Air Transport World

Compass Airlines and ATP Flight School have finalized a tuition reimbursement agreement.

Alitalia has reinstated its pilot training center after a 10-year gap, with 24 prospective pilots due to embark on a two-year training course by the end of 2015.

In an effort to further increase its share of US-originating connecting traffic, Air Canada will offer free one-week stopovers in Toronto to US customers bound for Europe or Asia.

Irish low-cost carrier (LCC) Ryanair will pass the proceeds of the sale of its stake in Aer Lingus to shareholders.

Thai-based regional operator Siam Air Transport will lease two Boeing 737-800s from Air Lease Corp. to expand services to first- and second-tier destinations in China.

Fast-growing Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air signed an agreement with China Development Bank’s CDB Leasing to finance six Airbus A321ceos.

Boeing has opened a 104,000-sq.-ft. research and technology center in North Charleston, South Carolina.

The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) airlines have signed a multilateral cooperation agreement establishing Vanilla Alliance, which is aimed at improving air services between IOC member states and international connectivity to the region.

Tianjin-based Okay Airways plans to launch United Star International Express Airlines with ATSG West Limited and three other Chinese partners.

Low-cost, long-haul carrier Norwegian Air International (NAI) has announced a series of new transatlantic routes, despite the continued reluctance by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to grant it a license for Europe-US services.

Airbus began fuselage assembly of the largest member of the A350 family at its Hamburg and Saint-Nazaire plants.

IT & Distribution-Sept. 24, 2015

IATA has made two senior management appointments: Gilberto Lopez Meyer as SVP-safety and flight operations and Nick Careen as SVP-airport, passenger, cargo and security safety and flight operations (APCS).

Worldwide international passenger traffic improved in July, rising 6.8% year-over (YOY), up from June’s 3% YOY growth, according to IATA’s July Premium Traffic Monitor.

After five years of negotiations, Sun Country Airlines has reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract with its pilots.

Finnair has warned it may take a €30 million ($33.4 million) hit due to national pension reforms, although it is also expecting a €70 million gain from its fleet renewal.

Startup carrier fastjet Zimbabwe is expected to secure its air operator’s certificate (AOC) within the next few days, following the arrival of its first aircraft.

Aeromexico is looking to upgauge its fleet with newer aircraft in the coming years, the airline’s SVP-global sales Jorge Goytortua said.

Calgary-based low-cost carrier WestJet has named Canadian Tire Corp. SVP-finance Harry Taylor as its new CFO.

Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, has refused permission for Aeroflot low-cost subsidiary (LCC) Pobeda Airlines to operate international flights.

Lufthansa Group’s low-cost subsidiary Eurowings and UK low-cost carrier easyJet reportedly could become partners, Lufthansa Group chairman and CEO Carsten Spohr told German magazine Der Spiegel.

Boeing confirmed 300 aircraft orders/commitments from Chinese companies and said it will open a joint venture 737 “completion” facility in China.

Asia-Pacific airlines reported international load factors of 83% in August, the highest level recorded this year, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (APPA).

People-Sept. 23, 2015

US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx recently awarded $24.5 million FAA grants to 11 airports around the country to reduce emissions and improve air quality.