Fewer WestJet planes will be flying in and out Alberta’s 2 biggest cities as the oil downturn continues to bite. As of March, the airline says it will be reducing service between Calgary and Edmonton. Several more routes to and from those two cities are either being cancelled or scaled back. WestJet will also be removing flights between Calgary and two B.C. destinations — Terrace and Prince George. As well, it’s reducing the number of flights between Calgary and Brandon, Man., Fort McMurray, Alta., and between Edmonton and Nanaimo and Kamloops, B.C. And there will be reduced service between the provincial capital and Abbotsford, B.C., Grande Prairie, Alta. WestJet says it’s transferring more of its capacity to Eastern Canada, meaning more trips between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal as well as to Atlantic destinations like Halifax and Fredericton.<br/>
unaligned
Plummeting oil prices will mean an imminent end to govt financial support for Oman Air. The rapidly expanding carrier has been heavily underwritten for many years by the nation’s govt, which sees it as a tool to benefit the overall economy, notably by increasing inbound tourism. This financial support has enabled Oman Air to grow and raise awareness of Oman’s attractions as a leisure and business destination, the airline’s deputy chairman and Ministry of Tourism undersecretary Maitha Bint Saif Bin Majid Al Mahruqi said. However, the long-term aim has always been to create a sustainable, profitable business. And the fall of up to 70% in oil prices, while offering financial benefits for Oman Air, means national income has been heavily reduced. “Significant reductions in public expenditure are required,” Al Mahruqi said. “That means an imminent end to the govt’s financial support for Oman Air, requiring urgency in a rapid transition towards profitability.”<br/>
JetBlue Airways plans to launch a fully connected inflight experience on its Airbus A320s in which a new seat-back television system from Thales will be Wi-Fi connected, and high-speed Internet will be available free gate-to-gate. JetBlue said the A320 cabin “restyling” will begin in early 2017 “with completion targeted for 2019.” JetBlue has 130 A320s in its fleet. “A major focus of the new cabin will be keeping customers connected throughout their flight, including free gate-to-gate…high-speed Internet, a new Internet-enabled inflight entertainment system, high-definition seatback televisions, and in-seat power outlets with USB ports,” JetBlue said. Each seat will include a new 10-inch, high-definition touch screen television. A streaming TV inflight entertainment (IFE) system will be provided by Thales. As part of the overhaul, the number of available live DirecTV channels will increase from 36 to 100.<br/>
The China Securities Regulatory Commission has approved Juneyao Airlines to receive CNY3.57b (US$543m) for fleet expansion. Out of the total, CNY2.7b would be used to purchase 4 Airbus A320s, 3 spare engines and 2 simulators. Also, CNY500m would be used to pay off bank loans and the remaining CNY165m would be used to launch an online travel agency with a Chinese travel company in which Juneyao would hold a 55% stake. The carrier operates a fleet of 50 A320s, excluding its low-cost subsidiary 9 Air. Juneyao received approval from CAAC to buy 33 more aircraft between 2014 and 2018. It plans to expand its fleet to 90 aircraft in 2019. Local aviation analysts expect Juneyao to benefit from Shanghai Disney Resorts, which is scheduled to open June 16. The carrier estimates it will report a net profit of CNY1.23b, CNY1.6b and 2b for 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.<br/>