Airlines & Lessors

The Chinese government has lowered domestic jet fuel prices 5.82% to CNY7,871 per ton ($1,256) as international fuel prices fluctuate.

International Airlines Group (IAG) has converted 18 Boeing 787 options into firm orders for British Airways.

Virgin Atlantic is likely to form a tie-up with SkyTeam members Air France-KLM and Alitalia, as part of a new joint venture (JV) with its new part-owner Delta Air Lines.

Qatar Airways and Boeing are in talks regarding the 777X, CEO Akbar Al Baker told ATW.

Lufthansa is considering new long-haul options on routes to India and Southeast Asia to offset competition by Middle East carriers.

Air cargo volumes in February maintained the modest growth in demand that began in the fourth quarter of 2012, IATA reported Tuesday.

Poland’s government has passed a regulation that paves the way for the privatization of LOT Polish Airlines.

AFI KLM E&M won a contract from Turkey’s Corendon Airlines to provide engine maintenance services for its CFM56-7s.

The 15 Biggest CO2 Intra-European Emitting Airlines in EU ETS 2012 Provisional Data

Etihad Airways has started daily Abu Dhabi-Washington Dulles flights, adding a fourth North American destination to its network.

Austrian Airlines Group has phased out its final Boeing 737-800 as part of its restructuring process to eliminate the brand Lauda Air.

United Airlines fleet service, passenger service and storekeeper employees rejected tentative labor agreements reached with airline management in February.

LOT Polish Airlines has taken an Airbus A330 on wet lease from Portuguese lessor Hi Fly as an interim measure during the Boeing 787 grounding.

India’s domestic air traffic has remained stagnant through the first two months of the year despite discounting by airlines.

Small Planet Airlines, an independent charter company, announced a buyout of 99.5% of Small Planet Airlines UAB (Lithuania) and Small Planet Airlines Sp. Z o.o. (Poland) shares from Lithuania-based Avia Solutions Group.

Russia and Finland authorities have agreed to designate second carriers on the Moscow-Helsinki route.

Austrian Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines have formally joined Lufthansa’s joint venture with Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA).

Pilot Training Network GmbH, a subsidiary of Lufthansa Flight Training GmbH, will train 100 young pilot cadets for Turkish Airlines.

Airline News

American Airlines and Orbitz Worldwide reached an agreement to end their legal dispute.

Air China has reported a 2012 net profit of CNY4.95 billion ($788 million), down 33.8% compared to CNY7.5 billion in 2011, according to a filing released by the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Transaero Airlines plans to develop its presence at Moscow Vnukovo Airport, a year after launching operations at the base.

Air France-KLM has hit the upper target of its convertible bonds private placement, putting it on track to raise €550 million ($714 million) for fleet and debt financing.

Israeli carrier El Al is to receive more than $190 million in financing from the US Export-Import Bank to help support its Boeing 737-900ER acquisition.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of Australia suspended regional charter operator Barrier Aviation following a “comprehensive investigation of a wide range of critical safety issues relating to aircraft maintenance.”