Cathay Pacific fell 2.2% after its CE said the airline’s performance in H1 continued to be “disappointing” as competition from other carriers put downward pressure on yield and revenue. In a statement outlining the carrier’s June traffic figures, chief executive Rupert Hogg said the operating environment this year had remained challenging, as forecast when the company released 2016 earnings showing the first annual loss in eight years. Hogg said: "Our airlines’ performance in the first half of 2017 continued to be disappointing. In particular, strong competition from other airlines put intense and increasing pressure on passenger yield and revenue.<br/>Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon passenger numbers for the first six months of the year fell 0.5% year on year, while figures for June slipped 2.1% to 2.8m. Cargo fared better with tonnage rising 11.5% in the first six months of the year.<br/>
oneworld
BA is taking on Air NZ with the launch of a star-studded inflight safety video. In light of Comic Relief, or Red Nose Day in the UK, the British carrier has created an inflight safety information video with a lineup of local celebrities. BA has released a director's cut of the video - a spoof audition tape, showing famous stars auditioning for parts - ahead of its release in September. British comedian Asim Chaudhry, known by his stand-up name Chabuddy G, features in the six-minute long video, playing the part of a casting director, along with chef Gordon Ramsey, Rowan Atkinson, best known for his role of Mr Bean, and actress Thandie Newton. Set out like a casting audition, Chabuddy G interviews actor Chiwetel Ejiofor and other stars for the roles of the inflight narrators. This is followed by the celebrities reading out safety instructions. In the video Ramsey can be seen expressing himself in the explicit way he is known for. Veteran stars Sir Ian McKellen and Jim Broadbent, and actress Gillian Anderson take turns reading out lines. McKellen is teamed in a scene with actor Warwick Davies for a segment about air-supply masks. The director's cut version of the video finishes with Atkinson stumbling around trying to collect the coins he dropped on the floor, for donation. The full version safety video created to raise awareness for Comic Relief will be shown on all British Airways flights starting from September 1.<br/>
After 75 years with American Airlines, Azreil “Al” Blackman says he isn't thinking about retirement. "That's not my style," he said. Based out of New York City his entire career, the 91-year-old aviation maintenance technician started off making 50 cents an hour as an apprentice in the sheet metal shop, when American was known as American Export Airlines. Since then, Blackman has worked on some of aviation's most storied aircraft, from the Sikorsky flying boat that kicked off American's trans-Atlantic service, to the original jumbo jet, the Boeing 747. The former US Navy service member has dedicated his life to American Airlines aircraft. On Tuesday, his long-time employer returned the favor. At a ceremony at John F. Kennedy International Airport, a curtain dropped to reveal a Boeing 777 dedicated to his 75 years of service. The aircraft is capable of holding at least 247 people and flying American Airlines' longest routes. For the remainder of the jet's life at American Airlines, his name and signature will be inscribed to the left of the aircraft's main cabin door. Guinness World Records also awarded Blackman with the title of "Longest career as an airline mechanic." At the Tuesday ceremony the New York native climbed into the jet -- before it makes its inaugural trip to London Wednesday sporting its new paint job -- and received a sky-high tour of his hometown. Blackman says he has no plans to retire from his work any time soon.<br/>