Airlines & Lessors

SkyWest Inc., the parent of St. George, Utah-based SkyWest Airlines and Atlanta-based ExpressJet Airlines, posted a second-quarter net profit of $20.7 million, up 22.2% from a net income of $17 million in the year-ago quarter.

Air Canada reported a second-quarter net loss of C$23 million ($22.2 million), narrowed from a C$161 million net deficit in the 2012 June quarter, and touted record operating income.

Etihad Airways spelled out the importance of Australia to its future plans Wednesday, outlining a range of upgrades to existing connections.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary believes there is “little doubt” the UK Competition Commission (UKCC) will ultimately order Ryanair to sell its 29.8% stake in Aer Lingus.

Philippine Airlines has taken delivery of its first of 64 Airbus A321s.

Twenty-one Chinese carriers are expected to receive CNY433 million ($70.2 million) in subsidies to operate regional routes, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

Indian low-cost carrier (LCC) SpiceJet is reportedly in discussions with Singapore-based Tiger Airways for a possible equity stake sale.

Sharjah-based low-cost carrier Air Arabia reported a first-half net profit of AED134 million (36.5 million), a 17% increase over the same period last year when the airline posted a profit of AED115 million.

International Airlines Group (IAG) has options for 32 Airbus A350-900s and 12 Boeing 787-9s, which could be destined for Iberia if the Spanish carrier succeeds with its restructuring plan.

Stamford, Conn., based commercial aircraft lessor Aircastle Limited has reported a second-quarter net income of $32.9 million, more than doubled from $16.3 million net income year-over-year.

California-based Air Lease Corp. (ALC) announced a long-term lease agreement with airberlin for one new Boeing 737-800 aircraft scheduled for delivery in February 2016, as well as lease extensions on six aircraft.

The European Commission has approved the American Airlines-US Airways merger, the two airlines said in a statement.

Lufthansa Group subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines has reported a second-quarter operating profit of SFR96 million ($101.5 million), up 48% compared to SFR65 million in the year-ago period.

Lufthansa Group subsidiary Austrian Airlines, 16 months into its comprehensive €220 million ($286.1 million) restructuring program, has reported a second-quarter operating profit of €21 million ($27.3 million), up 75% compared to $15.6 million in the year-ago period.

UK regional Flybe has announced further board and senior management changes following last month’s management reshuffle.

Air Lituanica, the Lithuanian start-up that launched operations on June 30, has added Berlin Tegel as its third destination.

Germany’s Intro Group, majority owner of Austria-based regional Intersky, and Swiss regional SkyWork Airlines are in early talks about a possible cooperation.

Russia’s Saratov-based Saravia Airlines has leased two Embraer E-195s, becoming the first Embraer E-Jet operator in Russia.

US Airways has reached a tentative agreement with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), which represent the airline’s 6,500 reservation and airport agents.

People

Air Lituanica, the Lithuanian startup that launched operations on June 30, has added Berlin Tegel as its third destination.

JetBlue Airways and South African Airways announced an expanded bilateral codeshare agreement, pending government approval.

Briefs from the August 5, 2013 issue of ATW's Skypaths

Turkish Airlines CEO Temel Kotil has confirmed to ATW the carrier has transferred three Airbus A330-300 options into firm orders.

International Airlines Group (IAG) has reported a second-quarter net profit of €127 million ($168.3 million), reversing a €78 million loss in the year-ago period.