Airlines & Lessors

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.

US lessor Air Lease Corp. (ALC) will raise $700 million through a public offering, which may be used for commercial aircraft purchases.

Aer Lingus has unveiled a major brand identity update, as it seeks to maintain its position in what it describes as the leading value carrier on transatlantic routes.

Scandinavian budget operator Norwegian will close several crew bases in Spain, Italy and the US this year in a bid to improve profitability.

United Airlines reported fourth-quarter net income of $462 million and pre-tax earnings of $556 million, declines of 20.2% and 10.3%, respectively, but executives were bullish on the overall results as based on its goal to reduce unit costs and grow more rapidly than its peers while offsetting higher fuel costs.

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

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

OEMs and airlines tap into software systems that enhance operations.

Irish LCC Ryanair is discontinuing its Ryanair Holidays business, which packaged flight and hotels, just two years after the service was launched.

Airline executives acknowledge that the partial US government shutdown is affecting their businesses, but they are downplaying both immediate and long-term ramifications, seemingly betting on a near-term resolution to the stalemate that began Dec. 22, 2018.

Icelandic LCC WOW Air has disclosed that US private equity firm Indigo Partners is looking at an initial 49% investment, although this could be increased at a later date.

Airlines and airports are warning of looming capacity freezes across Europe, after UK prime minister Theresa May's terms with the European Union (EU) for exiting the trade bloc was overwhelmingly rejected by the UK parliament.

People-Jan. 15, 2019

Delta Air Lines on Jan. 15 reported fourth-quarter 2018 revenue of $10.7 billion, up 5% year-over-year, but warned of revenue slowing because of the partial federal government shutdown that started in late December 2018.

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways reported a decrease in load factor for both passenger and cargo for December 2018, although the carrier said demand was healthy.

Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) military jets intercepted an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 777F over Sumatra, Indonesia, forcing it to land at Batam’s Hang Nadim International Airport on Jan. 15.

A new strategy document outlines rapid growth projections and ambitious goals for India’s civil aviation industry over the next 20 years, as well as challenges and recommended steps.