GOL, the largest low-cost and low-fare airline in Latin America, completed last week ten years of regular operations, during which it expanded its operational fleet from six to 112 aircraft, achieving a Brazilian market share of close to 40 percent and establishing itself as one of the most profitable and fastest-growing airlines in the world.
Air Turk and Caicos announced that it will start daily flights from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic to the popular Caribbean hub of San Juan, Puerto Rico from April 15th, subject to regulatory approvals. The announcement was made at a lavish reception hosted for the airline by the Dominican Tourism Authorities at the upscale Hemingway’s Cafe in Puerto Plata.
Virgin America announced a firm order for 60 new Airbus A320 aircraft to be delivered starting in 2013, including 30 of the A320neo aircraft -- the first commercial order for the new eco-efficient engine option. This formalizes and expands an initial commitment made at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2010, but the announcement of the new fuel-saving A320neo is a new development in that deal.
Air Jamaica will continue as a separate brand under Caribbean Airlines’ ownership, and will feature new livery and a revamped fleet, said William Rodgers, Air Jamaica’s senior director of government and community affairs.
LAN Airlines S.A. and its subsidiaries reported its preliminary monthly traffic statistics and punctuality indicators for December 2010. During December, system passenger traffic increased 13.7 percent as capacity rose 8.8 percent. As a result, the company’s load factor for the month increased 3.4 points to 80.1 percent. International passenger traffic accounted for approximately 71 percent of total passenger traffic.
Europe-based easyJet has signed a contract to buy a further 15 A320 aircraft and to convert an existing order for 20 Airbus A319s into the larger A320 model. The agreement is part of an order book which now totals 242 Airbus A320 Family aircraft, making easyJet one of the world’s largest customers for this type