The BTS reported for the third quarter 2005, that the domestic U.S. passenger airline industry operating margin, represented by 21 selected carriers, declined from a 0.4% profit margin in the second quarter of 2005 to a 2.0% loss margin in the third quarter. The seven largest regional airlines and the seven largest low-cost carriers each reported a domestic operating profit margin while the network carriers reported a smaller loss during the third quarter of 2005 than a year earlier. The group of regional carriers reported a domestic operating profit margin of 7.4% for the third quarter and the low-cost group generated a 2.1% profit margin, while a 2.2% loss margin was reported by the seven network carriers.

Macquarie Rotorcraft to acquire 12-helicopter portfolio from Milestone
AerCap offshoot Milestone Aviation Group (Milestone) has agreed to sell a 12-helicopter portfolio to Macquarie Rotorcraft. The portfolio will comprise a combination of Sikorsky S-92, Airbus H135, Bell 412 and Leonardo AW109, AW139 and AW189 helicopters which are presently on lease to six customers in nine countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South-East