Airlines & Lessors

Norwegian Air Shuttle launched its first long-haul flight Thursday with Oslo-New York JFK services, followed by Stockholm Arlanda-New York JFK services Friday.

Briefs from the June 3, 2013 issue of ATW's Skypaths

Temel Kotil became CEO at Turkish Airlines on March 24, 2003. He has transformed the flag carrier to one of the fastest-growing in the world. Turkish operates to 221 destinations with a fleet of 215 aircraft and continues its expansion.

Data Trends from the June 2013 issue of ATW

It was a Valentine's Day pact of the unlikeliest pair of lovers. On Feb. 14, after months of “will they, won’t they?” and considerable wooing by the smaller of the larger, US Airways and American Airlines announced it was official.

TUI Travel has signed a commitment for 40 Boeing 737 MAX-8s and 20 Boeing 737 MAX-9s, plus options on a further 90 aircraft.

UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said an emergency landing May 24 by a British Airways Airbus A319 at London Heathrow Airport was caused by the engine cowling doors being left unlatched following maintenance.

Abu-Dhabi-based Etihad Airways will substantially increase its connections with the Eastern European nation of Belarus.

Thomson Airways has taken delivery of its first of eight Boeing 787s, the first to be delivered to a UK airline.

Lufthansa, which took delivery of its seventh Boeing 747-8I Thursday, is considering introducing the aircraft on its daily Frankfurt-Chicago O’Hare services.

Aeroflot has taken delivery of its first Sukhoi Superjet 100 in full specification.

Aircraft News

Singapore Airlines has agreed to buy 30 Boeing 787-10s and 30 additional Airbus A350-900s.

Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair could be forced to sell or reduce its 29.8% stake in Aer Lingus after UK Competition Commission (CC) provisionally ruled it could reduce competition between Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Tour operator Thomas Cook Group has struck a deal to lease nine Airbus A321-200s from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), including six aircraft it was previously taking directly from Airbus.

AerCap Holdings has entered into a $2.6 billion sale and leaseback agreement with LATAM Airlines Group for 25 widebody aircraft.

Malaysia Airlines reported a first-quarter net loss of MRY279 million ($91.9 million), widened from a net deficit of MRY172 million in the 2012 March quarter.

Sharjah-based low-cost carrier (LCC) Air Arabia reported a first-quarter net profit of AED59 million ($16 million), up 20% from AED49 million in the year-ago period.

Hawaiian Airlines has closed $444.54 million in financing to acquire six new Airbus A330-200 aircraft to be delivered over the next 18 months.

New Alitalia CEO Gabriele Del Torchio is working on a fresh business plan after revealing a first-quarter net loss of €157 million ($202.6 million), marking a 19.8% deterioration from a €131 million loss in the year-ago period.

Hainan Airlines parent HNA Group is preparing to apply to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to launch five new airlines as the regulator loosens its grip on approving new entrants.

AirAsia reported a first-quarter pre-tax profit of MYR131.8 million ($43.3 million), down from MYR212.4 million in the year ago period.

Aegean Airlines has narrowed its first-quarter pre-tax losses to €8.2 million ($10.6 million), significantly improved from a loss of €31.2 million recorded during the year-ago period.

Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) has approved Virgin Australia’s acquisition of a 60% stake in Tiger Airways Australia, Virgin Australia Holdings (VAH) has announced.