Airlines & Lessors

American Airlines (AA) said it will install the same locking device to the seats on 49 of its Boeing 767s as was installed on 48 757s after recent incidents in which economy seats became loose during flights.

Milan airport operator SEA has won shareholder approval to list the company on the Italian stock market.

Kazakhstan-based Air Astana (KC) plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) in 2013 to raise funds.

Low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle (DY) has created a long-haul subsidiary—Norwegian Long Haul—to accommodate the 2013 arrival of its first Boeing 787-8.

AirAsia (AK) has dropped plans to acquire Indonesian carrier Batavia Air (Y6) after they failed to reach an agreement, according to local news reports.

A Hyderabad, India, court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Kingfisher Airlines (IT) chairman and founder Vijay Mallya and five other IT executives for allegedly bouncing checks to the city’s airport operator.

Canada’s WestJet (WS) has named its new regional airline WestJet Encore.

South African Airways (SAA) said it is “very much business as usual” following the resignation of most of its board of directors.

The AviancaTaca group of airlines will unify all members under the single Avianca brand name starting in the first half of 2013.

Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair (FR) said it is proposing “radical remedies” to allay competition concerns in its bid to take over Aer Lingus (EI).

Armenian Armavia Airlines (U8), which is owned by local businessman Mikhail Baghdasarov, has been put up for sale.

German automotive manufacturer Daimler is proceeding with its proposed sale of a large portion of EADS shares to the German government, following Wednesday’s collapse of merger talks between EADS and BAE Systems.

American Airlines (AA) said it is continuing to experience operational disruptions and will reduce its flight schedule through the first half of November by 1%.

Lufthansa (LH) has confirmed plans to switch all its non-hub short-haul services to low-cost subsidiary Germanwings (4U), and said it will release further scheduling and branding details in December.

Luxembourg charter carrier Strategic Airlines (SH) has suspended operations after entering into administration.

Alaska Airlines (AS) has placed a firm order for 20 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, 17 737 MAX 9s and 13 737-900ERs.

Russia’s Aeroflot Airlines (SU) signed an agreement with Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) to release airport terminals D, E and F for the carrier, its sister companies and SkyTeam partners.

Air Seychelles (HM), which is 40% owned by Etihad Airways (EY), has undergone a major restructuring and aims to end the year in the black.

Volga-Dnepr Technics (VDT), a sister company of Russia’s Volga-Dnepr Group, has launched an aircraft line maintenance station at Frankfurt airport (FRA).

EasyJet (U2) CEO Carolyn McCall has lashed out at high airport charges and highlighted ground services as a hot spot for passenger complaints.

FedEx said it is seeking $1.7 billion in annual profitability improvement by 2016 and indicated that cuts and changes to its air-intensive FedEx Express unit will be central to achieving the earnings increase.

Ryanair (FR) has withdrawn its bid to take a stake in London Stansted airport (STN) after airport owner Ferrovial told the carrier it will block its bid.

Airbus parent company EADS and UK defense company BAE Systems have ended discussions on a potential merger after failing to overcome political hurdles.

The Indian Ministry of Finance has approved an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee for Air India’s (AI) non-convertible debenture bonds for about $1.5 billion.

Bahraini national carrier Gulf Air (GF) is set to expand its existing codeshare partnership with Cyprus Airways (CY).