Air Transport World

Kenya Airways and Etihad Airways have signed a codeshare agreement for flights between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi beginning April 1. Kenya Airways will launch a 3X-weekly Nairobi-Abu Dhabi service in June, on which Etihad will then place its code as well as on 27 destinations across the Kenya Airways domestic network. Kenya Airways will place its code on Etihad Airways’ existing daily Nairobi-Abu Dhabi service and on 32 destinations on Etihad’s global network.

Aeroflot and Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) have reached an interim agreement in the dispute over the carrier’s deal with Moscow Sheremetyevo airport.

Air France-KLM’s cargo division is facing a “drastic and substantial re-organization” after posting a €222 million ($291 million) full-year operating loss, compared to a €60 million loss in 2011.

News from Travel Technology Update: The chairman of the Business Travel Coalition widened his opposition to the American-US Airways merger to include a broad attack on IATA’s New Distribution Capability.

Alitalia reported a 2012 net loss of €280 million ($370 million), worsened from a loss of €69 million in 2011.

Executives from American Airlines and US Airways told Congress that the carriers’ planned merger will benefit both consumers and employees, and will leave the US with a highly competitive airline industry.

Airbus has completed the wing assembly of the first A350 XWB flight-test aircraft at the Roger Béteille Final Assembly Line in Toulouse.

The European Parliament’s Environment Committee voted to back the European Commission’s decision to suspend the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) for flights into and out of Europe for one year.

Hainan Airlines parent HNA Group is planning to launch Urumqi Airlines, in conjunction with the Urumqi municipal government.

January 2013 Customer Name Model Engine Delivery Date Boeing Deliveries Norwegian 737-800 CF 9-Jan Pegasus Airlines 737-800 CF 9-Jan TUI Travel PLC 737-800 CF 9-Jan

US Airways president Scott Kirby and American Airlines chief restructuring officer Beverly Goulet will jointly direct transition planning for the US Airways-American merger.

Chinese carriers have accelerated the pace of their international expansion plans to offset the impact of the fast-growing high-speed rail.

Lufthansa Technik Switzerland will close its two line maintenance and logistics services businesses April 30. It has been unable to sustain its operations due to a fall in demand and associated decline in its customer base. AFI KLM E&M signed an engine support contract with Nordwind Airlines covering its CF6-80C2 engines powering six Boeing 767-300ERs. The contract covers engine repair and overhaul services and availability and lease support.

Aircraft leasing company Aircastle reported fourth quarter 2012 net income of $29.8 million, down 16.3% year-over-year.

Ecuador’s new $700 million Quito International Airport opened Feb. 20, replacing the city’s 52-year-old Quito Mariscal Sucre airport.

TNT Express has appointed supervisory board member Tex Gunning as its new CEO, effective June 1.

Air France-KLM Group chairman and CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta said Delta Air Line’s 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic will help strengthen SkyTeam’s transatlantic joint venture (JV).

Ireland-based aircraft lessor Avolon said an analysis it conducted on the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737NG and their successors, the A320neo and 737 MAX, concluded that the current versions won’t be quickly displaced when the new versions enter service in 2015 and 2017, respectively.

Air France has pushed back the timeframe for finalizing its commitment for 25 firm Airbus A350 XWBs until later in 2013.

Boeing 787 launch customer All Nippon Airways (ANA) said it is operating under the assumption the Dreamliner will be grounded through the end of May.

Members of the European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA) broke through the 200 million passenger mark in 2012.

UK London Stansted-based VIP charter specialist Titan Airways has completed a management buyout from minority shareholder 3i.

Oman Air leased two Boeing 737-800s to double daily services from Muscat to Chennai, Delhi and Hyderabad. It will also increase service from Muscat to Lahore and Islamabad to daily. Cathay Pacific Airways will add a fifth daily flight on its Hong Kong-London Heathrow service June 27. Etihad Airways increased 7X-weekly Abu Dhabi-Lahore service to 11X-weekly. It will also increase 6X-weekly Abu Dhabi-Lagos service to daily March 31.