IATA says air traffic may have leveled off in June from earlier plunge; lower fares helped

September 1st, 2009 Airline industry lost over $6 billion in 1st halfGENEVA — Airline companies lost more than $6 billion during the first half of the year due to the economic crisis, even as fresh figures showed some signs of recovery in the passenger and freight business, an industry group said Tuesday. A sample of more than 50 airlines found their losses declined to $2 billion in the second quarter from $4 billion in the first quarter, the International Air Transport Association said, noting that the April-June period is usually a strong one for the industry.

September 1st, 2009 GENEVA - Over 50 global carriers lost $6 billion (Rs.30,000 crore) in January-June this year, according to the sector's representative body International Air Transport Association. In a statement Tuesday, IATA also said the losses stood at $2.02 billion (Rs.10,000 crore) in the second quarter this year (April-June) and forecast cumulative losses of $9 billion (Rs.45,000) for the year.

August 3rd, 2009 India's exports plunge 27.7 percent in JuneMUMBAI, India — India's merchandise exports fell by more than a quarter in June, the Ministry of Commerce said Monday, marking the nation's ninth month of steeply declining trade. Merchandise exports were valued at 612.17 billion rupees ($12.8 billion), down 27.7 percent in dollar terms from 759.3 billion rupees ($17.7 billion) a year earlier, according to government figures.

July 28th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government Tuesday signed a pact with International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents some 230 airlines comprising over 90 percent of scheduled air traffic globally, on skill development in the aviation sector. Under the pact signed in Geneva, IATA will help Indian aviation industry personnel enhance skills to help them match global standards, the government said Tuesday.

July 22nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Beleaguered national carrier Air India, struggling to stay afloat, announced special fares on select domestic routes Wedmnesdy to attract passengers during the lean monsoon season. The airline said in a statement that tickets under the special fares could be purchased up to three days before the travel and would be valid till Sep 20.

July 20th, 2009 Earnings Preview: AirTran AirwaysATLANTA — AirTran Holdings Inc., operator of discount carrier AirTran Airways, reports second-quarter results on Wednesday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.

July 16th, 2009 IATA: Premium air travel down 23.6 percent in MayMINNEAPOLIS — Global airline passenger travel dropped faster in May than in the previous months, a trade group reported on Thursday, suggesting that things are not getting better for air carriers. The number of passengers flying on premium tickets fell 23.6 percent in May compared with May 2008, according to the International Air Transport Association.

July 8th, 2009 Airline traffic fell again in JuneDALLAS — Airline traffic fell again in June, providing another sign that most carriers are likely to report large financial losses for the second quarter. A downturn in business travel has robbed the airlines of their best customers.

June 16th, 2009 IATA: Premium travel dropped 22 percent in AprilMINNEAPOLIS — More evidence emerged Tuesday that a bad economy pushes passengers to the back of the plane, as a trade group reported that traffic in the high-end airline seats fell 22 percent in April. Revenue from those passengers fell even faster, down an estimated 44 percent from April 2008, the International Air Transport Association reported.

June 4th, 2009 IATA: Airline 2009 losses to exceed $4.7 billionKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The International Air Transport Association called for more liberalization to bolster the global airline industry, which is expected to lose more than $4.7 billion this year because of falling cargo and passenger traffic. IATA Director-General Giovanni Bisignani said airlines are facing an "emergency situation" and should be given greater commercial freedom to serve global markets and consolidate.

April 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India's flagship carrier Air India Monday said it has no 'immediate' plan to raise fares even as other airlines Kingfisher and Jet Airways have hiked fares on account of rising fuel costs. Ruling out any immediate fare hike, an Air India spokesperson told IANS: 'We have been No.3 for quite sometime.

February 12th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Following are the reduction in fares announced in the interim railway budget presented Friday: * Rs.1 reduction in passenger fares on tickets costing up to Rs.50 for non suburban mail, express and ordinary passenger trains for journey above 10 km; This reduction will not be applicable for second class rail journey up to 10 km * Fares of second class and sleeper class fares of all trains reduced * Fares of AC first class, AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier and AC chair car also reduced by 2 percent

February 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Airlines including low-cost carriers have withdrawn all promotional fares and increased basic fares by around Rs.2,000 on several sectors from Tuesday. The decision was taken as operators were faced with low load factors, though basic promotional fares had been as low as Rs.99 on many routes, industry sources said.

January 12th, 2009 KOLKATA - West Bengal would review bus and taxi fares when the central government reduces fuel prices, Transport Minister Sunbhas Chakraborty said here Tuesday. 'The government of India has not issued any notification so far.

January 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - India's leading private carrier Jet Airways, which cut domestic fares by up to 40 percent last week, said it has no plans to slash fares on international routes. 'We don't have any proposal right now to cut fares on our international routes,' Jet Airways spokesman A.K.