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☆ Air New Zealand sees 'significant' hit to flight schedule from RTX engine issue
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Rajesh Kumar Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Loren Elliott(Reuters) -Air New Zealand on Tuesday warned that inspections of RTX’s Pratt & Whitney engines would have a “significant” impact on its flight schedule from next year. “This issue will further reduce engine availability and is expected to have a significant impact on the airline’s schedule from January 2024,” Air New Zealand said in a statement. Air New Zealand has 16 A320neo jets in its fleet of 106 aircraft, servicing Australia and the Pacific Island markets and, to a much lesser extent, the domestic market. Major customers that took delivery of affected A320neo jets include Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines and Wizz Air, according to aviation data provider Cirium. Hungary’s Wizz Air, one of Europe’s largest lost-cost airlines, on Monday said its capacity could be reduced by 10% in the second half of 2024 as a result.

Persons: Loren Elliott, RTX’s Pratt, Greg Hayes Organizations: Air, Sydney Airport, REUTERS, Reuters, Zealand, Whitney, Airbus, ” Air, Air New, Pacific, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, Wizz Locations: Zealand, Sydney, Australia, Air New Zealand

☆ US airline pilots fight their unions to increase retirement age
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Rajesh Kumar Singh | Allison Lampert | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Increasing the age limit by two years would also align pilot retirement with the minimum federal retirement age, allowing them to receive full social security benefits. But the specific question of increasing the retirement age to 67 was never brought to the floor for a vote. “This is a coup by junior pilots against senior pilots,” said Allen Baker, who retired as a United Airlines pilot in June. Dennis Tajer, a spokesman for American Airlines pilots union, said pilots seeking higher retirement age want to keep earning longer. But United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has said lifting the retirement age would not solve the pilot shortage.

Persons: Bo Ellis, F, Andrew Kelly ALPA, Ellis, ALPA, ”, “, ” ALPA, Rick Redfern, Savanthi Syth, Raymond James ., Dan Carr, Carr, Allen Baker, Baker, Dennis Tajer, Jason Ambrosi, Barry Biffle, Scott Kirby, Jonathan Ornstein Organizations: Reuters, Air Line Pilots Association, Kennedy International Airport, REUTERS, U.S . Congress, Regional Airline Association, Southwest Airlines, Air, Mesa, MESA, United Airlines, United, U.S . Senate, Raymond James . JUNIOR, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, International Air Transport Association Locations: Queens , New York City, U.S, Delta, United, Redfern, Canada, Japan, Australia, Mesa

Increasing the age limit by two years would also align pilot retirement with the minimum federal retirement age, allowing them to receive full social security benefits. But the specific question of increasing the retirement age to 67 was never brought to the floor for a vote. "This is a coup by junior pilots against senior pilots," said Allen Baker, who retired as a United Airlines pilot in June. Dennis Tajer, a spokesman for American Airlines pilots union, said pilots seeking higher retirement age want to keep earning longer. But United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has said lifting the retirement age would not solve the pilot shortage.

Persons: F, Andrew Kelly, Bo Ellis, ALPA, Ellis, Rick Redfern, Savanthi Syth, Raymond James ., Dan Carr, Carr, Allen Baker, Baker, Dennis Tajer, Jason Ambrosi, Barry Biffle, Scott Kirby, Jonathan Ornstein, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Allison Lampert, Ben Klayman, Grant McCool Organizations: Pilots, Kennedy International Airport, REUTERS, Air Line Pilots Association, U.S . Congress, Regional Airline Association, Southwest Airlines, Reuters, Mesa, MESA, United Airlines, United, U.S . Senate, Raymond James . JUNIOR, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, International Air Transport Association, Thomson Locations: Queens , New York City, U.S, Redfern, Canada, Japan, Australia, Chicago, Montreal

☆ American Airlines pilots approve new contract that boosts compensation by more than 46%
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents 15,000 pilots at the Texas-based carrier, said on Monday that 72.7% of the pilots voted for the deal which will result in an immediate pay raise of more than 21%. Overall, compensation for pilots at the airline will rise by more than 46% during the contract's duration. With no letup in travel demand, airlines are in a rush to staff up, bolstering the bargaining power of pilots. Rival United Airlines (UAL.O) last month announced a preliminary deal for a new four-year contract that would give its pilots a cumulative increase of 34.5%-40.2% in pay. American's contract includes about $1.1 billion in immediate, one-time payments and ratification bonuses.

Persons: Brian Snyder, Ed Sicher, Sicher, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Allison Lampert, Matthew Lewis Organizations: American Airlines, Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Allied Pilots Association, Allied Pilots, Reuters, Jefferies, U.S, Rival United Airlines, Thomson Locations: Boston , Massachusetts, U.S, Texas, Chicago, Montreal

International travel reached around 90% of pre-pandemic levels this year, according to the International Air Transport Association. Those trends lifted quarterly earnings of travel companies, with cruise operators like Royal Caribbean (RCL.N) reporting record results in recent weeks. Ticket prices, which in some cases have increased by double-digit percentages since the pandemic, are unlikely to plummet. She expects air fares on long-haul international routes to remain high until supply outpaces pre-pandemic levels, demand normalizes and jet fuel prices decline further. International inbound vs outbound in the U.S this yearAverage domestic airfare is currently $246 round-trip, down 8% from 2022, according to travel booking app Hopper.

Persons: Dan McKone, Amadeus, Jozsef Varadi, Hayley Berg, Hopper, that's, Glenn Fogel, Kathleen Oberg, Joanna Plucinska, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Doyinsola, David Gaffen, Matthew Lewis Organizations: International Air Transport Association, Consulting, Royal, Booking Holdings, Marriott, Lufthansa LHAG.DE, United Airlines, Wizz, Reuters, Holdings, International, U.S . National Travel, Tourism Office, British Airways, IAG, Thomson Locations: CHICAGO, Southern Europe, Britain, France, United States, Germany, Singapore, Royal Caribbean, Manila, Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo, Europe, Asia, COVID, U.S, Canada, London, Chicago, New York, Bengaluru

Delta Airlines passenger jets are pictured outside the newly completed 1.3 million-square foot $4 billion Delta Airlines Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport in the Queens borough of New York City, New York, U.S., June 1, 2022. REUTERS/Mike SegarAug 9 (Reuters) - Wheels Up Experience (UP.N) said on Wednesday there was "substantial doubt" about its ability to continue operations, even as it disclosed short-term funding from Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), sending its shares plunging 42%. North American business flights were down 3.6% compared with July 2022, according to data from Argus International. Delta said in a statement that it was providing a short-term capital infusion in the form of a secured promissory note to Wheels Up, which is pursuing strategic partnerships. Wheels Up, which canceled an earnings call scheduled for Wednesday, said U.S. private jet operator Airshare had entered into a non-binding agreement with the company to acquire its non-core aircraft management business.

Persons: Mike Segar, Delta, Ed Bastian, Airshare, Shivansh, Allison Lampert, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Vinay Dwivedi, Mark Potter Organizations: Delta Airlines, LaGuardia Airport, REUTERS, Delta Air Lines, Argus International, Delta, Airshare, Thomson Locations: Queens, New York City , New York, U.S, American, Bengaluru, Montreal

The One World trace Center and the New York skyline are seen while United Airlines planes use the tarmac as pilots from United Airlines take part in an informational picket at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., May 12, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File PhotoAug 4 (Reuters) - United Airlines (UAL.O) on Friday said it is spending $33 million to buy 113 acres (46 hectares) in Denver as part of its growth strategy. Asked if United could use the land to move its corporate headquarters, a United spokeswoman said, "The land in Denver gives us options for the future as we implement our big plans to grow." United is acquiring two parcels, including one just outside Denver International Airport with access to its Flight Training Center. In June 2022, United broke ground on a new four-story building at the flight training facility.

Persons: Eduardo Munoz, United, David Shepardson, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Mark Porter, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: United Airlines, Newark Liberty International Airport, REUTERS, Denver, Airport, Flight Training Center, United, Training, Boeing, Caterpillar, Thomson Locations: York, Newark , New Jersey, U.S, Denver, Chicago, Illinois, Arlington , Virginia, Dallas, Deerfield , Illinois

☆ Spirit Airlines warns of revenue hit as engine problem grounds more jets
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Rajesh Kumar Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A logo of low cost carrier Spirit Airlines is pictured on an Airbus plane in Colomiers near Toulouse, France, November 6, 2018. Pratt & Whitney's new engine issue adds to headache for carriers that are already grappling with shortages of pilots, air traffic controllers and new planes, making it harder to add more flights. Spirit Airlines, which is the largest operator of GTF-powered NEO aircraft in the United States, previously cut 2023 capacity estimates due to unscheduled engine removals. Spirit, however, said RTX has promised to compensate the airlines affected by the new engine issue. Christie said Spirit has as many as 13 engines out of initial 200 identified by Pratt & Whitney for accelerated inspection.

Persons: Regis, Pratt, Ted Christie, Christie, RTX, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Mark Porter, Jonathan Oatis, Conor Humphries Organizations: Spirit Airlines, Airbus, REUTERS, Pratt & Whitney, Thomson Locations: Colomiers, Toulouse, France, United States, Florida

☆ Sluggish return of business travelers forces US airlines to rejig their networks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Rajesh Kumar Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Before the pandemic hit in 2020, corporate travel was the travel industry's cash cow. Investors in travel companies are concerned that the spending from vacationers cannot make up the shortfall. For months, Alaska Air's (ALK.N) business bookings have been 25% below pre-pandemic levels. JetBlue Airways (JBLU.O) said on Tuesday it will redeploy capacity away from New York to high-margin leisure destinations with business travel demand 20% below pre-pandemic levels. Recent passenger screening and fare data shows U.S. travel demand has peaked, hurting the carriers' pricing power.

Persons: Ronald Reagan, Kevin Lamarque, Shane Tackett, Bob Jordan, Kevin Kopelman, Luis Gallego, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Doyinsola Oladipo, Sarah Young, Joanna Plucinska, David Gaffen, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, REUTERS, U.S, Investors, Airlines for America, Reuters, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Marriott, MasterCard, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, NYSE, Cowen, British Airways, IAG, Google, JPMorgan, Thomson Locations: Ronald Reagan Washington, Arlington , Virginia, U.S, Alaska, Seattle, Mexico, Costa Rica, California, New York, Asia, Pacific, Europe, Chicago, London

Investors have been jittery about the strength of domestic travel demand, as recent fare data shows ticket prices have peaked. Like leisure carrier Alaska Air (ALK.N), JetBlue said soaring demand for long-haul international trips has led to a drop in domestic travel. While JetBlue expects the trend to improve in the fourth quarter, around the winter holidays, it is still estimated to hurt the company's full-year earnings. JetBlue now expects full-year adjusted profit of 5 cents to 40 cents per share, compared with its previous forecast of 70 cents to $1 per share. Profit for the second quarter came in at 45 cents per share, compared with analysts' average estimate of 44 cents per share, according to Refinitiv data.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Pratt, Ursula Hurley, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Anil D'Silva, Jan Harvey Organizations: JetBlue, Newark Liberty International Airport, REUTERS, JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, NYSE, Investors, Carriers, Alaska Air, Pratt & Whitney, Airbus, Pratt, Whitney, Thomson Locations: New York City, New Jersey, U.S, York, Boston, New York, Chicago, Bengaluru

☆ American Airlines pilots reach deal to match gains at rival United
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Rajesh Kumar Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents over 15,000 American Airlines pilots, did not specify the value of the revised deal. The American Airlines revised deal also provides pilots full back pay for this year. In line with United's deal, pay increases for American Airlines' pilots will now take place on January 1 instead of May 2 as provided in the original deal. An American Airlines spokesperson described the revised deal as a contract that its pilots deserve. Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) is now the only major U.S. carrier that is without a new pilot contract deal.

Persons: Brian Snyder CHICAGO, Robert Isom, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Leslie Adler, Bill Berkrot, Jamie Freed Organizations: American Airlines, Airport, REUTERS, United Airlines, North American, Allied Pilots Association, American, United, Delta Air Lines, APA, Jefferies, Delta, United . Airline, Southwest Airlines, Thomson Locations: Boston , Massachusetts, U.S, United States

[1/2] Model of a Pratt & Whitney GTF engine is displayed at the 54th International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 20, 2023. Hawaiian Airlines warned it might have to adjust its capacity, but said it was too early to assess the impact. Spirit Airlines previously cut 2023 capacity estimates due to a lack of working GTF engines. A spokesperson said the New York-based carrier was working with Pratt to assess the impact of the latest problem. In a regulatory filing, the company previously warned it was "vulnerable to significant problems" associated with Pratt & Whitney's GTF engines.

Persons: Pratt & Whitney, Benoit Tessier, Pratt, Addison Schonland, RTX, Schonland, Peter Ingram, Scott Haralson, Whitney's, Wizz, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Tim Hepher, Valerie Insinna, Ben Klayman, Jamie Freed Organizations: Pratt &, International Paris Air, Le, REUTERS, Airline, Pratt & Whitney, Pratt, Airbus, Carriers, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, Wizz, JetBlue, Thomson Locations: Le Bourget, Paris, France, PARIS, Pratt, Florida, New York, New York City, Chicago, Washington

GE's aerospace unit, which makes engines for jets of Boeing Co (BA.N) and Airbus (AIR.PA), posted double-digit growth in orders, revenue, and operating profit from a year earlier. Its services revenue was up 31% in the second quarter from a year ago. The Boston-based company now expects 2023 adjusted profit per share of $2.10 to $2.30, compared with its previous forecast of $1.70 to $2.00. Free cash flow for the year is estimated to be in a range of $4.1 billion to $4.6 billion, up from $3.6 billion to $4.2 billion expected previously. GE said operating profit at its aerospace business was now expected to be in a range of $5.6 billion to $5.9 billion this year, up from $5.3 billion to $5.7 billion estimated earlier.

Persons: Larry Culp, France's Safran, Culp, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Kirsten Donovan, Mark Potter, Louise Heavens Organizations: General Electric Co, Boeing Co, Airbus, Boeing, GE, Thomson Locations: Boston, Chicago, Bengaluru

☆ American Airlines union postpones vote for contract agreement
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 23 (Reuters) - American Airlines' pilot union has indefinitely postponed the ratification vote for a tentative contract agreement, it said in a memo on Sunday. The voting will now take place "at a date and time to be determined", the union said. American Airlines (AAL.O) pilots were due to vote on Monday after the company on Friday raised the value of its contract offer to pilots by more than $1 billion. The Texas-based carrier said on Friday's changes brought the total value of the four-year proposed contract to $9 billion and would match the pay rates and retroactive pay in United Airlines' (UAL.O) tentative agreement. American Airlines did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Persons: Rishabh, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Nivedita Organizations: American Airlines, United Airlines, Thomson Locations: The Texas, Bengaluru

☆ Focus: Shifting trends in travel demand bedevil US airlines
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Rajesh Kumar Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

But travel patterns are shifting so often, partly due to work-life changes wrought by the pandemic, that airlines must constantly adapt on booking plane seats and remain cautious in forecasting demand and revenue. American Airlines (AAL.O) Chief Financial Officer Devon May attributed the challenge to the difficulty in forecasting demand. Worries about future demand were a reason American Airlines' stock fell 6% on Thursday even after it raised its full-year earnings forecast. It was a risky bet as booking data from the previous quarter had shown customers were booking trips well in advance. Delta said Southern Europe's summer travel season is now longer than it used to be, prompting the airline to adjust its network.

Persons: Devon, We're, United, United's, Andrew Nocella, Henry Harteveldt, Harteveldt, Rahul Sen Sharma, Sharma, Ed Bastian, Delta, Glen Hauenstein, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Ben Klayman, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Consumers, American Airlines, Reuters, United Airlines, Atmosphere Research, Airlines, Air Lines, Thomson Locations: Southern, Chicago

☆ Exclusive: Airbus A321XLR jet faces range gap after design safeguards -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Tim Hepher | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, July 21 (Reuters) - Airbus (AIR.PA) is grappling with a growing shortfall in the range of its upcoming A321XLR passenger jet after reaching an agreement with European regulators on design safeguards needed to achieve certification, industry sources said. "Airbus expects no significant impact on the XLR’s unique range advantage in the single-aisle segment," an Airbus spokesperson said in response to a Reuters query. But the design raised concerns among regulators about the risk of fire and evacuation times in the event of an accident, prompting talks over design changes needed for certification. This would trim the maximum range, which Airbus officially pegs at 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km). Airbus aims to certify the A321XLR by end-year and deliver the first aircraft in the second quarter of 2024.

Persons: Philippe Mhun, FlightGlobal, Tim Hepher, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Louise Heavens Organizations: Airbus, Le, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, Reuters, JetBlue, Thomson Locations: Boeing's, Le Bourget, Paris, New York, America, Europe

☆ United CEO confirms airline faces problem finding pilots to take captain's chair
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Rajesh Kumar Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHICAGO, July 20 (Reuters) - United Airlines (UAL.O) CEO Scott Kirby has acknowledged that the carrier's pilots are shunning promotion to the captain's chair, hurting its flight capacity in the fourth quarter, confirming what Reuters reported earlier this week. At United, bids for 978 captain vacancies, or about 50% of the vacancies posted, have gone unfilled in the past year, United pilot union data shows. Currently, United has about 5,900 captains and 7,500 first officers, according to union data. A captain's pay is better, but junior captains face greater risks of being subject to unpredictable flying schedules, more on-call duty and assignments at short notice. Kirby said the contract has already made a difference and led to a better response in the latest bidding for captain vacancies.

Persons: Scott Kirby, Kirby, Rajesh Kumar Singh, David Holmes Organizations: United Airlines, Reuters, United, Airlines, Pilots, Thomson Locations: Chicago

☆ US airlines see no letup in travel demand despite broader economic concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Rajesh Kumar Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

CHICAGO, July 20 (Reuters) - A rush among travelers to make up for lost time during the pandemic is producing bumper airline earnings. United Airlines (UAL.O) and Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) have also raised their earnings estimates as consumers cut spending on goods in favor of experiences. "It's indicative of our belief that the economy is strong, demand is strong," American CEO Robert Isom said on an earnings call. Strong demand has bolstered airfares, allowing carriers to offset higher costs. They point to frequent upgrades to airline earnings forecasts as an evidence of strong travel spending.

Persons: Robert Isom, Scott Kirby, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Nick Zieminski Organizations: U.S, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, U.S . Transportation, Airline, Thomson Locations: Texas, U.S, Europe

☆ United Airlines posts record high quarterly earnings, lifts full-year outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Rajesh Kumar Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CHICAGO, July 19 (Reuters) - United Airlines Holdings (UAL.O) on Wednesday lifted its full-year profit outlook after posting the highest ever quarterly earnings on booming demand for international travel. That is well above analysts' consensus earnings estimate of $9.77 per share for 2023, according to a Refinitiv survey. For the third quarter, United forecast adjusted earnings of $3.85 to $4.35 per share, while the Wall Street consensus is $3.70. Among U.S. airlines, higher-margin international travel is the most important to United, accounting for about 38% of its passenger revenue before the pandemic. In the second quarter, international passenger revenue rose 44% year-on-year, accounting for about 41% of the airline's total passenger revenue.

Persons: Rajesh Kumar Singh, Richard Chang Organizations: United Airlines Holdings, U.S, Thomson Locations: Chicago, Europe

☆ Focus: United Airlines grapples with pilots avoiding the captain's chair
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Rajesh Kumar Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

One industry official dubbed it the "no one wants to be a junior captain syndrome." Dennis Tajer, a spokesman for American's pilots union, said the number of pilots declining promotions has at least doubled in the past seven years. At United, bids for 978 captain vacancies, or about 50% of the vacancies posted, have gone unfilled in the past year, United pilot union data shows. A captain's pay is better, but junior pilots, currently, face greater risks of being subjected to unpredictable flying schedules, more on-call duty and assignments on short notice. A failure to substantially improve work rules was a major reason why United pilots overwhelmingly rejected a deal last year.

Persons: Phil Anderson, Anderson, Robert Mann, Mann, Dennis Tajer, Garth Thompson, Scott Kirby, would've, Greg Sumner, Sumner, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Allison Lampert, Ben Klayman, Matthew Lewis Organizations: United Airlines, United, American Airlines, Airlines, LinkedIn, Delta Air Lines, U.S, Reuters, Indiana, Thomson Locations: Chicago, Montreal

☆ Exclusive: American Airlines pilot deal in 'jeopardy' after United's contract agreement -union memo
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Rajesh Kumar Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHICAGO, July 18 (Reuters) - American Airlines' (AAL.O) pilot union has warned that the ratification of the company's new contract deal is in "jeopardy" as United Airlines (UAL.O) has raised the benchmark with its own deal, according to a union memo seen by Reuters. A spokesperson for American Airlines said the company will work with the union to make sure its pilots are taken care of. United's four-year pilot deal offers cumulative pay raises of 34.5% to about 40%. Dennis Tajer, a spokesman for American's pilots union, said United's contract will lead to at least a 2% pay gap between United and American pilots. United's back pay provisions are also better than what American has provided in its pilot deal, he said.

Persons: Dennis Tajer, United's, Tajer, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sonali Paul, Matthew Lewis Organizations: American Airlines, United Airlines, Reuters, American, Allied Pilots Association, Management, TA, Thomson Locations: Chicago

☆ United Airlines pilots reach labor agreement, boost pay
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

CHICAGO, July 15 (Reuters) - United Airlines (UAL.O) and its pilots on Saturday reached a labor agreement that will give the latter a significant pay increase, after the union rejected an earlier offer last year instead to seek even higher wages with pilots in short supply. The pilots will get cumulative 34.5%-40.2% increase in pay raises in a new four-year contract, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) said. "We're pleased to have reached an agreement with ALPA," United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said. United, Delta, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) are estimated to hire about 8,000 pilots this year. United pilots turned down a deal last year that included more than 14.5% in cumulative wage increases and enhanced overtime and training pay.

Persons: We're, Scott Kirby, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Baranjot Kaur, Nick Zieminski, Diane Craft, Aurora Ellis Organizations: United Airlines, Saturday, Air Line Pilots Association, United, ALPA, Delta Air Lines, Industry, Rival American Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Jefferies, Thomson Locations: Chicago, North America, Delta, United States, Bengaluru

☆ Delta Air forecasts stronger earnings on post-pandemic travel boom
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Rajesh Kumar Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The carrier's shares rose 4% before the bell as the raised forecast and record earnings fueled optimism about travel demand despite high inflation. Shares of rivals American Airlines (AAL.O), United Airlines (UAL.O) and Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) were also up about 2% each. Delta said it now expects adjusted earnings of $6-$7 per share this year, compared with its previous forecast of $5-$6 per share. It reported an adjusted profit of $2.68 per share for the second quarter, above the average analyst estimate of $2.40. Delta's total revenue per seat mile (TRASM), a proxy for pricing power, was up 1% in the second quarter from a year ago despite a 17% jump in capacity.

Persons: Ed Bastian, Bastian, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Shivansh, Leslie Adler, Maju Samuel Organizations: Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Labor, Reuters, Delta, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ US airline stock valuations stuck on runway despite travel boom
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Rajesh Kumar Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Jim Vondruska/File PhotoCHICAGO, July 12 (Reuters) - Relentless travel demand has sent bookings at U.S. carriers soaring, translating into bumper earnings. Airline shares have suffered because of bearish sentiment about the broader economy as interest rates are up sharply and inflation remains high, analysts said. There are still no signs of air travel demand waning as ticket purchases for the rest of 2023 are up 4%, said Steve Solomon, ARC's chief commercial officer. Believers in airline stocks have seen signs of hope this year. Global Investors' Holmes said airline shares are poised for even more gains.

Persons: Jim Vondruska, Refinitiv, Jefferies, Sheila Kahyaoglu, TD Cowen, Frank Holmes, Steve Solomon, Hopper, Hayley Berg, Hopper's, airfares, Holmes, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Ben Klayman, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Chicago Midway International, REUTERS, Airline, US Global Jets ETF, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Airlines, Global Investors, U.S . Transportation, Airlines Reporting Corporation, ARC, airfare, Delta, American Airlines, Global, Thomson Locations: Chicago , Illinois, U.S, Europe, United

In its lawsuit filed in March aimed at stopping JetBlue's purchase of Spirit, the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) cited as evidence JetBlue's alliance with American at airports in New York and Boston several times. Calling the partnership a "de facto merger," the DOJ argued that JetBlue's proposed purchase of Spirit, a Florida-based ultra-low cost carrier, would lead to further industry concentration. On Wednesday, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said ending the partnership with American has taken the DOJ's "misplaced" concerns off the table and would help when the Spirit case goes to trial in October. New York-based JetBlue, however, views the Spirit deal as a way to expand its domestic footprint amid persistent labor and aircraft shortages. American, Delta (DAL.N), United (UAL.O) and Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) control nearly 80% of the U.S. airline industry.

Persons: JetBlue's, Robin Hayes, Eleanor Fox, Fox, William Kovacic, James Speta, Speta, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Diane Bartz, David Shepardson, Richard Chang Organizations: JetBlue Airways, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, U.S . Justice Department, DOJ, Wednesday, JetBlue, American, New York University School of Law, Spirit, Former Federal Trade, George Washington University, Virgin America, Alaska Air Group, LaGuardia, Frontier Group Holdings, Northwestern University, Northeast Alliance, Southwest Airlines, U.S, Thomson Locations: CHICAGO, WASHINGTON, American, New York, Boston, Florida, Boston . New York, New, U.S, Chicago, Washington

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