Aviation Daily Roundup: Dec. 13, 2022

Increasing supply of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in Europe is a hot topic as a year of recovering demand draws to a close and airlines look ahead to how they will be able to meet emissions reduction targets in the future. 

Boeing served up a mixed bag of commercial airplane activity in November, highlighted by more 787 deliveries than roll-outs and zero cancellations, but offset by just 32 737 MAX deliveries.

Shannon, Ireland-based Airborne Capital has announced the closing of its second asset backed securitization (ABS) transaction. 

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has awarded Altalto Immingham a grant of up to £27 million ($33 million) from the department’s Advanced Fuels Fund for a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) project.  

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will receive five Airbus A350-900s to replace its four retiring A340-300s.

In September 2022, American Airlines announced it was eliminating international first-class seats and replacing them with more business-class seats. 

Aviation services group Blueberry Aviation has completed delivery of 11 ATR 72-600 regional turboprops to U.S. lessor Jetstream Aviation Capital, the Monaco-based company said Dec. 13.    

Finnair has delayed repayment of a €600 million ($632 million) credit line, which was scheduled for repayment in mid-2023, by a further two years to May 2025.

Lufthansa Group raised its profit guidance substantially Dec. 13 as forward bookings into 2023 continue to look strong with average yields significantly above pre-pandemic levels. 

The latest moves by Hong Kong to relax COVID-19 requirements are expected to help Cathay Pacific boost demand and achieve its capacity growth goals.

United Airlines has opted to order Boeing 787s to support a significant portion of its widebody replacement program, but the airline’s long-standing order for Airbus A350s remains intact—for now. 

Air New Zealand has selected the four aerospace companies it will partner with in its evaluation of zero-emission technology for a future aircraft order.