Airlines & Lessors

Boeing reported third-quarter net income of $1.03 billion, down 6% from a $1.1 billion net profit in the year-ago quarter.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has agreed to order 20 Airbus A350-900s and five A380s valued at $7.5 billion at list prices.

West Africa’s newest carrier, Gambia Bird (3G), launched scheduled services across West Africa and into Europe Oct. 22, one week later than planned.

Slovenia-based Adria Airways (JP)—which posted a first-quarter net loss of €8 million ($9.8 million) and received a €50 million capital boost in September 2011—said it would need an additional €9 million to survive the winter, according to the Austrian Daily Wirtschaftsblatt, which quoted JP CEO Klemen Bostjancic.

Lufthansa (LH) is increasing services in Latin America as the carrier looks to expand its market share in the region.

Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling (VY) CEO Alex Cruz has vowed that Barcelona El Prat (BCN) will overtake Frankfurt Airport (FRA) as Europe’s leading airport for short-haul flights in 2014.

United Parcel Service (UPS) posted third-quarter net income of $469 million, down 56.3% from a $1.07 billion net profit in the 2011 September quarter.

Chinese conglomerate HNA Group—parent of Hainan Airlines (HU), China Xinhua Airlines, Chang'an Airlines and Shanxi Airlines—has acquired a 48% stake in French airline Aigle Azur Transports Aeriens (ZI).

The Aviation Corp. of China (AVIC) and GE Aviation have formally launched a Shanghai-based integrated avionics joint venture (JV) “to develop and market the new generation of avionics systems with an immediate priority on supporting development of China’s first home-grown big passenger jet” the C919.

Kigali-based RwandAir (WB) has taken delivery of the first of two Bombardier CRJ900s it had on order that includes two options.

Air France (AF) claims it is “far too early” to discuss whether Air Berlin (AB) might switch alliances from oneworld to SkyTeam, following comments made by AF CEO Alexandre de Juniac.

Southwest Airlines (SWA) said it will convert AirTran-branded flights to SWA flights at four cities from April 14, 2013.

GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and Brazil’s GOL have signed a sale and leaseback agreement for four new Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Greek carrier Aegean Airlines (A3) has struck a deal to acquire Olympic Air (OA) from Marfin Investment Group for €72 million ($94 million), creating a €1 billion company.

Swiss charter airline Hello has announced insolvency and stopped flights from Zurich and Basel Sunday, the carrier said on its website.

Tenerife, Spain-based Islas Airways (IF) has suspended operations, although the airline claims the move is only temporary.

Boeing has confirmed that Turkish Airlines (TK) announced a commitment to order 15 777-300ERs, plus five options.

The Portuguese government has selected Brazilian conglomerate Synergy Aerospace as the sole bidder in the privatization of ailing flag carrier TAP Portugal.

Etihad (EY) has signed a codeshare agreement with Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia (GA), effective Oct. 28.

Air France (AF) is playing down the expected impact of a staff walkout, which is planned for Oct. 26, in protest against the airline’s restructuring program.

The International Air Cargo Assn. (TIACA) said it has agreed to “enhanced cooperation” with ICAO, particularly in the area of security.

United Parcel Service (UPS) and TNT Express said Friday they have received a statement of objections (SO) from the European Commission (EC) related to the “competitive effects” of the companies’ pending merger.

China’s Qingdao municipal government is in negotiations with Air China (CA) and its subsidiary Shandong Airlines to launch Qingdao Airlines, according to Qingdao municipal transport committee deputy director Zhao Haibin.

FastJet, the African low-cost carrier backed by easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou, has signed operating lease agreements with Volito Aviation for two Airbus A319s, to be delivered in time for its November launch date.

A US federal judge in New York has reserved judgment on whether United Continental Holdings (UCH) bears responsibility for damages caused by the hijacked American Airlines 767 that crashed into the World Trade Center’s north tower on 9/11.