Market News

Continental Airlines (CAL)

Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL) will begin charging coach customers extra if they want a seat with more legroom, according to The Baltimore Sun. Starting March 17, coach customers will be able to pay the charge at check-in to get an exit-row seat with at least 7 inches more legroom than the other rows, Continental said Wednesday.
"Seats with additional legroom are higher-value seats, and we want to offer them to customers who recognize that value," said Jim Compton, Continental's executive vice president and chief marketing officer. As reported earlier in MarketBeast, airlines are now looking at any possible way to increase their revenue per flying passenger.

Mar 4 · 6:18:00 AM · Source: The Baltimore Sun
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by Steve Wieczorek

Southwest Airlines (LUV)

The stocks of many of the major carriers have nearly doubled in price since early November 2009. Similar to most industry groups, the airline stocks trade together. The best airline of the group is Southwest Airlines Co (NYSE:LUV), according to Inthemoneystocks.com.
Southwest Airlines Co is trading above its daily 20 and 50 moving averages, which signal that the trend is up and the stock has good support at $12.00. This company also has a slightly different business model from the legacy carriers in that they have only one type of aircraft that they fly. This factor in their business model has kept this airline profitable for many years as most of the others struggle to survive and make profits.

Mar 4 · 6:12:00 AM · Source: Inthemoneystocks.com
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by Steve Wieczorek

United Parcel Service (UPS)

Goldman Sachs initiates coverage on Air Freight with an Attractive coverage view and on Railroads and Trucking with Neutral coverage views, according to the streetinsider.com. In Air Freight, the firm's top top pick is UPS (NYSE: UPS) and they are adding the stock to their Conviction Buy List with a $76 price target.
The firm said, "UPS offers the highest returns in the industry, has attractive international growth prospects, and faces relatively few significant regulatory headwinds." The firm rates FedEx (NYSE: FDX) Neutral.

Mar 4 · 6:06:00 AM · Source: StreetInsider.com
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by Steve Wieczorek

China Eastern Airlines (CEA)

Speaking to Reuters, a China Eastern Airlines (NYSE:CEA) senior executive, who asked not to be identified, said the carrier was looking to join either Star Alliance, oneworld or SkyTeam in order to boost its profile, according to E-TravelAsia.com. He said the carrier did not have a preferred partner so far despite Shanghai Airlines, which China Eastern recently acquired, being a part of Star Alliance.
China Eastern spokesman Luo Zhuping confirmed the reports but declined to say when a decision on which one to join would be made. However, as previously reported in MarketBeast, China Eastern is in advanced talks with AMR Corp (NYSE:AMR), American Airlines parent to bring it into the oneworld Alliance.

Mar 2 · 12:28:00 PM · Source: ETravelBlackboardAsia.com
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by Steve Wieczorek

Continental Airlines (CAL)

Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today reported a February consolidated (mainline plus regional) load factor of 77.7 percent, 5.2 points above the February 2009 consolidated load factor, and a mainline load factor of 78.1 percent, 5.2 points above the February 2009 mainline load factor. Both February load factors were records for the month.
Continental estimates that the suspension of operations at its New York hub on February 10, 2010, and February 26, 2010, due to severe winter weather in the New York area reduced its consolidated passenger revenue for the month by approximately $25 million.

Mar 2 · 12:06:00 PM · Source: Company Press Release
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by Steve Wieczorek

AMR (AMR)

American Airlines Cargo Opens State-of-the-Art Cargo Terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport. American Airlines Cargo Division (AA Cargo) today announced its newly relocated cargo terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. The state-of-the-art facility, which opens today, will offer the latest in streamlined handling capability with more than 135,000 square feet of warehouse space and 24 dock doors that can handle any type of aircraft currently in use.
"After 45 years in our previous facility, we are pleased to provide a state-of-the-art cargo terminal at New York JFK – one of our most important hubs," said Dave Brooks, President – American Airlines Cargo.

Mar 2 · 11:55:00 AM · Source: Company Press Release
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by Steve Wieczorek

Southwest Airlines (LUV)

Shares in Southwest Airlines set a new 52-week high at USD12.89 yesterday, up 1.0% from the previous day’s close. AirTran's shares soared 5.6%, while JetBlue and Allegiant were also stronger, up 0.6% and 1.7%, respectively, according to the Centreforaviation.com.
US airline stocks have been stronger so far in 2010, due to improved balance sheets and passenger demand. With signs of the economy improving further, investors are optimistic that some of the large carriers will report profitable results in 2010.

Mar 2 · 8:46:00 AM · Source: Center for Asia Pacific Aviation
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by Steve Wieczorek

JetBlue Airways Corporation (JBLU)

The main runway at New York's John F. Kennedy International will be closed for four months starting March 1. Millions of travelers will experience delays — including some not flying anywhere near New York City. JetBlue, American, Delta and other airlines have cut their schedules by about 10 percent for the shutdown period. JetBlue and its competitors are contemplating raising prices because there will be a smaller number of seats to meet demand.
JFK's longest runway, at 14,572 feet, is one of the longest commercial runways in the world. It's a backup landing spot for the space shuttle, which has its next mission in April. The runway is being repaved with concrete instead of less-durable asphalt and widened to accommodate today's bigger planes such as the new Airbus A380.

Mar 1 · 7:56:00 AM · Source: WHNT.com
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by Steve Wieczorek

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