Airlines & Lessors

Russia’s Yakutia Airline has taken delivery of its third Bombardier Q400, the final aircraft from a 2012 order.

Charter carrier Air Partner will base two Germania Airbus A319 aircraft operating for two British tour operators in the UK.

Airline Routes

A US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) “preliminary review” of Asiana Airlines Flight 214’s cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) has revealed that the Boeing 777-200ER approached San Francisco International Airport (SFO) too slowly.

Thomson Airways has begun Boeing 787 long-haul commercial operations, with two initial departures from Manchester and Glasgow.

Etihad Airways has announced what it described as its strongest-ever half-year financial performance.

The European Commission plans to overhaul the rules on state aid for airports, which have come under fire from the region’s airlines, airports and regional organizations.

Malaysian short-haul specialist Firefly has received the first aircraft of a major order for ATR 72-600 turboprops.

Russia’s Transaero Airline reported 2012 full-year loss RUB228 million ($6.86 million), narrowed from RUB2.19 billion net profit in the year-ago period.

Air China has become the first Chinese carrier to trial free inflight Wi-Fi service on its Airbus A330-300 Beijing-Chengdu service.

Oman Air is considering whether to launch a low-cost carrier (LCC) to compete with regional airlines making inroads into its market.

EgyptAir said in a statement Sunday that, in spite of political changes in Egypt, it is making every effort to maintain scheduled operations.

Lufthansa subsidiary Germanwings and its cabin crew reached a last-minute agreement over payment this weekend, narrowly avoiding a strike.

Japan’s ANA has announced two new international routes that it will operate using the Boeing 787.

FedEx Corp. has completed the first stage of its acquisition of southern African service provider Supaswift’s business operations in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia. FedEx Express will take over the businesses once required regulatory approvals and closing conditions have been met.

Aer Lingus is adding 5X-weekly Airbus A330 Dublin-San Francisco service in April 2014. It currently serves Boston, Chicago, New York and Orlando. The Irish airline will also begin year-round Boeing 757 Dublin-Toronto service in April. It will offer daily summer service and 4X-weekly winter flights.

Briefs from the July 8, 2013 issue of ATW's Skypaths.

The flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) have been recovered from the wreckage of Asiana Airlines Flight 214, according to the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Asiana Airlines said it is unaware of any mechanical problems with the Boeing 777-200ER that crashed on landing Saturday at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), killing two passengers.

[UPDATED] A US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) emergency “go-team” has been dispatched to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to investigate Saturday’s crash landing of Asiana Airlines Flight 214, a Boeing 777-200ER en route from Seoul Incheon International Airport.

The FAA confirmed to ATW that Asiana Airlines Flight 214, a Boeing 777 arriving from Seoul, South Korea, crashed while landing on runway 28L at San Francisco International Airport.

Canada and China have forged a new and expanded bilateral aviation agreement that will allow for a threefold increase in passenger and cargo flights between those countries. Canada’s transport minister Jean-C. Lapierre and international trade minister Jim Peterson announced the agreement Thursday.

Italian flag-carrier Alitalia has revealed its turnaround plan, which will see increased emphasis on international services. The ‘Industrial Plan 2013-16’ by new CEO Gabriele Del Torchio will focus on three businesses: Alitalia, Air One and Alitalia Loyalty, which is developing and enhancing the airline’s MilleMiglia frequent flyer program.

Kenya Airways CEO Titus Naikuni wants to join forces with a West African airline, but efforts are being thwarted by a lack of suitable partners.

The US Dept. of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported record-high passenger load factors for March, comprising systemwide (84.3%), domestic (85.0%) and international (82.8%) load factors.