Gallery: This Week in Pictures-Jan. 30-Feb. 3, 2017
Linda Blachly
Lufthansa introduces new A350 cabin interior
Kurt HofmannLufthansa unveiled the first of 25 Airbus A350-900s Feb. 2 in Munich after Lufthansa Technik completed the cabin installation.
Gallery: Lufthansa presents first A350 with new cabin interior

New Chilean ULCC JetSMART to launch
JetSMARTArizona-based investment firm Indigo Partners introduced its new ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC), JetSMART, on Feb. 3 in Santiago, Chile. Photo: JetSMART A320

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hears from US carriers on Open Skies
Mark Wilson/Getty ImagesThe three US network carriers wasted no time after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s confirmation before asking him to review the Open Skies policy and the subsidies they allege Gulf carriers illegally get from their national governments.

Wizz Air may set up UK AOC
Wizz AirCentral and Eastern European low-cost carrier (LCC) Wizz Air is considering whether it should set up a UK air operator’s certificate (AOC) in the wake of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union (EU) (Brexit).

Etihad, Lufthansa sign commercial partnership deal
Etihad AirwaysEtihad Airways and Lufthansa signed a multi-faceted commercial partnership agreement Wednesday that will see the two companies cooperate via codeshares and across catering and MRO services. The agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi Feb. 1 by Etihad Aviation Group president and CEO James Hogan and Lufthansa Group chairman and CEO Carsten Spohr.

Chao confirmed as US transportation secretary
Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesThe US Senate has overwhelmingly confirmed Elaine Chao to be the new US transportation secretary. Photo: US transportation secretary Elaine Chao at her Jan. 11 Senate confirmation hearing.

Airlines, travelers deal with new travel ban
Amanda Edwards/Getty ImagesThe executive order issued by US President Donald Trump barring nationals from seven countries from entering the US led to “confusion among both airlines and travelers” and has placed a number of “burdens” on airlines, according to IATA.

Companies work on volcanic ash detection technology
Nicarnica AviationTechnology firm Elbit Systems and Norway’s Nicarnica Aviation have performed ground trials on a new system, aimed at detecting volcanic ash up to 100 km ahead of an aircraft.

Delta back online after IT failure
Rob FinlaysonDelta Air Lines experienced its second systems outage in six months Jan. 29, triggering a ground stop and cancellation of approximately 280 flights, with additional cancellations possible for Jan. 30, the Atlanta-based airline said.

LOT leases 787-9s
BoeingLOT Polish Airlines will lease three Boeing 787-9s from Aviation Capital Group to further develop its long-haul fleet.

Ryanair to grow presence in Italy, Spain
Rob FinlaysonThis winter, Irish low-cost carrier (LCC) Ryanair will expand by 10% at Barcelona, 12% in Madrid and 54% at Milan Malpensa, as it continues an aggressive growth strategy.

New Turkish CEO will not cancel aircraft orders
Turkish AirlinesTurkish Airlines is on a cost-savings drive and has grounded 25 narrowbodies after events last year hit demand for travel to Turkey, but the carrier’s new CEO, Bilal Eksi, says he has no plans to cancel any new aircraft orders.

Sweden's BRA takes off on first biofuel flight
ATRSwedish regional carrier BRA has operated a flight from Stockholm Bromma Airport to Umeå in northern Sweden with an ATR-72-600 using a fuel blend comprised 45% of used cooking oil.