Airlines & Lessors

The pilot in command of Asiana Airlines Flight 214, the Boeing 777-200ER that crashed on landing at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) July 6, told investigators that he assumed the aircraft’s auto-throttles were engaged and maintaining a speed of 137 knots as the 777 came in for a landing.

Ethiopian Airlines has finalized a deal to acquire 49% of Air Malawi, which will be renamed as Malawian Airlines Ltd., according to local media reports.

Taiwan-based China Airlines, which became a SkyTeam member in September 2011, continues to invest in the alliance and is slowly realizing a benefit.

China’s Hainan Airlines, which has taken delivery of its first of 10 Boeing 787s, plans to accelerate its international expansion pace.

Russian authorities have designated Transaero Airline for 7X-weekly Moscow-Istanbul service.

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has taken delivery of its first of four Embraer E-190s.

International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) has completed 125 lease transactions during the first half.

Russia’s Yakutia Airline has taken delivery of its third Bombardier Q400, the final aircraft from a 2012 order.

Charter carrier Air Partner will base two Germania Airbus A319 aircraft operating for two British tour operators in the UK.

Airline Routes

A US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) “preliminary review” of Asiana Airlines Flight 214’s cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) has revealed that the Boeing 777-200ER approached San Francisco International Airport (SFO) too slowly.

Thomson Airways has begun Boeing 787 long-haul commercial operations, with two initial departures from Manchester and Glasgow.

Etihad Airways has announced what it described as its strongest-ever half-year financial performance.

The European Commission plans to overhaul the rules on state aid for airports, which have come under fire from the region’s airlines, airports and regional organizations.

Malaysian short-haul specialist Firefly has received the first aircraft of a major order for ATR 72-600 turboprops.

Russia’s Transaero Airline reported 2012 full-year loss RUB228 million ($6.86 million), narrowed from RUB2.19 billion net profit in the year-ago period.

Air China has become the first Chinese carrier to trial free inflight Wi-Fi service on its Airbus A330-300 Beijing-Chengdu service.

Oman Air is considering whether to launch a low-cost carrier (LCC) to compete with regional airlines making inroads into its market.

EgyptAir said in a statement Sunday that, in spite of political changes in Egypt, it is making every effort to maintain scheduled operations.

Lufthansa subsidiary Germanwings and its cabin crew reached a last-minute agreement over payment this weekend, narrowly avoiding a strike.

Japan’s ANA has announced two new international routes that it will operate using the Boeing 787.

FedEx Corp. has completed the first stage of its acquisition of southern African service provider Supaswift’s business operations in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia. FedEx Express will take over the businesses once required regulatory approvals and closing conditions have been met.

Aer Lingus is adding 5X-weekly Airbus A330 Dublin-San Francisco service in April 2014. It currently serves Boston, Chicago, New York and Orlando. The Irish airline will also begin year-round Boeing 757 Dublin-Toronto service in April. It will offer daily summer service and 4X-weekly winter flights.

Briefs from the July 8, 2013 issue of ATW's Skypaths.

The flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) have been recovered from the wreckage of Asiana Airlines Flight 214, according to the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).