Air Transport World

Air Berlin reported a first-quarter net loss of €196.3 million ($254.8 million), widened from a €163.6 million loss in the year-ago period.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has approved the launch of Kunming-based Ruili Airlines, opening the door to new entrants in China.

Norwegian Air Shuttle continues its European expansion as it taps into the Germany-Spain market, which is dominated by Air Berlin and Condor Airlines on leisure routes.

Lebanon’s central bank, Banque du Liban, has blocked a proposed takeover of financially troubled Cyprus Airways by Beirut-based Middle East Airlines (MEA).

Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. (UAC) reported a 2012 net loss of RUB5.6 billion ($178 million), narrowed from a RUB13.35 billion loss year-over-year.

Aircraft News

Briefs from the May 15, 2013 issue of ATW's MRO Digest

US Department of Transportation has faulted FAA’s MRO oversight procedures.

SR Technics, part of the Mubadala Aerospace MRO network, has established its senior management team and recruited 17 technicians and four certifying technicians of Malaysian nationality for its new component repair facility in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, due to open at the end of 2013.

ST Aerospace San Antonio has acquired substantially all of the assets of Turbo Mach for $250,000.

FL Technics further developed its component stocks entering into a consignment agreement with Florida-based FAA/EASA certified repair company XTRA Aerospace.

Boeing delivered a new 787 to All Nippon Airways (ANA) Tuesday, the first 787 delivery to occur since deliveries were suspended in January when FAA grounded the Dreamliner.

Turkish Airlines has finalized a firm order for 40 737 MAX 8s, 10 737 MAX 9s and 20 737-800 Next Gens, valued at $6.9 billion at list prices.

Airbus parent EADS posted a first-quarter net income of €241 million ($312.7 million), up 91% from €126 million in the year-ago period.

Norwegian Air Shuttle has partnered with Virgin Atlantic Airways, tapping the UK carrier for advice on long-haul operations in return for Boeing 787 pilot training.

Turkish Airlines employees are reportedly planning to strike early Wednesday morning, an airline source told ATW.

Croatia Airlines employees went on strike Tuesday, causing about 30 flight cancellations through Wednesday.

British Airways and Iberia parent International Airlines Group (IAG) is offering €390 million worth of convertible bonds to fund its acquisition of Spanish carrier Vueling.

Copa Holdings, parent of Panama’s Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia, posted first-quarter net income of $113.8 million, up 18.7% over net profit of $95.9 million in the year-ago period.

Brazil’s GOL posted a first-quarter net loss of BRL75.3 million ($37.2 million), worsened from a net loss of BRL41.4 million in the year-ago quarter.

MIAT Mongolian Airlines has taken delivery of a Boeing 767-300ER, its first-ever direct purchase delivery.

IT & Distribution

Air India’s first of six grounded aircraft will resume commercial flights Wednesday on domestic routes and May 22 on international routes, India’s minister for civil aviation Ajit Singh said Tuesday.

United Airlines, the US launch customer for the Boeing 787 with six in its fleet, said it will restart Dreamliner service May 20 with domestic flights.

Governments must put more political will into sorting out air traffic management mega-projects and also addressing the political issue of finding a global agreement for emission market-based-measures (MBMs), the head of IATA said Monday.