Rheinmetall reports “boom” as results hit new records with orders for vehicles, ammunition and weapons
Rheinmetall is riding high as Europe scrambles to boost its defence forces and replenish spent stockpiles sent to Ukraine.
JetBlue Airways has reported its traffic figures for December 2009 and for the whole of last year.
In December, the airline increased revenue passenger miles (RPMs) to 2,280,201,000 from 2,122,020,000 in December 2008, an increase of 7.5%, on a capacity increase in available seat miles (ASMs) of 6.6% to 2,848,699,000 from 2,671,710,000.
The load factor for the month was 80.0%, an increase of 0.6 points from December 2008’a 79.4%. Revenue passengers carried rose by 6.4% to 1,960,367 from 1,841,761.
JetBlue's preliminary completion factor was 96.8% and its on-time performance was 66.8%. The carrier’s preliminary passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) for December decreased by 3% year-over-year.
Over the whole of 2009, RPMs fell by 0.4% to 25,955,397,000 from 26,070,799,000, while ASMs rose 0.4% to 32,557,502,000 from 32,442,332,000. This resulted in a 0.7 pp drop in load factor to 79.7% from 80.4%. Passengers carried in 2009 totalled 22,449,945, a 2.4% increase over 2008’s figure of 21,920,442.
Rheinmetall is riding high as Europe scrambles to boost its defence forces and replenish spent stockpiles sent to Ukraine.
The forecast came as the Italian firm presented its new 2025–29 industrial plan to analysts, with its future figures bolstered by the European increase in defence spending.
Speaking before a committee on European affairs, the speakers addressed recent developments following an eventful few days. During this period, the UK pushed for increased support for Ukraine, while the EU eased budget constraints to allow for greater defence spending. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, US President Donald Trump introduced tariffs that could impact the defence industry.
NATO and other Western countries had been singing from the same song sheet since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia three years ago but the alliance has been weakened as the new US administration under President Donald Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine.
Since the release of Ireland’s Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) report two years ago there have been whisperings about the potential of Ireland buying fighter jets, one of the most ambitious recommendations. The prospect has now inched closer.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer raises defence spending, while both NATO and President Trump demand significant further increases.