Virgin Group chairman Richard Branson has indicated that Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS), long known for its independent streak, is closing in on a decision to join a global alliance.
The Stockholm Stock Exchange has halted the trade in shares of SAS Scandinavian Airlines after rumors in the media over the company’s financial situation, an SAS spokesperson confirmed to ATW.
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways (EY) has signed a firm order for two additional Airbus A330-200 passenger aircraft as part of the carrier’s continued growth plans.
Virgin Australia (DJ) has acquired 60% of Tiger Airways Australia (TT), 100% of Australian regional Skywest Airlines (XR) and has sold a 10% stake to Singapore Airlines (SIA).
TNT Express is preparing to sell a majority shareholding in its TNT Airways (3V) subsidiary, if its planned merger with United Parcel Service (UPS) receives the go-ahead.
Lufthansa (LH) has ended its cooperation with regional partner Augsburg Airways (IQ) from October 2013, as part of its €1.5 billion cost-cutting program SCORE.
Azerbaijan’s national carrier AZAL (J2) and Serbian Jat Airways (JU) are in negotiations to launch joint flights from Azerbaijan to the US via Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport (BEG) in 2013.
Italian civil aviation authority ENAC has downgraded Blue Panorama (BV) to a provisional license and given it 12 months to restructure under a form of bankruptcy protection.
China Southern Airlines (CZ) has reported a third-quarter net income of CNY2.22 billion ($353 million), down 29.3% compared to a net profit of CNY3.2 billion in the year-ago quarter, mainly due to foreign exchange losses.
Lufthansa (LH) and Australia-based Algae Tec have signed a collaborative agreement to build facility that would produce algae on a large scale and convert it to aviation biofuels. The site will be in Europe and located adjacent to an industrial CO2 source, the companies said in a statement. LH will arrange 100% funding for the project while Algae Tec will manage it and receive license fees and profits.
EasyJet (U2) chief Carolyn McCall is aiming for 3%-5% organic growth over the next 3-5 years, as the airline continues to assess a possible aircraft order.
The cowling panel of an almost-new Caribbean Airlines (BW) ATR72 became detached during takeoff on flight BW300 bound from Piarco (POS) to for Caracas Friday morning. The aircraft returned to POS “without incident,” under normal power.
Finnair (AY) has reported a third-quarter net income of €50.8 million ($65.9 million), up more than 200% from a €1.9 million profit reported in the year-ago period.
