Airlines & Lessors

FedEx Corp. said it has permanently retired or will accelerate the retirement of 86 aircraft and 308 related engines as it continues to modernize its aircraft fleet and improve its global network.

S7 Group won the bid for a 25.5% stake in Sibir Airlines, according to Alfa-bank, which is overseeing the transaction.

After a four-and-a-half-month hiatus, LOT Polish Airlines has re-launched Boeing 787 operations four days ahead of schedule.

China Southern Airlines on Saturday became the first Chinese carrier to take delivery of its first Boeing 787, which will be used as part of its international expansion plans.

Etihad Airways and Air Algerie both begin services to São Paulo, Brazil.

EasyJet will begin 2X-weekly Rome Fiumicino-Tel Aviv Airbus A320 service September 24.

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.