Canada’s Transat AT, parent of Air Transat, reports a profitable fiscal fourth quarter boosted by a C$37m ($26m) compensation agreement with geared turbofan (GTF) engine maker Pratt & Whitney. The Montreal-based company said on 12 December that it recorded a C$41m fiscal fourth-quarter profit, compared with an C$89m profit during the period ending 31 October of last year. Revenue for the period was up about 3%, year on year, to C$789m. CE Annick Guerard attributes the results to ”higher traffic, lower fuel costs and financial compensation from P&W related to grounded aircraft over the past two years”. P&W is amidst a years-long recall of GTF engines for potential manufacturing defects, which has grounded hundreds of Airbus A320neos, A220s and Embraer E-Jet E2s worldwide. Cirium fleet data shows leisure-focused airline Air Transat has seven A321neos listed as “in storage”, meaning they have been grounded for more than 30 days. The jets could be in storage for reasons beyond GTF engine inspections and repairs. Transat has 12 A321LRs in service, according to Cirium. The carrier previously disclosed reaching terms with P&W for a compensation package but did not provide financial details at the time. <br/>
unaligned
Scottish regional carrier Loganair is highlighting operational disruption and supply-chain issues after it turned in a lower full-year profit. The carrier says its profit for the 12 months to 31 March 2024 reached GBP6.9m, compared with the GBP11m pre-tax and GBP10.2m net recorded for the previous year. Loganair says the performance continues a “positive financial trend” but admits it illustrates “challenges” experienced by the carrier, which invested heavily in a fleet transition during the period, shifting from Saab 340s to ATRs. The airline, which operates 36 aircraft, transported 1.5m scheduled passengers over 2023-24. Loganair chief Luke Farajallah says the financial year’s results “reflect an environment where many, often industry-wide, obstacles had to be overcome”. But he says that, following the fleet renewal, the carrier’s focus is to improve operational performance and reduce costs, including those relating to flight disruption.<br/>
Air Tanzania has been formally blacklisted by the European Commission, following safety concerns identified at the flag-carrier. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has also denied third-country operator authorisation to the airline, a prerequisite for conducting services to European destinations. “We strongly urge Air Tanzania to take swift and decisive action to address these safety issues,” says sustainable transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikkostas, adding that the Commission is offering assistance to Tanzanian authorities. Air Tanzania has a mixed fleet of modern aircraft types including Boeing 787s, 737 Max jets, and Airbus A220s. It is one of two African airlines – alongside Air Zimbabwe – and seven carriers in total to receive a specific outright prohibition. But the latest revision of the blacklist confirms the lifting of an EASA suspension imposed on Pakistan International Airlines after improvements in oversight by the country’s regulator. “PIA is now allowed to resume operations to the EU,” says the Commission. The blacklist update includes 15 blanket bans on countries over regulatory shortcomings, collectively affection 100 airlines.<br/>
A group of Akasa Air pilots have raised concerns about safety and training standards at the airline, seeking an independent investigation by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The airline, however, termed the allegations as untrue. In a letter dated December 11, the section of Akasa Air pilots wrote to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu and highlighted alleged unfair practices, harassment and safety concerns. The pilots flagged high failure rate among the pilots, claiming 216 pilots have failed simulator and aircraft evaluations. They also claimed that 84 pilots have resigned on one-day notice. In a statement, Akasa Air denied the allegations made by the pilots. "We categorically deny these allegations as baseless and untrue. Nor do they represent the views of Akasa pilots," an airline spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday, as reported by news agency PTI.<br/>