixed-term contracts earlier than planned in response to excess capacity and slower than expected growth. Earlier expecting to release the pilots on expiry of their contracts, SIA will now prematurely terminate contracts by June 30. The airline has said it will assist affected pilots with finding opportunities
China Southern arrives in Cairns
Cairns’ first scheduled China Southern flight arrived on January 30, marking the start of a thrice-weekly seasonal service to cater for high season demand. In addition to the scheduled services, Chinese tour operators have chartered China Southern aircraft for seven direct flights between Cairns and Guangzhou during the Chinese New Year. Two charters will be
