Airlines & Lessors

Taiwan’s China Airlines (CAL) Group plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) for its low-cost subsidiary Tigerair Taiwan.

Indian carrier IndiGo has appointed former United Airlines president Ronojoy Dutta as its new CEO.

Executives from Southwest Airlines announced the carrier’s planned expansion into Hawaii will likely be delayed for months, a result of the ongoing US partial government shutdown, which has furloughed the FAA workers needed to certify the new routes.

In results accounting for the impact of US tax reforms, a fleet transition and a labor agreement, JetBlue Airways reported an adjusted 2018 net income of $487 million, down compared to $574 million in 2017.

American Airlines is confident that big-picture initiatives it has put in place—including a focus on leveraging its Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) hub, more tailwinds from cabin segmentation and cost reductions—have the carrier poised to rebound from what CEO Doug Parker acknowledges was a “challenging [2018] financially.”

Slovenian carrier Adria Airways said Jan. 22 that the Slovenian CAA has dropped an investigation into whether it is able to fulfil the terms of its operating license.

International Airlines Group (IAG) has ruled out making a further offer for LCC Norwegian and announced plans to sell its existing stake.

UK regional operator Flybe is seeking to reassure the market about the future of its proposed takeover by a Virgin-led consortium, amid reports that one of its biggest shareholders has threatened to take legal action to stop the transaction from going ahead.

With a transition to 787s, Air Tahiti Nui is transforming itself in the exclusive French Polynesian market.

With Virgin America in the fold, Alaska Airlines says the merger’s benefits are set to take off.

Etihad Airways has started legal proceedings against airberlin’s administrator to fight the bankrupt German carrier’s attempt to retrieve €2 billion ($2.27 billion) in damages from its former shareholder.

Indian LCC IndiGo reported a significant drop in profit for the December quarter, as the carrier continues its rapid fleet and capacity growth.

ManaAir LLC, a new company with United Airlines as a minority stakeholder, has completed its acquisition of United regional partner ExpressJet Airlines.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is engaged in talks with Philippine Airlines (PAL) for a strategic investment in PAL, although a deal is yet to be finalized.

Germany has halted flights by Iranian airline Mahan Air into its airports.

UK LCC easyJet—which took a £15 million ($19.4 million) hit as a result of December’s drone-related flight disruptions at its London Gatwick base—is not changing its pre-tax profit guidance for the year ended Sept. 30.

Independent Berlin-based carrier Germania says it has found a solution to cover its short-term liquidity requirements.

Irish lessor SMBC Aviation Capital has switched 15 Airbus A320neos from an existing order to the larger A321neo, as well as announcing a firm follow-on order for 50 A320neos and 15 A321neos with a list-price value of $7.4 billion.

S7 Airlines carried 15.96 million passengers in 2018, up 12% year-over-year (YOY).

Air France-KLM Group CEO Ben Smith has appointed another former Air Canada executive to a senior position at the Franco-Dutch group.

The track record of long-haul LCCs demonstrates how difficult it is to make money.

Dublin-based lessor AerCap has delivered the first of four Boeing 787-9s on long-term lease to El Al Israel Airlines. It will deliver the remaining three aircraft later this year.

Ireland-based LCC Ryanair has blamed lower-than-expected winter fares for its second profit warning in three months and said there may be a further drop in income if unexpected events occurred.

India’s Jet Airways appears to be closer to gaining the bailout funding it needs to ensure survival, although some important details still need to be resolved in talks between the major lenders and investors.

Chinese turboprop operator Joy Air will move into mainline operations, thanks to help from its new majority owner, the Xi’an city government.