Air Transport World

Briefs from the Dec. 18, 2013 issue of ATW’s MRO Digest

Boeing will expand both flight and maintenance training in Russia with a new, state-of-art campus at Skolkovo Innovation Center in Moscow in 2015.

Avia Solutions Group has partnered with Air Livery to become the repainting, interior repair and refurbishment provider’s exclusive sales representative in Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, the Baltic States and the CIS.

SR Technics’ sister company and Mubadala subsidiary Sanad Aero Solutions has added four new CFM56-7Bs engines under sale and leaseback to its leasing relationship with airberlin.

ATC Aerospace and Airline Services Components have partnered to support Auxiliary Power Unit leases.

Source: Airports Council International

Luxembourg has moved a step closer to selling its 35% Cargolux stake to China’s Henan Civil Aviation and Investment Co. (HNCA), after the all-cargo carrier’s board approved a commercial tie-up with its would-be owner.

London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports have been identified as possible sites for new runways to boost airport capacity around London.

Preliminary investigations into the LAM Mozambique Embraer E-190 crash on Nov. 29 have not revealed any evidence of mechanical failure.

Reactions to the Davies Commission’s shortlisted proposals for new London runway capacity split along expected lines Tuesday.

Australian regional carrier Brindabella Airlines has gone into receivership following the grounding of a number of its aircraft on safety grounds by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has announced plans to open additional new routes in 2014.

Indian LCC SpiceJet and Singapore’s largest budget airline Tigerair have signed a three-year interline agreement for more connectivity between flights operated by both carriers.

Russia’s AirBridgeCargo has received fifth freedom rights to operate 3X-weekly flights out of Shanghai to the US, beginning in the next summer season.

Airline Routes

AerCap Holdings announced Monday it has entered into a definitive agreement with American International Group (AIG) to acquire International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC), a wholly owned subsidiary of AIG.

Singapore-based regional aircraft lessor Avation has firmed up purchase options for five ATR 72-600s, valued at $120 million at current list prices.

Star Alliance executives—which agreed Friday to extend Avianca’s membership to include Avianca Brazil—also reaffirmed the alliance model as an important component in today’s competitive environment.

Garuda Indonesia will join SkyTeam as its 20th member on March 5, 2014, the alliance announced.

Thai carrier Nok Air and Singapore’s Scoot have inked a memorandum of understanding to create a new mid- to long-haul low-cost carrier, called NokScoot, based in Bangkok.

Taiwan’s China Airlines and Singapore-based budget carrier Tigerair will launch a low-cost carrier (LCC) joint venture (JV)—Tigerair Taiwan—which is expected to begin operations at the end of 2014.

Asiana Airlines’ first Airbus A380 has completed its maiden flight.

Finnair has signed a memorandum of understanding with GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) on the sale and leaseback of two Airbus 330s and two 350s, valued at €320 million ($440 million).

Russian and Cyprus aviation authorities have agreed to designate second carriers—in addition to Aeroflot—on several routes between the countries.

Air Calédonie (Aircalin), New Caledonia’s international airline, has inked an agreement with International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) for used Airbus A320-200s.