Airlines & Lessors

Russia’s Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. (SCAC) has appointed Kamil Gainutdinov as president for three years, effective Sept. 7.

China Eastern Airlines reported a 2016 first-half net profit of CNY3.23 billion ($486 billion), down 9.3% compared to net income of CNY3.56 billion in the same period last year.

Airberlin group has promoted Dimitri Courtelis to the position of CFO, succeeding Arnd Schwierholz who has resigned to pursue challenges outside the aviation industry.

Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings, the parent company of regional carriers Republic Airlines and Shuttle America, announced Sept. 2 an agreement had been reached with Dallas/Fort Worth-based American Airlines “[securing] a long-term relationship between the two airlines.”

Delta Air Lines lost about $100 million in revenue because of the August system crash that led to 2,300 canceled flights over three days.

A computer problem in a new British Airways (BA) check-in system caused delays on the airline’s network Sept. 6.

Vietnamese low-cost carrier (LCC) Jetstar Pacific has firmed up a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for 10 A320ceos, which it will use for network expansion.

Vietnamese low-cost carrier (LCC) Vietjet has placed a firm order for 10 Airbus A321ceos and 10 A321neos, and finalized an agreement to establish a new training center.

Vietnam Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for 10 more Airbus A350-900s, which it plans to use on nonstop flights to the US.

Lufthansa became the first European airline to participate in the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre-Check program Aug. 31.

Irish low-cost carrier (LCC) Ryanair has downgraded its UK growth plan to just 6% in 2017-18, down from 15% in 2016-17, because of uncertainty triggered by the UK’s vote to leave the European Union (Brexit).

Malaysia-based AirAsia aims to set up a Chinese subsidiary with a local partner, Kathleen Tan, newly appointed president for North Asia, said—just six weeks after the group said it was not pursing airline joint ventures.

Russia’s UTair Airline reported 1H 2016 net loss of RUB684.9 million ($10.7 million), narrowed from the carrier’s RUB1.77 billion loss in 1H 2015.

Oneworld has named Emirates Airline executive Rob Gurney to replace Bruce Ashby as CEO of the global airline alliance.

Air China reported a 2016 first-half net profit of CNY3.46 billion ($520 million), down 12.4% compared to net income of CNY3.95 billion in the year-ago period, according to the carrier’s statement released by Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Singapore-based lessor BOC Aviation has ordered five new Airbus A321ceos and has immediately leased them to an unnamed Asian airline.

Miami-headquartered lessor Aerolease Aviation has finalized an order for 10 Mitsubishi MRJs and 10 options, firming a letter of intent signed at the 2016 Singapore Airshow.

Joe Sutter, who was dubbed “Father of the 747” by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, has died at age 95.

People-Aug. 30, 2016

Russia’s international traffic fell 26.6% in July to 3.6 million passengers, according to Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia.

Romanian flag carrier Tarom said it recorded a first-half net loss of RON28.6 million ($7 million), “while the budget of revenue and expenditure provided, for the same period, a loss of RON3.4 million.”

Malaysian long-haul, low-cost carrier AirAsia X Berhad (AAX) reported a RM1.02 million ($252,241) net profit for the 2016 second quarter, the first 2Q net profit since the airline’s 2007 inception, the company said.

China Southern Airlines reported a first-half net profit of CNY3.11 billion ($468 million), down 10.7% compared to net income of CNY3.48 billion in the year-ago period, according to a carrier statement released by Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Air New Zealand has continued its run of strong financial results with a record net profit of NZ$463 million ($328 million) for the fiscal year through June 30, up 42% from the previous year.

Malaysia-based AirAsia achieved a net profit of MYR341.9 million ($84.5 million) for the second quarter, up 41% from net profit of MYR243 million in the previous year.