JetBlue Airways has ordered 30 Airbus A321 aircraft valued at US$3.6 billion, as the carrier expands its Mint premium product.
The US airline agreed to buy 15 more A321s with the current engine option for delivery starting next year, and 15 more A321s with new, more fuel efficient engines starting in 2020. The new aircraft will be used in part to expand cross-country flights in the United States, JetBlue said on Tuesday.
The news came as the budget carrier said quarterly profit rose 18.4 per cent as it continued to benefit from lower fuel costs.
JetBlue paid $1.43 per gallon on average in the quarter, down 33 per cent from a year ago.
However, revenue per available seat mile, a closely watched measure that compares sales to flight capacity, fell 8.2 per cent.
The New York-based carrier’s net income rose to $180 million, or 53 cents per share, in the second quarter ended June 30 from $152m, or 44 cents per share, a year earlier.
Analysts had estimated 49 cents per share, according to Reuters.
Shares of JetBlue, which rose 0.8 per cent in premarket trading, had fallen about 24 per cent this year up to Monday’s close.
Also today, Canada’s WestJet Airlines reported higher than expected quarterly revenue and profit as its passenger traffic rose and fuel costs fell.
WestJet’s fuel expenses, typically an airline’s largest variable cost, declined 15 per cent in the second quarter ended June 30.
Load factor, which measures how effectively the airline filled seats, rose to 80.8 per cent from 78.1 per cent, a year earlier.
The Calgary-based carrier has shifted its focus to eastern Canada and suspended nearly a dozen daily flights from Alberta, which has been hit by a slump in oil prices.
WestJet’s net earnings slumped 40.5 percent to C$36.7m (Dh102.1m), or 30 Canadian cents per share, but beat the average analyst estimate by a cent, according to Reuters.
Revenue rose slightly to C$949.3m, topping the average estimate of C$945.8m.
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
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6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
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9.30pm: Forever Young
