Airlines & Lessors

Air China (CA) has warned its first-half profit could drop more than 50% compared to a net income of CNY4.06 billion ($643 million) in the year-ago period, according to a CA statement released by the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Irish flag-carrier Aer Lingus (EI) has formally rejected the latest takeover attempt by low-cost carrier Ryanair (FR).

Following six consecutive loss-making quarters, American Airlines’ (AA) parent AMR Corp. has posted a 2012 second quarter net profit of $95 million excluding special costs related to its restructuring.

Airbus and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have secured European competition clearance for their newly established Taxibot joint venture (JV).

Bolivian authorities have withdrawn the air operators certificate (AOC) for AeroSur (5L) after the carrier, which had been grounded since May 18, failed to fulfill requirements to have its temporary AOC reinstated.

Communications Workers of America (CWA) fleet and passenger service employees have voted to ratify a four-and-a-half-year collective bargaining agreement with Piedmont Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of US Airways.

Austrian Airlines (OS) has signed a letter of intent to lease five of seven planned 168-seat Airbus A320s scheduled for delivery through early 2013.

Airlines have severely criticized the latest government aviation consultation document, saying it fails to address London airport congestion.

Swiss forwarding and logistics specialist Panalpina has sold its 12.09% stake in Luxair (LG) to the State of Luxembourg for an undisclosed sum.

United Continental Holdings said that flight attendants from the former Continental Airlines (CO) have ratified a new labor agreement.

Chile-based LAN Airlines said its first Boeing 787 has exited Boeing’s paint shop in Everett, Wash., completing its final assembly phase

Chinese carriers reported a collective profit of CNY3.78 billion ($598 million) in the first half, down 70.5% from a net income of CNY12.83 billion year-over-year.

Airbus parent EADS is looking to acquire its own in-house banking license to safeguard its liquidity during the European financial crisis.

Europe’s network carriers are forecasting a €1.5 billion ($1.8 billion) EBIT loss in 2012, as the bottom line fails to keep pace with traffic growth.

A dual engine failure brought Dana Air Flight 992 down in a densely populated residential area, killing all 153 passengers and crew and another 10 people on the ground, according to Nigeria’s Accident Investigation Bureau (AIC).

UK aerostructures specialist GKN finalized a deal to buy Sweden’s Volvo Aero, the aero engine division of Volvo AB.

AirBaltic (BT) is planning to add up to three Bombardier Q400s this winter and is mulling its options as four Boeing 737s come to the end of its lease.

Norwegian Air Shuttle (DY) reported a pre-tax profit of NOK125 million ($20.5 million) for the second quarter of 2012, up almost NOK50 million (68%) from NOK74.5 million in the year-ago period.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has filed an application with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for antitrust immunity (ATI) to add Swiss International Air Lines (LX) and Austrian Airlines (OS), both Lufthansa Group carriers, to its Japan-Europe joint venture (JV) with Lufthansa (LH).

Latvian carrier AirBaltic (BT) is hoping to acquire a CSeries simulator for its Riga training centre after signing a letter of intent to acquire 10 CS300s.

Halifax-based Jazz Aviation has placed six firm Bombardier Q400 NextGen orders valued at $189 million at list prices.

United Airlines capped a bumper air show for Boeing Thursday with a $14.7 billion firm order for 100 737 MAX aircraft and 50 737-900ERs.

Irish lessor Avolon has signed a memorandum of understanding for 15 Airbus A320neos, in an order valued at $1.4 billion.

DHL opened a $175 million hub at Shanghai Pudong (PVG) Thursday and said it would invest another $132 million over the next two years to enable it to dedicate eight additional freighter aircraft to PVG for flights to north Asia, Europe and the US.

Russian carrier signed a firm contract for 20 Airbus A321s Thursday, the largest order for the type in the region and the first time that UTair has ordered Airbus aircraft.