Airlines & Lessors

The New Zealand Minister for Transport has approved the partnership between Australia’s Qantas and Dubai-based Emirates Airline.

Air Berlin reported a first-quarter net loss of €196.3 million ($254.8 million), widened from a €163.6 million loss in the year-ago period.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has approved the launch of Kunming-based Ruili Airlines, opening the door to new entrants in China.

Norwegian Air Shuttle continues its European expansion as it taps into the Germany-Spain market, which is dominated by Air Berlin and Condor Airlines on leisure routes.

Lebanon’s central bank, Banque du Liban, has blocked a proposed takeover of financially troubled Cyprus Airways by Beirut-based Middle East Airlines (MEA).

Turkish Airlines has finalized a firm order for 40 737 MAX 8s, 10 737 MAX 9s and 20 737-800 Next Gens, valued at $6.9 billion at list prices.

Airbus parent EADS posted a first-quarter net income of €241 million ($312.7 million), up 91% from €126 million in the year-ago period.

Norwegian Air Shuttle has partnered with Virgin Atlantic Airways, tapping the UK carrier for advice on long-haul operations in return for Boeing 787 pilot training.

Turkish Airlines employees are reportedly planning to strike early Wednesday morning, an airline source told ATW.

Croatia Airlines employees went on strike Tuesday, causing about 30 flight cancellations through Wednesday.

British Airways and Iberia parent International Airlines Group (IAG) is offering €390 million worth of convertible bonds to fund its acquisition of Spanish carrier Vueling.

Copa Holdings, parent of Panama’s Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia, posted first-quarter net income of $113.8 million, up 18.7% over net profit of $95.9 million in the year-ago period.

Brazil’s GOL posted a first-quarter net loss of BRL75.3 million ($37.2 million), worsened from a net loss of BRL41.4 million in the year-ago quarter.

MIAT Mongolian Airlines has taken delivery of a Boeing 767-300ER, its first-ever direct purchase delivery.

Air India’s first of six grounded aircraft will resume commercial flights Wednesday on domestic routes and May 22 on international routes, India’s minister for civil aviation Ajit Singh said Tuesday.

United Airlines, the US launch customer for the Boeing 787 with six in its fleet, said it will restart Dreamliner service May 20 with domestic flights.

The Emirates Group reported a net profit of AED3.1 billion ($844.2 million) for its full 2012-2013 fiscal year ended March 31, up 34.3% over net income of AED2.3 billion in the prior year, on a 17.2% rise in revenue to AED77.5 billion.

Swiss International Air Lines said six members of its extended management board have agreed to take a 5% pay cut from July 1 until the end of 2015 in the face of continued financial difficulties.

Virgin America incurred a net loss of $145.4 million for the full year 2012, widened from a net deficit of $100.4 million in 2011, and followed those results up with a $46.4 million net loss in the 2013 first quarter.

UK regional carrier Flybe is in talks to sell some of its London Gatwick Airport slots.

Airbus, Air Canada and BioFuelNet Canada have formed a partnership to assess Canadian solutions for the production of sustainable jet fuels with a long-term goal of supplying Air Canada.

Lufthansa and SAS Scandinavian Airlines will discontinue their network cooperation on routes between Germany and Scandinavia.

GOL and Delta Air Lineshave entered into a codeshare agreement on routes between Brasilia and Atlanta.

All Nippon Airways will resume Boeing 787 service June 1, following successful battery system modifications, safety checks and test flights.

International Airlines Group (IAG), parent company of Iberia and British Airways, reported a sharp deterioration in its first-quarter results compared to the previous year, taking into account exceptional items.