Airlines & Lessors

Features from the March 2016 edition of Air Transport World

Following a strong financial report for 2015, Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet is planning to push ahead with plans for an initial public offering (IPO) in the first half of 2016.

Ireland-based low-cost carrier Ryanair has always forged its own path under the leadership of Michael O’Leary.

All four US major carriers and at least three independents filed applications with the US government Wednesday seeking approval to provide nonstop services to Cuba.

Malaysia’s transport minister said there is a “high possibility” that aircraft debris found off the coast of Mozambique is from a Boeing 777, though he urged caution in linking the debris to Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has explicitly banned the use of electronic cigarettes on all airline flights.

Franco-Italian turboprop manufacturer ATR has appointed Giovanni Tramparulo as its new CFO.

Russia’s S7 Group co-owner Vladislav Filev will launch a new airline from Cyprus.

Air Serbia has posted what it describes as “strong operational results” for 2015, increasing passenger and freight carriage.

Bahrain-based Gulf Air has announced further increases in its services to Saudi Arabia—the latest of several Gulf carriers to beef up their flights to the Kingdom.

Airport freight traffic in metric tonnes for 2015, organized by world regions. Year-over-year percentage changes provided by Airports Council International.

Airport passenger traffic for 2015, organized by world region. Year-over-year percentage changes provided by Airports Council International.

The rate of change in scheduled passenger airline full-time equivalent employment by airline group, displayed as year-over-year percentage growth or losses. Differential changes for each of the last 13 months are shown.

Russia’s Aeroflot Group reported a net loss of RUB6.49 billion ($89 million) for 2015, narrowed 62% from a RUB17.1 billion net loss in 2014.

Investigators are endeavoring to determine whether a piece of what appears to be aircraft debris washed up on a sandbank off the coast of Mozambique could be from Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350 XWB in Toulouse, France, becoming the fifth operator of the all-new widebody airliner.

The latest airport passenger traffic and aircraft movements for 112 airports worldwide - current through March 1, 2016 - presented in monthly and year-to-date figures.

Aircraft News-March 1, 2016

Kazakhstan’s national carrier Air Astana president and CEO Peter Foster welcomes the government and shareholders’ decision to plan for an initial public offering (IPO) in 2018, saying it “will be in the long-term interest of the airline and Kazakhstan,” Foster told ATW.

Indonesia-based regional carrier Sriwijaya Air has taken delivery of a Boeing 737-800 from lessor AWAS as part of its ongoing expansion plans.

Turkish Airlines reported a 2015 net profit of $1.69 billion, up from $845 million for the previous year and surpassing a billion dollar level for the first time in its history.

Malaysia-based low-cost carrier (LCC) AirAsia reported a 4Q 2015 net profit of MYR554.2 million ($131 million), reversed from a net loss of MYR428.5 million in the year-ago period.

India-based low-cost carrier IndiGo has trimmed its delivery schedule for 26 new Airbus A320neos by March 2017 by two aircraft, and will now take 24 over the next 13 months.

The Chinese government has appointed former Transport of China vice minister Wang Changshun as China Southern Airlines’ new chairman.

Air China has ordered 12 Airbus A330-300 aircraft, valued at $2.93 billion at list prices, according to a carrier statement.