Air Transport

Hainan Airlines intends to commence flights between Chengdu and Vienna in December, marking its second route to Austria.

Installations of systems designed to prevent fuel nozzle coking on CFM International Leap 1A engines are ramping up, a senior GE Aerospace official says.

Bankrupt Australian carrier Rex is reportedly close to selling off one of its subsidiary carriers, Pel-Air, to logistics company Toll Group.

The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) has signed an MoU with King Salman International Airport (KSIA) to collaborate towards enhancing the profile of cargo and logistics within the region.

Aer Lingus is launching a new route between Dublin and Indianapolis using Airbus A321XLR aircraft.

On the heels of completing a massive airfield reconstruction, ONT in southern California is reporting strong growth, particularly in domestic traffic.

NOUVELAIR TUNISIE took delivery of LEAP-powered A320neo (12308) on lease from BOC Aviation, completed deal for two.

TAFL (Formidion Aviation) acquired two CRJ900LRs (15280/15281) from China Express Airlines.

FLYSAFAIR leased a second 737-800 (40972; ex-Comair) from AELF in transaction financed by Investec Bank.

SKY AIRLINE, Chile agreed to lease four LEAP-powered A320neos from SMBC Aviation Capital; first (12325) delivered.

BREEZE AIRWAYS took delivery of new A220-300 (55293) on lease from AerCap. It now has 30 A220s.

NAV CANADA reports traffic increase of 4.4% in September vs Sept 2023.

AIRBORNE CAPITAL, Ireland purchased 737-800 (42069; leased to NORWEGIAN) from Aircastle.

EASTAR JET, Korea signed agreement to acquire 12 737-8s in 2025 (7) and 2026 (5) to increase fleet to 27.

UNITED AIRLINES reports it entered into definitive agreements with major aircraft leasing companies to lease 40 A321neos for delivery 2026 and 2027; 20 aircraft are coming from SMBC Aviation Capital (SPNWS; September 20).

AZORRA closed offering of $550m of senior unsecured notes and entered into $464m Term Loan B facility.

AVIATION CAPITAL GROUP closed $1b in unsecured credit/loan facilities from syndication of 23 lenders.

EMIRATES ordered five more 777Fs and now has 14 on order for delivery through 2026 to increase fleet of production 777Fs to 21. It has also contracted with IAI to convert 10 777-300ERs to freighters at Abu Dhabi (SPNWS; August 12).

Southwest Airlines and Elliott Investment Management are reportedly engaged in discussions about the activist investor’s representation on the board.

German company DFS Aviation Services plans to supply Dubai’s air navigation service provider DANS with personnel for five years starting from 2025.

Norse Atlantic Airways is to offer a new Rome-Los Angeles service next summer but is cutting back capacity on other transatlantic routes.

SunExpress will double the number of aircraft it leases to South African Airways to handle increased traffic levels over the Southern Hemisphere summer season.

Qantas is facing the prospect of massive compensation and penalty payments after the latest court ruling in a long-running legal dispute.

Emirates Airline has placed a further order for dedicated freighter aircraft as the carrier significantly boosts its cargo capacity.

Etihad Airways has been named as the Official Airline and Platinum Sponsor for the upcoming event, scheduled for 19-21 November 2024.