DUBAI
(Reuters) – State-owned Qatar Airways on Thursday dismissed concerns
its 49 percent stake in Air Italy breaches a 2018 aviation agreement
between the United States and Qatar, designed to address U.S. concerns
that Gulf airlines had an unfair competitive advantage.
The
U.S is “looking very closely” at the deal after Republicans and
Democrats said on Wednesday they were concerned it violated the
agreement.
Qatar
Airways bought a stake in Italian airline Meridiana in 2017, rebranded
it Air Italy and transformed it into a carrier with five announced
non-stop U.S. destinations from Milan.
Qatar
Airways said the stake was “fully compliant” with the 2018 U.S.-Qatar
Understandings, an additional pact that accompanied the U.S-Qatar Open
Skies agreement.
Since 2015 the largest U.S carriers – Delta Air Lines, American Airlines Group and United Airlines – have argued their Gulf rivals are being unfairly subsidized by their governments, distorting competition.
Gulf
airlines have always denied those accusations and last year separate
voluntary agreements were reached between the U.S. and Qatar, and the
U.S. and the United Arab Emirates to address the concerns. Measures
included the airlines not adding new flights to the U.S.
However,
Air Italy has been flying to New York and Miami since June last year
and was due to start serving San Francisco and Los Angeles from this
month and Chicago in May.
Qatar
Airways said in a statement its investment in Air Italy, which closed
in September 2017, preceded the 2018 agreement but complied with it.
It
said its investments in other airlines were not raised as a point of
concern during the discussions that led to the 2018 agreement and that
the deal does not mention or prohibit cross-border investments.
Qatar Airways also said it did not codeshare on Air Italy’s flights to the U.S. and has no plans to do so.
(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
The expansion project at Chicago O’Hare is expected to cost $8.5 billion and is hoped to increase the ease with which passengers travel through the terminal, increasing the passenger experience.
The City of Chicago has announced the selection of an architect team to lead the design of the unprecedented $8.5 billion expansion programme for O’Hare International Airport. Studio ORD has been selected to design the new O’Hare Global Terminal and Global Concourse. Studio ORD will work with the City of Chicago and the airlines to design the new Global Terminal and Concourse.
Rumors are starting to swirl that United Airlines is considering backing out of a $69 million deal to add its name to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The deal, which was offered to the University of Southern California in 2018, was offered by the Chicago-based airline to call the stadium “The United Airlines Memorial Coliseum.”
The deal, which was offered to the University of Southern California in 2018, was offered by the Chicago-based airline to call the stadium “The United Airlines Memorial Coliseum.”
Once the deal became public knowledge, criticism began to mount that the re-branding could tarnish the image of the stadium that was named in honor of those lost during World War I.
The Coliseum is currently going under a $270 million renovation by the university, which has responded to the airlines concerns by stating that “They are open to accepting the wishes of the veteran community to modify the name change agreement.”
United Airlines has responded to university officials that it has made “a significant commitment to financing this project” in exchange for the naming rights. The airline went on to add that “If USC is not in a position to honor the terms of the agreement, including in particular the name change, United would be amenable to abiding by the wishes of the community, stepping away from this partnership with USC, and mutually terminating the agreement.”
USC has responded that they are “open” to changing the agreement, but did not provide any further details.
CHICAGO
(Reuters) – United Continental Holdings is applying for six of 12 new
slots open to U.S. carriers at Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport in a
push to increase daily nonstop flights to the Japanese capital ahead of
the 2020 Olympic Games and beyond.
Haneda
is located closer to downtown Tokyo than the capital’s other
international airport Narita, and flies to more destinations throughout
Japan, making it attractive for both business travelers and tourists.
Thursday
is the deadline for applications to the U.S. Department of
Transportation for the 12 extra Haneda slots that Japan has agreed to
allot to U.S. airlines.
The
extra slots for U.S. airlines were unlocked after Japan reached an
agreement with the U.S. Air Force to open up new flight paths around a
nearby U.S. air base, a move needed to boost Haneda movements in the
run-up to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Completion
of an aviation agreement between the U.S. and Japanese governments is
expected later this year, United said. Flights are expected to begin
service by the summer of 2020, once the U.S. Department of
Transportation awards the slots.
U.S. carriers American Airlines Group, Delta Air Lines and Hawaiian Airlines are also expected to bid.
United
wants to fly to Haneda from its hubs at Newark Liberty, Chicago O’Hare,
Washington Dulles, Los Angeles International, Houston George Bush and
Guam. The flights from Newark, Los Angeles and Guam would be new routes
operated by Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft, while the flights from the
other three hubs would be shifted from Narita.
Under
the proposal, United said it would connect to 37 destinations in Japan
from Haneda with its joint venture partner All Nippon Airways (ANA).
Industry
analysts say a recent sale of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to ANA may have
weighed in the decision to grant more flying rights for U.S. airlines
into Haneda, which airlines compete for aggressively due to the
airport’s proximity to the Japanese capital, a major center for global
commerce.
(Reporting by Tracy Rucinski; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
A United Airlines plane with the Continental Airlines logo on its tail, sits at a gate at O’Hare International airport in Chicago October 1, 2010. REUTERS/Frank Polich/File Photo
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) and Hapag-Lloyd AG (XETR: HLAG) (FWB : HLG) today announced an extension of their long-term agreement to the benefit of the international supply chain, the movement of cargo through the ports of Montreal and Vancouver, and the overall North American economy.
“We are incredibly proud to continue to work with Hapag-Lloyd,” said Keith Creel, CP President and CEO. “This long-term agreement is built on service, reliability and trust. On behalf of the 13,000-strong CP family, particularly those on the ground who ensure we provide exceptional service, we are excited to continue to work closely with Hapag-Lloyd as their preferred rail carrier in Canada.”
In close collaboration, the two companies have built a track record of reliable service on sea and on land for their customers.
“Customers expect reliable supply chains, and in CP we have found a company that delivers consistently, every day,” said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd. “With CP we are able to handle more cargo and take advantage of shorter routes to key markets, and provide long-term value to our customers.”
The agreement will allow Hapag-Lloyd’s customers to benefit from CP’s growing network of transload facilities, its innovative live-lift operation at Portal, North Dakota, and the fastest transit times between Vancouver and the Twin Cities, Chicago and beyond.
From Vancouver and Montreal, CP connects its customers to markets across Canada and the United States. CP’s intermodal franchise has the lowest on-dock dwell and best on-time performance at the Port of Vancouver and Port of Montreal, ensuring faster end-to-end transits for shippers.
Note on forward-looking information
This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, “forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, objectives, assumptions and statements about possible future events, conditions, and results of operations or performance. Forward-looking information may contain statements with words or headings such as “financial expectations”, “key assumptions”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “will”, “outlook”, “should” or similar words suggesting future outcomes. This news release contains forward-looking information relating, but not limited to, the success of our business, our operations, priorities and plans, as well as anticipated financial and operational performance, including with respect to CP’s network of transload facilities and anticipated increases in cargo service.
DENVER, Colo. – Low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines continues to add routes, announcing five more non-stop flights from Branson Airport (BKG), Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport (CLE), and Nashville International Airport (BNA). Service begins in spring 2019. To celebrate the addition of these new flights, Frontier is offering introductory one-way fares as low as $29*, available now on flyfrontier.com.
Routes & Frequency:
Branson:
Cleveland:
Nashville:
Frequency and times are subject to change, so please check FlyFrontier.com for the most updated schedule.
Additionally, Frontier is expanding service between Chicago (ORD) and both Fort Myers and Tampa into the summer season with flights twice/week to Fort Myers and 3 times/week to Tampa.
“With this announcement, Frontier has now added 34 new routes for 2019 across the country,” said Daniel Shurz, Senior Vice President, Commercial for Frontier Airlines. “We continue to make air travel more accessible and affordable and we look forward to making it easier for people to fly, and for people to fly more often.”
Frontier is focused on more than low fares. The carrier offers customers the ability to customize travel to their needs and budget. For example, customers can purchase options a la carte or in one low-priced bundle called the WORKSsm. This bundle includes refundability, a carry-on bag, a checked bag, the best available seat, waived change fees and priority boarding.
The airline’s frequent flier program, FRONTIER Miles lets members enjoy many benefits as well as attain Elite status. Like the airline, FRONTIER Miles is family friendly, and the program makes it easy for families to enjoy the rewards together, including family pooling of miles. FRONTIER Milesis aptly named, because you earn one mile for every mile flown – no funny formulas at Frontier. If a customer travels a little or a lot, they will find FRONTIER Miles rewarding.
Frontier flies one of the youngest fleets in the industry, the Airbus A320 Family of more than 80 jet aircraft. With nearly 200 new planes on order, Frontier will continue to grow to deliver on the mission of providing affordable travel across America. Frontier’s young fleet also ensures that the company will continue to keep fares low and that customers will enjoy a pleasant and reliable experience flying with the airline.
Frontier wants its customers to have more options when they fly and there is no fee for reservation changes made 90 days or more from the travel date. If you need to make a change between 89 and 14 days from departure, the fee is only $49. Changes made 13 days or less from travel cost $119. When making a change, customers just pay any increase in fare that applies.
*About Intro Fare Offer:
Fares must be purchased by 11:59 pm Eastern time on Jan. 17, 2019 for nonstop travel. Travel is valid Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays dependent on days of operation through June 13, 2019. The following blackout date applies, May 28, 2019. Fares are one-way and do not require roundtrip purchase.
ROME (Reuters) – Air Italy will start flying to Chicago next year, a move likely to revive a dispute between its minority shareholder Qatar Airways and U.S rivals trying to squeeze Gulf operators out of their domestic market.
Formerly known as Meridiana, Air Italy is the country’s second-largest airline, behind ailing Alitalia [CAITLA.UL], and state-owned Qatar Airways holds a 49 percent stake in it.
Air Italy will fly to Chicago three times a week from Milan Malpensa airport starting from May 14, 2019, Chief Operating Officer Rossen Dimitrov told Reuters.
Since 2015 the largest U.S carriers — Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), American Airlines Group (AAL.O) and United Airlines (UAL.N) — have argued their Gulf rivals are being unfairly subsidised by their governments, distorting competition.
Gulf airlines have always denied those accusations and in May the companies reached a voluntary agreement, saying they would not add new flights to the United States.
However, Air Italy has been flying to New York and Miami since June and will start serving San Francisco and Los Angeles from April 2019.
That has drawn criticism from an alliance of U.S.-based airlines grouped in the “Partnership for Open & Fair Skies”, that Qatar Airways is using Air Italy to offer additional flights between the U.S. and Europe, despite the agreement.
“Once again, Qatar is using Air Italy as a Trojan horse built from subsidized cash to avoid its commitments to the Trump administration and launch new … routes,” said Scott Reed, campaign manager for the Partnership for Open & Fair Skies.
In an emailed statement, Reed called on U.S. President Donald Trump to intercede on the behalf of U.S. airlines.
Dimitrov tried to dismiss any suggestion that Air Italy was acting improperly, noting that Qatar Airways was a minority shareholder.
“They do not dictate what we do and where we go. They do not manage us,” he said.
He added that he would be happy to work with the U.S airlines under code-share agreements, from which both sides would benefit, “rather than spending time and money fighting each other”.
The opening of the Chicago route next year is part of a wider plan, announced in May, in which the airline aims to grow its fleet and passenger numbers fourfold by 2022.
(Reporting by Giulia Segreti and Alberto Sisto; Editing by Keith Weir and Crispian Balmer)
SAO PAULO and CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Embraer [B3: EMBR3, NYSE: ERJ] and Boeing [NYSE: BA] have approved to the terms of a strategic partnership that would position both companies to accelerate growth in global aerospace markets.
The approved terms define the joint venture comprising the commercial aircraft and services operations of Embraer, in which Boeing will hold an 80 percent ownership stake and Embraer will hold the remaining 20 percent. The transaction remains subject to approval by the Government of Brazil, after which Embraer and Boeing intend to execute definitive transaction documents. The closing of the transaction will then be subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Under the terms of the proposed partnership, Boeing will acquire an 80 percent ownership stake in the joint venture for $4.2 billion. The partnership is expected to be neutral to Boeing’s earnings per share in 2020 and accretive thereafter. Estimated annual pre-tax cost synergies of approximately $150 million are anticipated by the third year of operations.
Once the transaction has closed, the commercial aviation joint venture will be led by Brazil-based management, including a president and chief executive officer. Boeing will have operational and management control of the new company, which will report directly to Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing chairman, president and chief executive officer. Embraer will retain consent rights for certain strategic decisions, such as transfer of operations from Brazil.
“Boeing and Embraer know each other well through more than two decades of collaboration, and the respect we have for each other and the value we see in this partnership has only increased since we announced our joint efforts earlier this year,” said Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing chairman, president and chief executive officer.
“We are confident that this partnership will deliver great value to Brazil and the Brazilian aerospace industry as a whole. This alliance will strengthen both companies in the global market and is aligned with our long-term sustainable growth strategy,” said Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva, Embraer president and chief executive officer.
The companies have also agreed to the terms of another joint venture to promote and develop new markets for the multi-mission medium airlift KC-390. Under the terms of this proposed partnership, Embraer will own a 51 percent stake in the joint venture, with Boeing owning the remaining 49 percent.
The transaction is subject to approval by the Government of Brazil, ratification by the Embraer Board of Directors and its further authorization to execute the definitive transaction documents. Once the parties have executed the definitive transaction agreements, the strategic partnership will then be subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, as well as other customary closing conditions. Assuming the approvals are received in a timely manner, the transaction is intended to close by the end of 2019.
Forward-Looking Information Is Subject to Risk and Uncertainty Certain statements in this release may be “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the proposed terms of the transaction, the ability of the parties to satisfy the conditions to executing or closing the transaction and the timing thereof, and the benefits and synergies of the proposed transaction, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions about future events that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. As a result, these statements speak only as of the date they are made and neither party undertakes an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include the effect of global economic conditions, the ability of the parties to reach final agreement on a transaction, consummate such a transaction and realize anticipated synergies, and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in the filings of The Boeing Company and/or Embraer with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CHICAGO (December 10, 2018) — Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the opening of Hyatt Regency Seattle, located in the heart of downtown at 808 Howell Street and near some of Seattle’s top attractions including the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Pike Place Market. With its sprawling, dynamic event space and number of guestrooms, Hyatt Regency Seattle is the largest hotel in the Pacific Northwest and new premier destination for meetings and events in the region. It joins two other Seattle-area Hyatt Regency hotels and offers a one-stop experience that puts everything guests need right at their fingertips.
The 45-story hotel features 1,260 guestrooms, all of which are furnished with floor-to-ceiling windows, sizeable modern bathrooms, 65-inch TVs and a collection of black-and-white photography, shot by six Seattle-based photographers, highlighting the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest region. The hotel also offers guests a StayFit® Fitness Center, outfitted with Peloton bikes and other Technogym state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment, and an expansive Hyatt Regency Club lounge with fire pits and wraparound patio that provides guests with stellar views of downtown Seattle.
Located just two short blocks from the Washington State Convention Center and adjacent to The Summit, the planned convention center expansion building slated to open Spring 2022, Hyatt Regency Seattle offers more than 103,000 square feet of dynamic meeting and event space for a variety of gatherings, ranging from intimate meetings to larger conferences and weddings.
“Progress is all around us,” says Hyatt Regency Seattle General Manager Tom Wolf. “No other addition to Seattle’s vastly updated cityscape is more important for Seattle tourism than the new, very visible contemporary building right in the middle of town: Hyatt Regency Seattle. With the opening of the largest hotel in the Pacific Northwest this year, Seattle will finally have the meeting space options it needs.”
Consistent with the Pacific Northwest theme throughout the property, meeting and event spaces are named after bodies of water located throughout Washington state:
The Columbia and Regency Ballrooms each offer 19,000+ square feet of space with 24- and 30-foot high ceilings, respectively.
Two junior ballrooms: Elwha Ballroom is 7,200 square feet, while Quinault Ballroom has 3,400 square feet of functional meeting space.
The high-end Deschutes Executive Boardroom, featuring a private balcony that can accommodate 24 people.
Eight pre-function spaces, each ranging from 4,292 to 7,022 square feet, which are flooded in natural light.
An additional 46 meeting rooms, ranging from 600 to 1,900 square feet, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows.
All meetings rooms are outfitted with audiovisual equipment, multiple electrical, microphone and phone outlets, as well as blackout blinds and T1 high-speed Internet with dedicated bandwidth capabilities.
The new Hyatt Regency Seattle also offers guests three on-site dining experiences:
Andare, a fast-casual Italian-style trattoria, which features a variety of homemade pasta dishes, salads and pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven
Daniel’s Broiler, an upscale and locally renowned steakhouse owned by Schwartz Bros. Restaurants, which features USDA Prime steaks, seafood, an extensive wine list and a vast collection of whiskeys, as well as a piano bar
The Market, a 24-hour premium grab-and-go retail space with café seating, where guests can purchase freshly prepared hot and cold food and beverage items.
Built by local developer R.C. Hedreen Company, in collaboration with Seattle-based companies LMN Architects and Sellen Construction Group, the new hotel features elements that celebrate the Pacific Northwest region and can be seen throughout the property’s guestrooms and public spaces. Upon arriving, guests will notice the bright, open, and contemporary design, matched with floor-to-ceiling windows to let in as much natural light as possible, and purposefully selected, locally inspired art and photography.
R.C. Hedreen Company successfully builds and operates hotels in Seattle, and its portfolio includes Grand Hyatt Seattle and Hyatt Olive 8. To leave a lasting impact on the Pacific Northwest region with Hyatt Regency Seattle, local companies who understand Seattle real estate, LMN and Sellen, were brought in to collaborate, design and build the impressive sky-high hotel. LMN believes that architecture celebrates the inherent qualities of the region, community and site. Any new building functions in relationship to the fabric of its physical location and community of users, as well as its social, cultural and environmental context. Sellen is Seattle’s premiere builder – building communities, relationships and of course most of the significant buildings in town.
Additionally, Hyatt Regency Seattle is targeting LEED Gold Certification in 2019, which is the second highest green building rating in the world. As part of their efforts, Hyatt Regency Seattle has incorporated many sustainable elements into its guest amenities and overall design, including:
Premium large-format bath amenities in each guestroom bathroom, saving more than one million plastic bottles in waste.
Installing a light-colored roof to reduce the urban heat-island effect.
Incorporating a highly efficient laundry system that captures both heat and water after use to reduce the need for additional energy to preheat incoming water to the laundry system.
For more information about Hyatt Regency Seattle or to book your accommodations, please visit hyattregencyseattle.com.
DENVER, Nov. 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — United Airlines (UAL), the U.S. carrier with the most service to Germany, today announced it will begin its 15th daily nonstop flight between the United States and Germany from its hub at Denver International Airport. The airline announced it will begin year-round service between Denver and Frankfurt, Germany, beginning May 2, 2019, subject to government approval. Tickets are now available for purchase on united.com.
United’s new service between Denver and Frankfurt is the only nonstop service from Denver to Germany by a U.S. carrier and is the airline’s ninth flight between the United States and Frankfurt. United currently operates daily nonstop service between Frankfurt and its hubs in Chicago, Houston, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington Dulles.
Denver (DEN) – Frankfurt (FRA) starts May 2, 2019
Flight
Frequency
City Pair
Depart
Arrive
Aircraft
UA 182
Daily
DEN – FRA
3:40 p.m.
09:20 a.m. +1day
Boeing 787
UA 181
Daily
FRA – DEN
11:05 a.m.
1:20 p.m.
Boeing 787
From Denver, United will connect more than 60 cities across the Western United States including Las Vegas, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Seattle to Frankfurt.
“United is committed to expanding our global network for our customers and our employees and we are excited to continue this growth with the addition of new service between Denver and Frankfurt,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s vice president of International Network. “From the mid-continent United States to the rest of the world, United offers customers more choice and more international flights and destinations than any other carrier.”
United Airlines has served the Denver community since 1937 and is the only airline to continuously operate service in Denver – operating 6.5 million flights and serving more than 580 million customers.
“We are appreciative to have such a great partnership with United Airlines and that they continue to grow and invest in Denver with the addition of this new year-round transatlantic service,” said DEN CEO Kim Day.
United Airlines in Germany
United Airlines has continuously served Germany for more than 28 years, when the airline began daily service between Frankfurt and its Chicago and Washington Dulles hubs. In addition to United’s new daily service between Denver and Frankfurt, the airline offers customers daily, year-round service to Frankfurt from its hubs in Chicago, Houston, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington Dulles. United also operates daily nonstop service from Munich to Chicago, Houston, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington Dulles, and year-round nonstop service between New York/Newark and Berlin/Tegel. Additionally, United offers seasonal service between Munich and San Francisco. All flights are conveniently timed to connect at United’s U.S. hubs with an extensive connecting network to destinations throughout the United States and beyond.
United Airlines in Denver
Denver International Airport, a United hub since 1937, offers customers more than 400 flights daily across its domestic network and more than 15 international flights to key business and leisure destinations in five countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. The airport is the region’s key gateway to international economic and tourism development.
Customers traveling to the U.S. from Frankfurt can conveniently connect to hundreds of U.S. destinations including easy connecting services between Denver and Jackson Hole and Aspen, popular ski destinations for European visitors.
About United
United Airlines and United Express operate approximately 4,700 flights a day to 356 airports across five continents. In 2017, United and United Express operated more than 1.6 million flights carrying more than 148 million customers. United is proud to have the world’s most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark/New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates 760 mainline aircraft and the airline’s United Express carriers operate 546 regional aircraft. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 193 countries via 28 member airlines. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United’s parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL”.
SOURCE United Airlines
For further information: United Airlines Worldwide Media Relations, 872-825-8640, media.relations@united.com
For further information: United Airlines Worldwide Media Relations, 872-825-8640, media.relations@united.com