DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Russia can sustain war effort ‘for another two or three years,’ say analysts
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

While this has meant trading “quality for quantity,” Russia has also been able to manufacture new vehicles. The authors concluded Russia could sustain its current rate of attrition for up to three years and maybe longer. Total military spending now represents one third of its national budget and will reach about 7.5% of GDP, signaling the focus on its war effort,” Giegerich said. Alexander Ermochenko/ReutersThe Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), another think tank, published its own report this week on Russia’s shifting military objectives and capacity. The report said Russia will seek to achieve its objective in three stages.

Persons: ” “, Mike Johnson, ” Bastian Giegerich, ”, Ukraine’s, ” Giegerich, Alexander Ermochenko, Kyiv “ Organizations: CNN, Ukraine “, Institute for Strategic Studies, West, United States Senate, NATO, European, Pentagon, “, Reuters, Royal United Services Institute, Russian, Services, Kyiv Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine’s, “ Russia, Olenivka, Donetsk region, Ukrainian, “

The objections focused on the difficulty of achieving elite status and new restrictions on entering airport lounges. In simplifying the path to status, Delta sharply raised spending requirements for each SkyMiles level. The September proposal created a backlash among Delta customers on social media, with some threatening to switch to other airlines. JetBlue and Alaska Airlines tried to poach Delta's best customers by offering to match elite status for anyone leaving the Delta loyalty program. Southwest Airlines announced that next year it will make it easier to qualify for the top levels of its frequent-flyer program.

Persons: Ed Bastian, “, what’s, Delta, ” Bastian, poach, Henry Harteveldt, ”, Bastian, Delta “ Organizations: Delta Air Lines, Delta, Diamond, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Flyers, Atmosphere Research, American Express Locations: Atlanta

☆ Delta loyalty program backlash: Airline backtracks on some changes after an uproar from customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Gregory Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Delta Air Lines is easing off some recent changes to its SkyMiles loyalty program that sparked criticism from frequent flyers. Fundamentally, Wednesday’s announcement keeps in place a significant overhaul announced just last month that transitioned the loyalty program from miles-based to spending-based. But the airline will make it easier for frequent flyers to reach certain rewards thresholds than the original changes. Last month, Delta CEO Ed Bastian pledged modifications to the program, but downplayed customer frustrations. Bastian said Delta gained so many elite status holders that demand for premium services, including lounge access at airports, overwhelmed the company.

Persons: DAL, Ed Bastian, ” Bastian, Bastian, Delta Organizations: CNN, Delta Air Lines, Delta’s, Delta, Rotary Club of Atlanta

Planes packed with summer travelers boosted Delta Air Lines to a $1.11 billion profit in the third quarter, and the carrier said Thursday that it expects revenue to keep rising into the holiday season. Profit was up 59% from a year earlier, as strong ticket sales — especially for premium seats and international flights — helped Delta shrug off higher labor costs. “I think we’re closing the year strong, and the holiday bookings that we see right now are pretty good,” CEO Ed Bastian said in an interview. For the fourth quarter, Delta said revenue will rise as much as 11% from a year ago and it will earn between $1.05 to $1.30 per share. Bastian expressed confidence that Delta and other carriers can raise prices enough to cover any increase in fuel expense.

Persons: “, Ed Bastian, Bastian, ” Bastian, We’ll, ” Organizations: Delta Air Lines, —, Travelers, JFK, Delta, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Revenue Locations: Delta, Atlanta, U.S, New

☆ Delta CEO: Company went ‘too far’ with its SkyMiles rewards program changes
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Delta CEO Ed Bastian said the company probably went “too far” in its controversial changes to the SkyMiles loyalty program and said there are plans for modifications. It got to the point, he said, that the company couldn’t effectively serve those elite status holders, including upgrade certificates and agents on special phone lines. When the moderator asked Bastian about the rewards program changes, the audience at the Atlanta Rotary Club booed. In September, the company implemented changes that would make it more difficult for American Express cardholders to access Delta Sky Clubs and earn Medallion elite status, taking effect in 2025. For frequent fliers, the airline will also change how it awards Medallion elite status starting in 2024.

Persons: Ed Bastian, ” Bastian, “, Bastian, It’s, ’ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Rotary Club of Atlanta, Delta, Atlanta Rotary Club, American Express, Delta Sky Clubs, American, Starbucks Locations: New York

Labor shortagesAs the pandemic swooped in, air travel was among the industries most affected, as more than 90% of flights were grounded. Today, labor shortages exist throughout the economy, but the problem drags on in the air travel sector, where more extensive employee training is usually required. Steven Senne / APOutdated technology and infrastructureThere is near-universal agreement that the infrastructure underpinning segments of America's air travel system is outdated and vulnerable. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Montana, said the incident highlighted "a huge vulnerability in our air transportation system." Air travel should be predictable and consistent, and you shouldn’t have to wonder if air traffic control is going to be working today as you head to the airport.

☆ Delta decided against using ‘fairly old’ backup system during FAA outage
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( Gregory Wallace | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Delta Air Lines has a backup to the federal aviation safety system that failed this week, but the airline decided against using it, CEO Ed Bastian said Friday. Bastian described the Delta’s secondary system as “fairly old backup technology” involving the notices known as NOTAMs distributed by the Federal Aviation Administration alerting pilots of obstacles, closures, and other information. Delta’s backup system collects data from the NOTAM database. But a new labor deal with its pilots union will trim profitability going forward. The main headwind: a new tentative labor agreement with its pilots union, reached a month ago, that will increase pay by 34% over the life of the contract.

Search resuls for: "” Bastian"

7 mentions found