Airlines & Lessors

Lufthansa said its new Germanwings subsidiary is evolving faster than planned and is ahead of schedule.

Chinese carriers reported a first-quarter net profit of CNY1 billion ($160 million), down 20% compared to CNY1.25 billion in the year-ago quarter.

Latvian-based Air Baltic will grow its Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 NextGen fleet from eight to 12 this summer, to be phased in between May and July.

South African Airways (SAA) has submitted its long-term turnaround strategy to Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba in compliance with a ministerial directive issued in October 2012.

The US Dept. of Transportation (DOT) has approved Etihad Airways application to begin codesharing with Aer Lingus to US destinations.

Lufthansa Systems is in final customer negotiations for its BoardConnect wireless inflight entertainment (IFE) system following a series of airline trials.

Airport Traffic—2013

Hawaiian Airlines has selected Pratt & Whitney 1000G geared turbofan engines to power its new fleet of Airbus A321neo aircraft.

Korean Air has completed a transaction to take a 44% stake in SkyTeam partner CSA Czech Airlines in a bid to save the Czech flag carrier from bankruptcy.

Swiss regional carrier SkyWork Airlines has completed a management buyout.

Irish regional Aer Arann is looking for more franchise opportunities similar to its Aer Lingus agreement, whereby all its flights operate under the Aer Lingus Regional banner.

Oman Air is interested in Ka-band connectivity to provide the carrier with greater bandwidth; however, the move would require its aircraft to be equipped with a new antenna.

LOT Polish Airlines has signed a wet lease agreement with EuroAtlantic for a Boeing 767-300ER as an interim measure during the Boeing 787 grounding.

Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris has taken delivery of its first of 44 Airbus A320 with sharklets.

Kenya Airways has taken delivery of its first fully owned freighter—a new Boeing 737-300—for use in the growing African cargo market.

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Canadian regional Porter Airlines has signed a conditional purchase order for 12 Bombardier CS100 aircraft, with 18 options.

Barcelona-based low-cost carrier Vueling has unanimously recommended that shareholders accept an improved takeover offer of €9.25 ($12.10) per share from International Airlines Group (IAG).

Investigators said crew error was the cause of a Feb. 13 Ukraine South Airlines Antonov AN-24 crash at Donetsk airport, which killed five.

Air Malta expects to sharply reduce its losses this year as it enacts its turnaround plan, according to CEO Peter Davies.

Irish regional CityJet CEO Christine Ourmières said she is impressed with the caliber of bidders for the carrier.

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has won four new ground-handling contracts from North American airlines.

Turkish Airlines has committed to order 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, 10 737 MAX 9s and 20 737-800s as it continues its growth plans for single-aisle aircraft.

SITA said the world’s airlines improved baggage handling in 2012 as the rate of mishandled bags dropped 1.8% compared to 2011.

Austral Líneas Aéreas, a subsidiary of Aerolíneas Argentina Group, has agreed to purchase two Embraer E-190s.