Deputy transport minister Thaworn Senneam has expressed confidence that loss-ridden THAI will be able to stage a turnaround and start making profits within 3 years. The carrier is undergoing a rehabilitation plan, including cutting back on internal expenses and boosting digital marketing, he said after a meeting with THAI and Thai Smile Airways executives Thursday. THAI president Sumeth Damrongchaitham said staff are gathering additional information on the airline's plan to buy or lease 38 new aircraft, estimated to cost THB130b, before sending the details to the cabinet for approval. He believes the rehabilitation plan will pay off and THAI will start to make a profit within 3 to 5 years. The rehabilitation plan is aimed at addressing its almost THB100b debt that has accumulated over the past 10 years. <br/>
star
The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel went out for Avianca Brasil as Brazilian civil aviation agency ANAC redistributed its prized slots at São Paulo Congonhas Wednesday and a majority of appeals judges voted to liquidate the carrier, in bankruptcy protection since December. Even the name is gone, as Colombia’s Avianca did not renew the license. ANAC announced on Wednesday the distribution of the 41 daily slots used by Avianca Brasil at Congonhas, awarding 15 to Azul, 12 to MAP Linhas Aéreas, and 14 to Passaredo, the last two being regional airlines that will have to prove their ability to use the slots. Two Flex, which operates Brazil’s largest Caravan fleet, also received 14 new slots--using the auxiliary runway due to the type of aircraft they operate. <br/>
United Airlines wants airport agents to monitor what it calls a “a growing trend” of so-called hidden-city ticketing, or passengers who book cheap fares to cities they do not intend to visit to save money. United is asking agents to cite possible scofflaws to its corporate security department, according to a new internal memo. “This practice can potentially offer discounts on airfare and [is] not aligned with United’s contract of carriage,” the airline told airport customer service workers. “As the practice grows, we need to ensure that we’re both supporting our customers and properly enforcing the contract of carriage rules and United policies.” However, since the Dr Dao incident in April 2017, United has asked its employees to use care when confronting passengers. <br/>