Aviation Daily Roundup: March. 7, 2023

Calling the carriers “two of the most significant rivals today,” the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) has sued to block JetBlue’s $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines, saying the move would eliminate “about half” of all ULCC seats in the industry and harm fare-friendly competition.

Latvian carrier airBaltic is bringing on four wet-leased Airbus A320s in summer 2023, adding capacity at three Baltic bases, without compromising its recently transitioned all-A220 fleet.

Lufthansa Aviation Training has declared its intent to be the European launch customer for Diamond Aircraft’s eDA40 electric training aircraft, with the goal of helping parent Lufthansa Group meet its commitment to cut net carbon emissions in half by 2030.

Shell Aviation believes its Avelia book-and-claim blockchain solution will be one of the fastest ways to bring down the costs of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), saying it will not only contribute to the payment of SAF, but also stimulate long-term demand for governments and industry to build more SAF infrastructure. 

Aircraft financial investment specialist and lessor Stratos plans to acquire widebody specialist Magi Aviation Capital, growing Stratos’ portfolio to 60 aircraft and adding offices in Australia, London and Qatar.

Establishing strategic partnerships is one way to expand and ensure the long-term sustainable operation of Air Serbia amid an uncertain global market, the airline confirmed to Aviation Daily on March 7.