Subscription Required

SpeedNews - April 2, 2021 is part of our SpeedNews subscription.

Subscribe now to read this alert, plus receive full coverage of key developments in commercial and business aviation.

Already a subscriber to SpeedNews or a content package that includes SpeedNews? Login

Did you know? Aviation Week has won top honors multiple times in the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards, the business-to-business media equivalent of the Pulitzer Prizes.

Magazine Issue

SpeedNews - April 2, 2021

April 02, 2021

Download PDF

Air Transport

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

Mar 29, 2021

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES ordered 100 LEAP-powered 737-7s (to accelerate 737-700 retirements; 17 in 2021), and optioned another 155 MAXs; as part of deal,…

CARLYLE AVIATION PARTNERS AND FLY LEASING

Mar 29, 2021

CARLYLE AVIATION PARTNERS agreed to acquire FLY LEASING for $17.05 per share in deal representing equity valuation of approximately $520m and…

SAS AND CDB

Mar 29, 2021

SAS sold new A350-900 (484) to CDB Aviation Lease Finance for leaseback. It also agreed to sell three LEAP-powered A320neos (for delivery in 1H22) to…

ALITALIA

Mar 29, 2021

ALITALIA received EC approval for €24.7m state aid to compensate for damages in November/December due to COVID-19.

NORWEGIAN

Mar 29, 2021

NORWEGIAN received Irish High Court approval for its reconstruction process (Examinership) in Ireland and says it will now send same proposal to…

UNITED AIRLINES AND BOEING

Mar 29, 2021

UNITED AIRLINES took delivery of GEnx-powered 787-9 (66144) from BOEING, its first 787 delivery in 2021; deliveries were suspended in October 2020…

ASL AIRLINES

Mar 29, 2021

ASL AIRLINES UK secured AOC and operating license to launch all-cargo operations at East Midlands with ATR 72-200F (265).

CANADIAN NORTH AND ACC

Mar 29, 2021

CANADIAN NORTH has retained ACC Aviation to exclusively remarket/sell two Dash 8-100s (284/324) parked at Calgary.

AAPA

Mar 29, 2021

AAPA members flew 4b RPKs in February, down 94.5% vs February 2020; capacity fell 85.1% to 16b ASKs. PLF was 24.8%.

CMA CGM AIR CARGO

Mar 29, 2021

CMA CGM AIR CARGO began Liege-JFK-Atlanta (A330-200F).

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES

Mar 29, 2021

AUSTRIAN AIRLINES plans October 24 to begin twice-weekly Vienna-Cancun, Mexico (777).

SMARTWINGS

Mar 29, 2021

SMARTWINGS secured €76m loan agreement with syndicate of banks led by UniCredit Bank, along with Komerční banka, Československá obchodní banka and…

QATAR AIRWAYS

Mar 29, 2021

QATAR AIRWAYS announced plans to operate >1,200 weekly flights to >140 destinations, including 23 destinations in Africa, 14 in North/South America,…

SKY EXPRESS

Mar 29, 2021

SKY EXPRESS, Greece took delivery of A320neo (9507) on lease from Aviation Capital Group, completing deal for four.

TIBET AIRLINES

Mar 29, 2021

TIBET AIRLINES took delivery of new A319-100 (10223) and now has 27. AIRBUS has two A319s remaining on backlog.

CAYMAN AIRWAYS

Mar 29, 2021

CAYMAN AIRWAYS leased new LEAP-powered 737-8 (43308) from Air Lease Corporation.

LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Mar 29, 2021

LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT handled 1.6m pax in February, down 72% vs Feb 2020; air cargo increased 42.5%.

AEROCENTURY

Mar 30, 2021

AEROCENTURY filed petition for Chapter 11 reorganization and proposed an auction sale for its assets to fund repayment of debt to its sole secured…

AIRASIA GROUP

Mar 30, 2021

AIRASIA GROUP lost MYR5.9b in 2020 (vs MYR283m loss in 2019) on 74% lower revenues.

ALLEGIANT AIR

Mar 30, 2021

ALLEGIANT AIR sold three A320-200s to FGL Aircraft USA (Fuyo General Lease), and leased them back. ALM arranged deal.

FLYR

Mar 30, 2021

FLYR, Norway signed LOI to lease two 737-800s (source TBA) for delivery in May/June for startup, pending AOC.

K-MILE ASIA

Mar 30, 2021

K-MILE ASIA took delivery of 737-800BCF (33596; ex-Ryanair) as part of 10 conversions ordered by ASL Aviation Holdings.

FLIGHTAWARE

Mar 30, 2021

FLIGHTAWARE reports global traffic averaged 57,030 daily flights for week of March 22-28, 2021, up 50% from 2020 but down 40% from 2019; US traffic…

UNITED AIRLINES

Mar 30, 2021

UNITED AIRLINES relaunched service to New York City's JFK with flights from LAX and SFO (767-300ER).

KLM

Mar 30, 2021

KLM took delivery of its last two 777-300ERs (66888/66889) ordered from Boeing, which now has 11 remaining on backlog.

NORSE ATLANTIC AIRWAYS

Mar 30, 2021

NORSE ATLANTIC AIRWAYS agreed to lease nine ex-Norwegian 787s (six -9s and three -8s) with Trents from AerCap for delivery starting in 2021 for…

UNITED AIRLINES

Mar 30, 2021

UNITED AIRLINES relaunched service to New York City's JFK with flights from LAX and SFO (767-300ER).

VIVA AIR

Mar 31, 2021

VIVA AIR, Colombia leased fifth LEAP-powered A320neo (10409) from ACG as part of a multi-aircraft transaction.

CORSAIR

Mar 31, 2021

CORSAIR, France took delivery of new 352-seat A330-900 (1975) on lease from Avolon; it plans to acquire five more.

AIRBALTIC

Mar 31, 2021

AIRBALTIC plans May 1 to begin three-times-weekly Tallinn-Munich, Germany (A220-300).

BLUE AIR

Mar 31, 2021

BLUE AIR, Romania agreed to lease 10 737-8s from Air Lease Corporation for delivery through 2022; first (43309) delivered.

A4A

Mar 31, 2021

A4A announced member commitment to work with aviation industry and government to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050; A4A carriers pledged to…

ALASKA AIRLINES

Mar 31, 2021

ALASKA AIRLINES completed previously announced order for 23 more 737-9s for 2023-2024 and 15 options for 2023-2026, increasing overall MAX orderbook…

AIR NAMIBIA

Mar 31, 2021

AIR NAMIBIA is being liquidated. It has three A319s, two A330-200s and four ERJs, all mostly on operating lease.

AIRBALTIC

Mar 31, 2021

AIRBALTIC plans IPO to support future growth and return the Latvian state's investment in the form of sale of shares. It says could produce revenue…

VIVA AEROBUS

Mar 31, 2021

VIVA AEROBUS plans May 29 to begin weekly San Jose Los Cabos-Cincinnati (A320).

NEOS

Apr 01, 2021

NEOS, Italy took delivery of two new 737-8s (43920/62869) on lease from ICBC Aviation Leasing.

TITAN AIRWAYS

Apr 01, 2021

TITAN AIRWAYS, UK took delivery of second EFW-converted A321-200F (1250; ex-Thomas Cook) from BBAM.

DELTA AIR LINES

Apr 01, 2021

DELTA AIR LINES says it plans to start filling middle seats on flights from May 1; it started blocking middle seats in April 2020.

SPIRIT AIRLINES

Apr 01, 2021

SPIRIT AIRLINES plans July 1 to begin Puerto Vallarta, Mexico-LAX/-DFW/-Houston IAH (A320).

AIRCASTLE

Apr 01, 2021

AIRCASTLE merged with MM AIR, Bermuda whereby its shareholders (other than Marubeni and its affiliates) received cash consideration of $32 per common…

ALASKA AIRLINES

Apr 01, 2021

ALASKA AIRLINES officially joined oneworld, which now has 14 full members; it was invited to join in July 2020.

AMERICAN

Apr 01, 2021

AMERICAN repaid $2.8b of revolving loans under three separate revolving credit facilities in a liquidity-neutral transaction.

AIR PREMIA

Apr 01, 2021

AIR PREMIA, Korea agreed to lease three Trent-powered 787-9s from Air Lease Corporation; first (66407) was delivered.

CARGOJET

Apr 01, 2021

CARGOJET has Amazon contract to operate two Amazon-owned 767-300BDSFs within Canada on CMI basis from mid-2021.

EMIRATES

Apr 01, 2021

EMIRATES plans June 1 to restart daily Dubai-Milan Malpensa-JFK (777-300ER).

FIJI AIRWAYS

Apr 01, 2021

FIJI AIRWAYS confirmed acceptance of return-to-service requirements of the 737 MAX aircraft by Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF), following…

IATA

Apr 01, 2021

IATA is projecting airlines in Africa will lose combined US$1.7b in 2021 on top of US$2b loss in 2020.

CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES

Apr 01, 2021

CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES says it plans to take delivery of 43 aircraft (five 787s; four A350s; 27 A320s; six ARJs; one C919) in 2021, 52 aircraft …

DELTA AIR LINES

Apr 01, 2021

DELTA AIR LINES sold eighth/last new A321-200 (10100) to SMBC Aviation Capital for leaseback as part of 8-aircraft deal.

AIR ASTANA

Apr 01, 2021

AIR ASTANA leased new GTF-powered A321-200neo (10176) from Air Lease Corporation, and now has nine A321neos.

ATLAS AIR

Apr 01, 2021

ATLAS AIR has acquired ex-Condor 767-300ER (26259) with CF6s; aircraft is currently parked in Marana, AZ.

MRO

DESSER AEROSPACE

Mar 29, 2021

DESSER AEROSPACE launched e-commerce site that provides ability to match available new/retread tires, brakes and related components to aircraft type.

JORAMCO

Mar 30, 2021

JORAMCO has flydubai contract to perform all due C-Checks on 737-800s throughout 2021, extending long-term partnership.

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERS

Mar 30, 2021

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERS booked another follow-on order from Mexico's Aeronaves TSM for four more 737-400 freighter conversions (now seven); COMMERCIAL…

FEAM MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING

Mar 30, 2021

FEAM MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING opened line maintenance stations at Los Angeles International and Austin-Bergstrom.

ETIHAD AIRWAYS

Mar 30, 2021

ETIHAD AIRWAYS plans to temporarily convert cabin of a fifth 777-300ER to carry cargo.

LOTAMS

Mar 31, 2021

LOTAMS, Poland completed first C-Check on a 737-8 for LOT; three more are planned in 2Q21.

PANTA HOLDINGS

Apr 01, 2021

PANTA HOLDINGS has acquired FOKKER SERVICES (MRO) and FOKKER TECHNIEK (green aircraft completions, conversions, upgrades and refurbishments), with…

TRIUMPH GROUP

Apr 01, 2021

TRIUMPH GROUP and AFI KLM E&M agreed to form joint venture to overhaul next-generation nacelles at Hot Springs, AK.

EFW

Apr 01, 2021

EFW has MNG Airlines contract to convert two A330-300s to freighters at Dresden in 2021 (1) and 2022 (1).

LUFTHANSA TECHNIK

Apr 01, 2021

LUFTHANSA TECHNIK received second A350-900 from German Air Force for cabin completion for redelivery in late 2022.

CHINA AIRCRAFT SERVICES

Apr 01, 2021

CHINA AIRCRAFT SERVICES was selected by HK Express to provide (A320) cabin cleaning/disinfection services at Hong Kong International Airport.

HAECO XIAMEN

Apr 01, 2021

HAECO XIAMEN received its second A380-800 (263) from All Nippon Airways for scheduled heavy maintenance check.

Business Aviation

GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE

Mar 29, 2021

GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE delivered the 100th G500/G600 family aircraft.

BOMBARDIER

Mar 29, 2021

BOMBARDIER delivered its 50th Global 7500

COLIBRI AIRCRAFT

Mar 29, 2021

COLIBRI AIRCRAFT, UK reports 2,227 pre-owned business jets were purchased globally in 2020, up from 2,067 in 2019.

TEXTRON AVIATION

Apr 01, 2021

TEXTRON AVIATION delivered the 1,000th Citation 560XL series jet (a Citation XLS+); aircraft is managed by CUSTOM JET CHARTERS.

DASSAULT AVIATION

Apr 01, 2021

DASSAULT AVIATION had €396m adjusted net income on €3.5b sales in 2020 vs €814m on €5.7b in 2019, and ended year with €15.9b backlog (34 Falcons); it…

Aerospace

ROLLS-ROYCE

Mar 29, 2021

ROLLS-ROYCE began building its ULTRAFAN demonstrator with 140"-diameter fan at Derby for completion by end 2021.

AIRBUS

Mar 29, 2021

AIRBUS has launched Advanced Superconducting and Cryogenic Experimental powertraiN Demonstrator (ASCEND) to explore impact of superconducting…

SUMITOMO MITSUI FINANCE & LEASING

Mar 29, 2021

SUMITOMO MITSUI FINANCE & LEASING (SMFL) is acquiring 25% share of SMBC AERO ENGINE LEASE (SAEL) from Sumitomo Corp, increasing its stake to 90%; MTU…

AIRBUS AND MAANA

Mar 29, 2021

AIRBUS and Northern California-based MAANA announced AIRKOG intelligence platform that consolidates data from tens of different systems and…

AIRBUS

Mar 29, 2021

AIRBUS is said to be looking at airline interest in a factory-built A350-900F; it is expected to require orders for 50 for launch.

ACR ELECTRONICS

Mar 30, 2021

ACR ELECTRONICS, FL was selected by Boeing to supply ARTEX ELT 5000 distress tracking emergency locator transmitter for new commercial aircraft to…

LILIUM

Mar 30, 2021

LILIUM, Germany is merging with QELL ACQUISITION and plans to list on NASDAQ to fund development of 7-seat Lilium Jet eVTOL aircraft (projected…

GA TELESIS TARMAC SOLUTIONS GROUP

Mar 30, 2021

GA TELESIS TARMAC SOLUTIONS GROUP was appointed by Honeywell as authorized distributor of its UV treatment system for aircraft cabins.

AERION

Mar 30, 2021

AERION unveiled AS3TM Mach 4+ commercial airliner concept as follow-up to AS2 supersonic business jet; aircraft is expected to carry up to 50…

FACC

Mar 31, 2021

FACC has constructed flap prototype using resin transfer molding under Wing of Tommorrow program to develop innovative manufacturing processes for…

MAGELLAN AEROSPACE

Mar 31, 2021

MAGELLAN AEROSPACE extended Boeing contract to supply 737/767/777 landing gear kits and structural components.

BRITISH AIRWAYS

Mar 31, 2021

BRITISH AIRWAYS joined investor group that is injecting US$24.3m into ZEROAVIA to accelerate development of hydrogen-powered commerical aircraft …

DIGITAL INNOVATION GROUP

Mar 31, 2021

DIGITAL INNOVATION GROUP (GA Telesis) and GOVERNMENT BLOCKCHAIN ASSN launched working group to explore use of blockchain in aerospace/aviation and…

GTCR

Apr 01, 2021

GTCR has agreement with Gogo to convert all of its $105.7m convertible senior notes into Gogo common stock; it will then own 28.6% of GOGO.

GOGO

Apr 01, 2021

GOGO says it began process to refinance and replace its $975m outstanding 2024 senior secured notes and $30m undrawn asset-based facility.

STRATASYS

Apr 01, 2021

STRATASYS, Israel was selected by Senior Aerospace BWT, UK to provide two Fortus 450mc 3D printers at Macclesfield for producing components for low…

Defense

BOEING

Apr 01, 2021

BOEING has $1.7b US Navy contract for 11 more P-8As (737NGs) for delivery by September 2024 to Navy (9) and RAAF (2).

ELBIT SYSTEMS

Apr 01, 2021

ELBIT SYSTEMS has acquired BAE SYSTEMS ROKAR, Israel (GPS receivers/guidance systems) from BAE Systems.

AIRBUS

Mar 29, 2021

AIRBUS is said to be looking at airline interest in a factory-built A350-900F; it is expected to require orders for 50 for launch.

BOEING

Apr 01, 2021

BOEING was not selected by Canada as bidder to offer KC-46 as replacement for RCAF A310MRTT (CC-150 Polaris) fleet.

Who'sNews

WHO’SNEWS: VALLAIR

Mar 29, 2021

Armando Filho to Director of Material Management of Vallair, Luxembourg.

WHO'SNEWS: NORWEGIAN

Mar 29, 2021

Adrian Dunne to Executive Vice President-Operations of Norwegian.