Airlines & Lessors

Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic are moving to create a new transatlantic joint venture (JV) triad that includes Air France-KLM acquiring a 31% stake in Virgin and Delta taking a 10% stake in Air France-KLM.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., parent of low-cost carrier (LCC) Allegiant Air, posted a $48.5 million net profit for the 2017 second quarter, down 20.3% from the company’s $60.8 million net profit in 2Q 2016.

Etihad Airways recorded a net loss of $1.87 billion for 2016, reversed from a net profit of $103 million in 2015. Etihad said exceptional charges were major factors behind the huge deficit and its core airline operation had turned in a “solid performance.”

Alaska Air Group—parent of Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and Horizon Air—earned $296 million in net income in the second quarter, up 13.8% over a net profit of $260 million in the 2016 June quarter, which does not include Virgin America’s 2016 second-quarter figures.

UK regional airline Flybe has posted improvements to its first-quarter load factor and yield, but new CEO Christine Ourmieres-Widener said further work is still needed.

New German airline SundAir has taken delivery of the first of two leased Airbus A320s and is preparing to start operations, pending final approval by German aviation authorities, which is expected soon.

Hawaiian Holdings, parent of Hawaiian Airlines, posted $80.4 million net income for the 2017 second quarter, up 1.1% from $79.6 million net profit in 2Q 2017.

Fiji Airways has signed an agreement confirming that it will help the government of Samoa relaunch its national airline.

Boeing's 20-year forecast (2017-2036) for commercial airline operational personnel hiring: pilots, maintenance technicians and cabin crew.

Singapore Airlines has dropped its short-haul low-cost carrier (LCC) brand Tigerair, merging the airline into mid- to long-haul LCC Scoot.

New York-based JetBlue Airways reported second-quarter net income of $211 million, up 16.7% over a net profit of $181 million in the 2016 June quarter and a solid turnaround from a 58.8% year-over-year (YOY) net income decline in the 2017 first quarter.

Russian airlines carried 46.2 million passengers in 1H 2017, up 21.5% year-over-year (YOY).

Azul Brazilian Airlines has named longtime CFO John Rodgerson as its new CEO, replacing Azul founder David Neeleman, who will remain with the São Paulo-based airline as chairman of its board of directors.

Ireland-based lessor SMBC Aviation Capital is continuing to focus on the most technologically advanced fleet and is evaluating further orders of next generation widebody aircraft.

Ireland-based low-cost carrier (LCC) Ryanair reported a 55% jump in net profit for the first quarter of its 2018 financial year, with the post-tax figure rising to €397 million ($453 million), compared to €256 million a year ago.

Darwin Airline’s newly appointed CEO Heinrich Ollendiek said its new owners will be a much better “fit” with the Swiss regional carrier than its previous equity partner, Etihad Airways.

Russia’s S7 Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo, on lease from BOC Aviation.

Germany-based airberlin has confirmed to ATW it will lease two Airbus A330-900neos, but has not disclosed the lessor.

Taiwan’s Mandarin Airlines, which announced July 19 it was buying six ATR 72-600s, has signed a conditional letter of intent to lease three more of the Franco-Italian turboprops.

The deadline for proposals for the future of troubled Italian carrier Alitalia has passed and the airline’s administrators are regrouping to confirm the next steps.

None of the three largest U.S. carriers has ordered the Boeing 777X, and it's unclear when any of the 82 U.S. A350s on order will be delivered.

Mandate taking effect in June 2018 will push airlines to upgrade baggage handling systems. Expectations rise as passengers pay fees.

Unions want their members to share in airlines' success, while Congress questions use of fees for checked bags, seat selection and more.

Latin American airlines are expected to post a collective $800 million net profit in 2017, up 33.3% from $600 million in net income in 2016.

Uncertainty hangs over Europe as the headwinds of Brexit, terrorism, declining yields and ongoing labor battles pummel the industry.