Air Transport

Historically, shocks to the global air transport industry have ushered in waves of merger activity among U.S. carriers.

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has signed a major financing agreement worth SAR11.2 billion ($3 billion), the largest of its kind in Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector history.

Maldivian, the national carrier of the Maldives, is to expand its operations to India as it seeks to attract more premium leisure traffic.

Australia’s competition watchdog has dismissed claims by Regional Express (Rex) that Qantas’ entry into thin regional domestic routes is anti-competitive.

International Airlines Group (IAG) plans to issue two series of senior unsecured bonds as it seeks to bolster its financial position in the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

The U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) is now requiring Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific to file its U.S. flight schedules with the agency so it can determine if the company’s operations are creating adverse conditions.

Fraport, operator of Frankfurt Airport and 30 other airports globally, has confirmed that Frankfurt’s new Terminal 3 will not be ready for operations until 2026, the latest in a series of delays to the building.

Organizers of the Farnborough Airshow have said the event will not be impacted by plans to develop part of the exhibition space into a film set.

Hybrid-electric pioneer Ampaire plans to conduct the UK’s first electric regional flight following a successful bid for funding support under the government’s £125 million ($174 million) Future Flight Challenge.

KARGO XPRESS (M Jets International), Malaysia leased ex-Connect Linhas Aéreas 737-400F (26605) from Vallair for startup.

AIR CHINA agreed to purchase 18 LEAP-powered A320neos from AFS Investments (GECAS subsidiary) through end of 2022.

Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Neste and German research center DLR have teamed for the world’s first inflight study of the effects on emissions and performance of using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on a widebody passenger aircraft.

IAG issued two series of senior unsecured bonds to eligible counterparties and professional clients valued at €500m each.

DELTA AIR LINES sold seventh new A321-200 (10003) to SMBC Aviation Capital for leaseback as part of 8-aircraft deal.

AIR PEACE, Nigeria took delivery of its second (040) of 13 E195-E2s on order from Embraer; it also has eight ERJs.

Jaime E. Pous was promoted to Chief Financial Officer of Volaris, Mexico City.

MNG AIRLINES, Turkey leased ex-China Southern A330-300 (879) with Trent 700s from BOC Aviation.

KF AEROSPACE purchased ex-Miami Air Intl. 737-800 (32799) from AerSale for possible conversion to freighter.

AERFIN acquired unidentified 777-300ER (its first 777) for part out by TARMAC AEROSAVE at Tarbes, France.

GOL posted R$5b net loss in 2020 (vs R$692m profit in 2019) on 7% lower revenues. It ended year with 127 737s (seven MAXs) with 73 737-8s and 22 737

Aeroflot Group has confirmed that a planned regional hub in Krasnoyarsk, located in the Siberia region of Russia, will open in June.

Qatar Airways Cargo wants to speed up the digitalization of air cargo in 2021, saying that the industry has taken too long to improve its way of doing business.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the arrival at London’s Heathrow Airport of the first traveller using the IATA Travel Pass app to manage their travel health credentials.

ATR is determined to emerge stronger from the COVID crisis by strengthening its global presence in the next decade and by continuing to offer the most sustainable and modern option for regional air travel.

AirAsia Group has raised MYR336.5 million ($82 million) following the completion of a two-tiered private share placement, part of a broader plan to raise MYR2-2.5 billion to save the struggling LCC operator which has been battered by the pandemic.