Air Transport World

LOT Polish Airlines has dismissed CEO Marcin Pirog amid reports it will receive PLN400 million ($127.3 million) in financial help from the government.

Malaysia-based AirAsia has placed an order with Airbus for an additional 100 A320 aircraft.

SkyWest Inc., holding company for US regional carriers SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines, has firmed its provisional order for 100 Mitsubishi Regional Jets.

IATA has raised its 2013 net profit outlook for the world’s airlines by almost $1 billion based on improved financial performances in the second and third quarters.

International Airlines Group (IAG) subsidiary Veloz Holdco has initiated the process to purchase Vueling Airlines.

The European Parliament has approved new rules on noise abatement and slot allocation at European airports.

Delta Air Lines will extend its weekly seasonal New York JFK-Aruba service to daily, year-round service Dec. 15 with a Boeing 737. Hawaiian Airlines will launch 3X-weekly Taipei-Honolulu Airbus A330-200 service in July 2013. Sunwing Airlines will operate weekly Windsor-Santa Clara, Cuba service Dec. 23-April 21.

Starflyer—Japan’s fast-growing airline—has taken delivery of its first of three directly purchased Airbus A320s.

Boeing and the BMW Group have agreed to collaborate on joint research on carbon fiber recycling.

Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport has banned Ukrainian AeroSvit Airlines due to the carrier’s debt dispute.

Ethiopian Airlines is in talks with the Zambian government to establish a joint venture in Lusaka.

The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) has criticized a 150% increase in taxes and landing fees at Curacao Airport.

London Heathrow Airport’s new Terminal 2 will be home to Star Alliance, Aer Lingus and Virgin Atlantic Airways domestic flights when it opens in 2014.

Air Berlin will establish a regional subsidiary as part of its restructuring process, according to sources.

The AviancaTaca group of airlines has placed a firm order for 15 ATR 72-600s, plus 15 options, in an order valued at $700 million.

France’s Zodiac Aerospace has struck a deal to acquire US cabin and aircraft modification specialist Northwest Aerospace Technologies (NAT).

Africa’s new low-cost start-up Fastjet will expand its routes after recently launching operations.

Turbopower LLC selected Quantum Control to manage its MRO and part sales services. FL Technics has signed a letter of intent with Ariana Afghan Airlines for a long-term strategic cooperation with the intent to establish EASA-compliant line maintenance stations in Afghanistan. The first is slated to open at Kabul International Airport in March 2013.

American Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER as part of the airline's fleet modernization effort and global network strategy.

Southwest Airlines said that VP-general counsel Madeleine Johnson will retire, effective Feb. 1.

Turkish Airlines last week inaugurated its 5X-weekly Boeing 737-900ER Istanbul-Kilimanjaro-Mombasa-Ataturk flights, bringing the number of destinations in Africa to 33.

Austrian Airlines Group is cutting 150 administrative positions as part of its €260 million ($337.8 million) restructuring program.

Qatar Airways has altered its order for the forthcoming Airbus A350 XWB, moving to the larger models in the range.

India’s Kingfisher Airlines has confirmed it is in discussions with several investors, including Etihad Airways, to take an equity stake in the troubled Indian carrier.

Gulf Air has named deputy CEO Maher Salman Jabor Al Musallam as acting CEO following Samer Majali’s recent resignation.