Airlines & Lessors

GE Capital Aviation Services Limited (GECAS) announced a purchase-and-leaseback transaction of four new Boeing 737-800 aircraft with Malaysian Airlines System (MAS).

Singapore Airlines parent SIA Group reported a net profit of SGD50 million ($39 million) for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2013, down 65% from SGD142.5 million during the same period the previous year.

Korean Air has posted a net loss for 2013 of KRW385 billion ($362.1 million), a year-over-year drop of KRW641 billion from 2012.

Airberlin plans to continue reducing several crew bases in Germany as part of its Turbine restructuring program.

Switzerland-based regional SkyWork Airlines will postpone plans to transfer flight operations to German partner MHS Aviation’s air operator’s certificate (AOC) from Feb.1 until Oct. 31.

With an overall 1.4% increase in market demand year-over-year, global air cargo exhibited a measured but steady improvement in 2013, according to IATA’s year-end air freight market analysis.

German-based leisure carrier Condor Airlines will operate Boeing 767-300ER long-haul services from Cologne to Varadero beginning Nov. 4.

LAM Mozambique has ordered three Boeing 737-700s, and taken purchase rights on a further three, in a deal valued at $228 million at list prices.

Lufthansa has called on European regulators for a fair environment to avoid unfair competition, following Etihad Airways’ plans to invest in Alitalia.

The European Commission (EC) has launched in-depth investigations into the financial rescue deals for Cyprus Airways and Estonian Air, to verify whether cash infusions breach European Union (EU) state aid rules.

American Airlines and US Airways, which closed their mega-merger in December and began the first phase of codesharing in January, have expanded codesharing to include nearly 6,500 daily flights to more than 275 destinations for travel starting on Feb. 6.

Middle East carrier Oman Air CEO Wayne Pearce will leave Feb. 28, after two years in the post.

A Joy Air Xian MA60 crashed while landing at China’s Zhengzhou-Xinzheng Airport Feb. 4, significantly damaging the aircraft.

Russia’s UTair has decided to split its aircraft and helicopter businesses.

The latest airport passenger traffic and aircraft movements for 245 airports worldwide - current through December 2014 - presented by monthly and year-to-date figures.

Avianca said it has “taken the preventive decision to temporarily ground” its fleet of four Fokker 50 turboprops.

LOT Polish Airlines is preparing for a fresh barrage of criticism after the European Commission released details of its restructuring plan as part of a state aid probe.

Middle East lessor Palma Holding has firmed up an order for four Bombardier Q400s and four options, finalizing a letter of intent that was inked at the Dubai Air Show in November.

UK regional Flybe reported third-quarter trading in line with overall management expectations, and has revised downward the number of job losses it will need to make.

Calgary-based WestJet is reporting net profits of C$268.7 million ($251.2 million) for 2013, up 10.9% from 2012.

Russia’s charter carriers became the fastest growing airlines in the country in 2013.

Singapore Airlines regional affiliate SilkAir has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737-800, marking the start of the carrier’s transition to an all-Boeing fleet.

The Lufthansa Group will benefit from a new agreement between Russian and German authorities, which last week approved Russia’s AirBridgeCargo to operate fifth freedom flights 3X-weekly from Frankfurt to the US.

Airline News

Air India—which took delivery of its 12th Boeing 787 Sunday and is on schedule to induct two more of the type by March—has decided to form a committee to evaluate its Dreamliner performance before making a final call on future deliveries.