Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) rose in more than 1.1% in pre session on Thursday as the firm announces the elevation of Lauren Woods to Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, reporting to Chief Administration & Communications Officer Linda Rutherford.
Following Kathleen Merrill’s decision in September 2022 to transition to an Executive Advisor in early 2023, Woods fills this job. Merrill was instrumental in the formation of the Strategic Planning and Implementation Department, the implementation of a new Rapid Rewards system, the integration of Air Tran into Southwest and the start of international flights, the transition of technology platforms from Sabre to Amadeus, and the Company’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I’d want to start by thanking Kathleen for her numerous and incomparable contributions to Southwest Airlines over the last almost 19 years, including directing some of the industry’s largest and most significant technology initiatives. We are all appreciative for Kathleen’s many positive contributions to Southwest’s position as one of the most acclaimed corporations, and we are pleased she will continue to serve Southwest in her new post “Southwest Airlines President and CEO Bob Jordan stated. “Lauren’s extensive experience has well prepared her for this critical post, as she has established a fantastic reputation as a creative and transformative Leader in our Technology Department and throughout the Company.”
United Airlines Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: UAL) Reveal JV For Sustainable Fuel
United Airlines Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: UAL) formed a new joint venture on Tuesday to research and market ethanol-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technology. The statement comes at a time when aircraft owners are attempting to reduce emissions in order to become more environmentally friendly.
Blue Blade Energy, a joint venture founded by United Airlines, Tallgrass Energy Infrastructure, and biorefiner Green Plains Inc, will get up to $50 million in investment. According to United Airlines, the JV will offer up to 135 million gallons of ethanol-based SAF annually, and up to 2.7 billion gallons overall under an offtake arrangement.
SAF, which employs feedstocks such as cooking oils to cut emissions from conventional fuel by up to 80%, is considered as the carbon savior for the aviation sector, which accounts for approximately 3% of global CO2 emissions. According to United Airlines, the JV plans to build a pilot plant in 2024, followed by a full-scale facility that might begin commercial operations in 2028.
Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) Efforts to Recovers on Travel Demand
Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) anticipates excellent growth in 2023 as the travel industry continues to improve. DAL stock rose beyond a buy threshold on Wednesday as traders absorbed the Federal Reserve’s message for the day.
Despite some bad weather and technological glitches during the holiday season, airline flying resumed in 2022. This trend is likely to continue through 2023. The World Economic Forum estimates that by the end of the year, North American airlines will have fully recovered their pre-pandemic traffic levels. Delta, on the other hand, moderated expectations, predicting that non-fuel unit costs and personnel expenses would rise in the first quarter. Delta forecasted Q1 earnings of 15 cents to 40 cents per share, compared to Wall Street’s expectations of 59 cents.
“The industry backdrop for air travel remains positive, and Delta is well-positioned to achieve strong profits and cash-flow growth,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said on Jan. 13 at the company’s fourth-quarter earnings report.
