The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the body responsible for implementing intra-African Open Skies, has named former Ethiopian CAA director general Tefera Mekonnen as its next secretary general (SG).
IATA unveiled a data-sharing platform to help airlines avoid turbulence during flights and named Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines as the first contributor.
LOT Polish Airlines (LOT) is monitoring developments at Estonia’s Nordic Aviation Group (Nordica), because of “business and operational challenges” that could impact its equity investment.
Bogota-based Avianca—which reported load factors of nearly 90% in the third quarter on hub routes to Europe—plans to add a second daily Bogota-London Heathrow service if slots are available.
The African Development Bank is studying the possibility of creating an aircraft-leasing company for the continent, with further news expected in the first half of 2019.
Moroccan carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9, which will be deployed on routes such as Paris Orly, New York and Sao Paulo.
Transport Canada on Dec. 12 announced amendments to Canadian Aviation Regulations that prescribe new flight- and duty-time limits for airline pilots that align with current scientific data and international standards.
US carriers American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are preparing a “strong retort” to Air Italy’s service additions, calling the Italian carrier’s recent and planned moves into US gateways a “clear violation” of an agreement between US and Qatari government officials, Chicago-based United Airlines’ top executive said.
The decision by Mexico’s newly installed government—led by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador—to cancel further construction of its new international airport will cost over MXP100 billion ($5 billion), according to estimates cited by IATA.
Hawaiian Airlines said its fleet refresh is making good progress despite Airbus A321neo delivery delays earlier this year, and the carrier is already looking to the next stage when its Boeing 787 deliveries begin in 2021.
Supported by strong demand for travel and a decline in fuel costs, IATA expects airline industry profits to rise again in 2019 following a dip this year.
Avianca Brazil reportedly filed for bankruptcy protection Dec. 11, stemming from a potential repossession of 21% of its fleet by the aircrafts’ lessor.
Air France has appointed Anne Rigail as its new CEO, taking over from Air France-KLM Group CEO Benjamin Smith who temporarily led the French unit following the resignation of Franck Terner in September.
India’s Jet Airways and Saudia Arabia’s flynas have entered into an extensive codeshare partnership to enhance connectivity between India and Saudi Arabia.
Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines’ joint venture SunExpress will increase capacity by 15% for the summer 2019 season in response to strong demand in Turkey.
Taiwan’s EVA Air plans to add three more destinations in Japan in 2019 and boost capacity by 10% as it reshapes its Japanese market and global network.
Swedish airline Amapola Flyg has acquired several Fokker 50s that became available after Belgian carrier VLM Airlines went into liquidation in August 2018.
