Air Jamaica’s President and CEO Bruce R. Nobles confirmed that the airline will maintain its current cargo services from Miami, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, despite its soon-to-be discontinued passenger service from these cities as part of its 2009 Business Plan. The recently announced plan is designed to improve productivity and bring the airline’s unit costs in line with international norms.
Air Canada reported a fourth quarter operating loss of $146 million compared to operating income of $72 million in the same quarter in 2007. Fuel expense increased $177 million or 29 percent from the fourth quarter of 2007. Passenger revenue decreased $14 million or 1 percent from the fourth quarter of 2007 due to a decline in traffic.
Air France/KLM reported that its third quarter reflected the deepening economic crisis. It reported stable revenues of 5.97 billion euros, a negative impact of fuel hedges on results, an operating loss of 194 million euros and a net loss of 505 million euros.
Holidaymakers have been warned to stay indoors, while many petrol stations, supermarkets and car hire offices remain closed following 37 days of protests at the high cost of living and low wages on the French Caribbean islands.
Despite the sour economic news of 2008, Carlson Wagonlit Travel reported its sales volume rose from $26 billion in 2007 to $27.8 billion last year, a 7 percent increase, according to CEO Douglas Anderson.
Thomas Cook has posted an upbeat quarterly trading statement, saying it is
confident of meeting full-year expectations. It also reported a
smaller-than-expected operating loss for the first quarter.