Even though we’ve been hearing our fair share of bad news regarding all flavors of downsizing going on in the airline business, the Global Fortune 500 List comes back, in 2008, to remind us that some airlines out there are still doing very well for themselves.

To put it simply, some people just need to fly.

For business or leisure, lots of sky travelers simply can’t do without their airplane link to another location on our Blue Planet. The airlines that are performing the best are those which properly cater to these people — and they’re not necessarily selling the cheapest seats either, it’s actually quite the contrary.

While the budget challenged airplane travelers need to cut back on their travel expenses, the richer crowd doesn’t really bother with the extra charges related to homeland security, fuel or various other fees being piggy-backed on the ticket prices.

Planes consuming less fuel, flying with less (empty) seats and serving busier routes will help the airlines who dare to reinvent themselves to thrive, even with the bargain-hunting passenger crowd.

So who’s on top, in the 2008 list of the Global Fortune 500?

Let’s take a look at the numbers:

The profits aren’t anywhere near those from banks or pharmaceuticals but this is airline transport, an industry where the competition is fierce in the air but also from alternative transportation like high-speed trains, direct bus routes, marine shuttles, people’s cars and others.

In this particular context, turning a profit -at all- is a good sign.

Because of anticipated market pressures on the airlines, in the US and abroad, the next few months and years could prove to be bumpy for the investors who need to keep in mind that with technological breakthroughs and advances, planes will likely get more affordable to operate and as such, profits could be looking up. Also, the current price of fuel, which is at an all-time high, is expected to go down enough for the airliners to breath, at least for a short while.

Let’s see how these and other smaller airlines perform in these challenging times, in the months and years to come. Expect major and not-so-major mergers and acquisitions to reshape, yet again, this industry.

Tags: airlines, airliners, airplanes, planes, sky travelers, tourists, business travel, air travel, airplane tickets, bargain prices, bargain hunters, lower prices, high fuel prices, fuel prices, airplane fuel, passengers, us, world, global, fortune, money, revenues, profits

Preparations are well advanced for the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA 2006.

From the 16th to the 21st of May 2006, over 1,000 exhibitors from more than 40 countries will be coming to the southern section of Berlin-Schönefeld Airport to display their latest aircraft and a wide range of products, systems and processes representing every area of this high tech industry.

The exhibition site has been extended for the ILA 2006 to cover 250,000 square metres and almost all of this space has already been reserved. This area includes the 100,000 square metres of outdoor display sites, the ten exhibition halls covering a total of 50,000 square metres, and all the chalets, which provide an exclusive setting in which to meet with customers.

Over 300 aircraft from the historical to jets incorporating the latest advances in aviation technology will be on show on the ground and in the air.

For the professionals there will also be more than 80 conferences, meetings and workshops offering additional opportunities for obtaining information.

During the first three days (16-18 May) admission to the ILA will be restricted to trade visitors only. The highlight of the open days (19-21 May) will be the spectacular air show.

Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel will officially open the ILA 2006 during her tour of the grounds on the 16th of May.

Hans-Joachim Gante, the Chief Executive of the BDLI, stated: “The ILA 2006 promises to be extremely successful. The number of exhibitors, together with the size and quality of their stands, are an indication that the ILA has developed into one of the world’s leading aerospace trade fairs. Virtually every company of any standing in this sector is represented at the ILA in order to present its products and services to Germany and the world.”

Europe’s “shopping mall” for business and private aircraft.

The General Aviation Avenue at the ILA 2006 alone is one of the largest trade fairs anywhere in the world for business, private and sports aircraft.

In the space of just a few years the General Aviation Avenue at the ILA has become Europe’s “Shopping Mall” for business and private aircraft as well as a commercial meeting place for aircraft owners and pilots.

Among the more important suppliers to be found at the ILA 2006 will be Aquila, Beechcraft (Raytheon Aircraft), Bombardier, Cessna, Cirrus, Diamond Aircraft, Embraer, Extra, Pilatus, Piper and Socata.

They will be joined at the ILA by numerous general aviation suppliers including the publicly quoted engine maker Thielert and the airscrew manufacturer MT-Propeller, whose products are already internationally known.

Career Center with details about job opportunities

The Career Center takes the form of seminars at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the 19th and 20th of May, in Hall 4, with first hand information about training and employment opportunities in the aerospace industries.

Details of requirements and career prospects will be explained by companies such as Aerotec, Airbus, EADS, Lufthansa Technik, MTU Aero Engines, Rolls Royce Deutschland and Ryan Air.

Tags: ila, berlin air show, aerospace, airlines, airplanes, trade show, exhibition halls, thielert, engines

It’s a show you can’t miss if you build planes or do business in that industry.

The numbers speak for themselves with roughly half a million people attending this event in just seven days. We’re announcing it here first, on NavSite, because it should already be marked on your agenda, for 2007.

Read our review of the upcoming 47th Edition of this international air show.