United Continental’s board named former FAA boss Jane Garvey to be chairman, as the carrier works to improve operations and close a profit gap with rivals. Garvey succeeds Robert Milton, a former Air Canada CEO who led United’s board for two years and announced plans last month to step down. Garvey, who guided the FAA through the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, serves as North America chairman of investment firm Meridiam Infrastructure. She joined United’s board in 2009. As non-executive chairman, Garvey will oversee United CEO Oscar Munoz’s effort to widen profit margins to the levels enjoyed by Delta and American Airlines. United is also weighing an order of long-range jetliners and looking for a new CFO to work alongside President Scott Kirby, who is spearheading an expansion plan focused on winning back market share in key hubs such as Chicago and Denver.<br/>
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United has reached a “resolution” with the owners of a small French bulldog puppy that died during a flight after a cabin attendant ordered it stowed in an overhead bin in March, the carrier said Thursday. “We are deeply sorry for this tragic accident and have worked with the Robledo family to reach a resolution,” the carrier said. United did not disclose how much it would pay the family of the dog, Kokito, in the settlement. The March incident touched off fresh backlash against the carrier that has made headlines in recent years for various customer service failures. United has implemented new rules for its pet transport service, including barring certain breeds that are known to die during flights at higher rates than others. The carrier has also said it would begin issuing brightly colored bag tags to passengers traveling with in-cabin pets to help flight attendants easily identify the animals.<br/>
A passenger stricken with acute pancreatitis on a United Continental flight to Rome sued the airline over the crew’s refusal to land the plane so he could obtain treatment. Lewis Christman and his wife Roseanne filed a complaint against the airline alleging he suffered such severe pain and nausea during the May 2016 flight from Chicago that he was unable to sit up, and lay curled up on the galley floor in a fetal position. Upon landing, Christman was hospitalized, first in Rome and then in the US for months, and later required surgery, according to the complaint filed May 17 in Cook County, Illinois state court. "When there is an emergency situation with someone who was as sick as Mr. Christman was, United Airlines has an obligation to land the plane, and get him to the emergency room as quickly as possible," said David Axelrod, a lawyer for the plaintiffs. "We are aware of the suit and are looking into the matter," said a spokeswoman for United.<br/>
Aegean Airlines reduced net losses 14% in Q1 reporting a net loss of E30.8m, narrowed from a net loss of E35.8m in the year-ago quarter. Consolidated revenue was up 9% year-over-year (YOY) to E165.4m compared to E151.9m in Q1 2017. According to the company, RASK increased 2% to E5.8c euro cents. Yield declined 3% to E7.2c YOY and CASK also declined 1% to E5.9c. “Outlook for summer demand remains positive, despite the significant increase of competitor capacity,” MD Dimitris Gerogiannis said. “Recent further increases in the fuel price will, however, have an impact on our costs despite our effective hedging policy.” Aegean and its subsidiary Olympic Air carried 2.4m passengers in Q1, up 12% YOY compared to 2.1m the year-ago quarter. International passenger traffic rose 16% YOY to 1.3m. Domestic traffic was up 9% YOY to 1.1m. The carrier reported overall load factors of 81.2%, up 4.4 points YOY. The group operated 3% more flights despite the increased activity during the low season.<br/>
Air NZ is taking court action against BP and Z Energy over the cut in jet fuel supply after the rupture of Refining NZ's pipeline last year. The airline has started proceedings against its fuel suppliers in the High Court at Auckland after the disruption which it said cost it millions of dollars as flights were cancelled or diverted to other airports to refuel. While Air New Zealand was hardest hit, other airlines also had to take costly action to keep flying as fuel supplies were cut at the country's busiest airport. A Z Energy spokeswoman said her company had received a statement of claim from Air NZ for about $4.3m. Z would be defending the claim and, as the matter was before the court, she could no comment further. A BP spokeswoman had a similar response. Air NZ is not commenting on the preliminary proceedings which started Thursday. It could be next year before the case is heard.<br/>