Airlines & Lessors

Lufthansa’s bid for Alitalia has emerged as the frontrunner as its fate still remains unclear after nearly a year since the Italian flag carrier filed for bankruptcy.

US ultra-LCC Allegiant Air is pushing back hard against new allegations that it runs an unsafe airline, pointing to changes aimed at improving its operations as evidence.

Emirates Airline is “expecting more pressure” from the new breed of low-cost, long-haul carriers, the Dubai-based airline’s president Tim Clark said.

Air Canada and Calgary-based LCC WestJet face the biggest threats from each other rather than planned ultra LCC operators eyeing shares of a market dominated by the two carriers, Fitch Ratings said.

Lithuania-based lessor AviaAM Leasing has delivered its first aircraft to a North American client—Canadian LCC Air Transat—the company said April 13.

Irish lessor Avolon closed out the first quarter of 2018 with an owned and managed fleet comprising 570 aircraft, with commitments for a further 333 aircraft, bringing its total fleet to 903, up 6.2% from 1Q 2017.

Nepal Airlines Corp. (NAC) is preparing for the arrival of the first of two Airbus A330s in June, as the Nepal flag carrier aims to increase its international business, according to media reports.

Latvia’s national carrier airBaltic reported a 2017 net income of €4.6 million ($5.5 million), a nearly fourfold increase from €1.2 million in 2016.

A surge in cargo, loyalty program and premium fare up-sell revenue drove Delta Air Lines’ first-quarter 2018 operating revenue into quarterly record territory, with nearly $10 billion in GAAP revenue, up 9.5% year-over-year (YOY).

Emirates Airline’s profits for its recently closed financial year will be “considerably better” than those for the previous 12 months, airline president Tim Clark said April 11.

Singapore-based lessor BOC Aviation delivered six aircraft to five customers and signed 14 lease commitments over the first quarter of 2018, the company said April 11.

United Airlines president Scott Kirby conceded the “ruckus” on Wall Street over the airline’s aggressive growth plan has not subsided, but said individual investors believe the Chicago-based carrier’s strategy is sound and reiterated it plans to stay the course.

International Airlines Group (IAG) acquired a 4.61% stake in LCC Norwegian, a move that could see it take full control later. IAG said in a statement it considered Norwegian to be an “attractive investment.”

The Lufthansa Group has selected Alexis von Hoensbroech for CEO of subsidiary Austrian Airlines as of Aug. 1, succeeding Kay Kratky, who will step down after three years in July when his contract ends.

Austrian startup LaudaMotion and German leisure carrier Condor will end their cooperation agreement by the end of April, both carriers confirmed April 9.

UK LCC easyJet has revised its expression of interest in Italian flag carrier Alitalia, acting together with unnamed consortium partners.

Doha-based Qatar Airways has taken a minority stake in California-based jet charter company JetSuite.

Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft deliveries for 2018 year-to-date, sorted by most-recent delivery date.

2018 average list prices for Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft; with passenger seating capacity, cargo tonnage capacity and aircraft flight range.

Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft gross orders for 2018 year-to-date, sorted by most-recent date of order placement with manufacturer.

China’s Spring Airlines has estimated its 2017 net profit will increase 33% to CNY1.3 billion ($193 million) as a result of the LCC’s network optimization and revenue management, according to a preliminary earnings estimate released by the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Oman Air has appointed one of its former executives to the post of CCO.

Global passenger traffic increased 7.6% in February, resuming the upward momentum of 2017 after a January slowdown affected by the later timing of the Lunar New Year.

Santiago-based LATAM Airlines Group management has reportedly offered a last-minute concession to the cabin crew union of its subsidiary LAN Express, in an effort to stave off a strike action called by the union for Tuesday April 10.

American Airlines plans to equip 320 Airbus A321s to display nearby air traffic on the flight deck via automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast In (ADS-B In).