Airlines & Lessors

Vijayawada-based Air Costa has acquired three E-Jets for launch of its scheduled regional airline service in India.

New Lithuanian start-up Air Lituanica has acquired two Embraer E-Jets.

New Tunisia-based Syphax Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to buy three Airbus A320neos, making it the first time an African-based carrier has ordered the neo.

United Airlines has increased its 787 Dreamliner order to 65 aircraft (including six previously delivered aircraft) with an order for 20 787-10s.

Embraer kicked off the Paris Air Show with the launch of its second-generation E-Jet, the E2, and secured a firm order from SkyWest Inc. for 100 E-175-E2 aircraft.

London City-based startup Odyssey Airlines has been revealed as the customer for 10 Bombardier CS100s, which were ordered in June 2011.

The Lufthansa Group has firmed up a previous supervisory board decision to acquire 100 A320 family aircraft, comprising 35 A320neo, 35 A321neo and 30 A320ceo with sharklets.

Qatar Airways has ordered nine Boeing 777-300ERs aircraft at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget.

International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) has signed a firm contract for the purchase of 50 additional Airbus A320neo family aircraft, Airbus announced at the Paris Air Show.

Tokyo-based Skymark Airlines (Skymark) announced at the Paris Air Show its intention to select the Boeing 737 MAX for its fleet renewal program.

Etihad Airways has inked a memorandum of understanding with the Serbian government, paving the way for it to take a stake in JAT Airways.

FLY Leasing has acquired two Boeing 737-800 aircraft, both manufactured in 2013. The aircraft are on 10-year leases to leading carriers in the US and China.

China Southern Airlines has selected Pratt & Whitney’s PW4170 Advantage70 engine to power its order of 16 Airbus A330 aircraft.

China Southern Airlines subsidiary Xiamen Airlines has selected GE Aviation GEnx-1B engines to power its six Boeing 787s.

The new owners of London Stansted Airport, Manchester Airports Group, and easyJet have reached an agreement that will see the low-cost carrier (LCC) greatly expand its passenger throughput at the airport over the next five years.

Fastjet has signed an MOU with Nigerian start-up Red 1 Airways, paving the way for the creation of Fastjet Nigeria.

Briefs from the June 17, 2013 issue of ATW's Skypaths

SAS Scandinavian Airlines is aiming to close the sale of regional airline Wideroe in September after receiving the go-ahead for the deal from Norway’s competition authorities.

Aeromexico will take delivery of its first Boeing 787-8 in the first half of August, making it the first Mexican carrier to operate the aircraft.

Israeli investment fund FIMI has come a step closer to holding the largest stake in El Al Airlines after the carrier’s shareholders agreed to its investment proposal.

Russia’s Aeroflot will ground its three Boeing MD-11 freighters, although the decision has not yet been officially announced.

Horizon Air, subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, has reached a tentative agreement with its flight attendants on a new five-year contract.

People

The first Airbus A350 XWB flight test aircraft, MSN1, completed its maiden flight from Toulouse Blagnac airport.

UAE cargo specialist Maximus Air has grounded its Airbus A300-600RF fleet and has decided to leave the ACMI side of the business.