Airlines & Lessors

Source: Airports Council International

Luxembourg has moved a step closer to selling its 35% Cargolux stake to China’s Henan Civil Aviation and Investment Co. (HNCA), after the all-cargo carrier’s board approved a commercial tie-up with its would-be owner.

Preliminary investigations into the LAM Mozambique Embraer E-190 crash on Nov. 29 have not revealed any evidence of mechanical failure.

Australian regional carrier Brindabella Airlines has gone into receivership following the grounding of a number of its aircraft on safety grounds by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has announced plans to open additional new routes in 2014.

Indian LCC SpiceJet and Singapore’s largest budget airline Tigerair have signed a three-year interline agreement for more connectivity between flights operated by both carriers.

Russia’s AirBridgeCargo has received fifth freedom rights to operate 3X-weekly flights out of Shanghai to the US, beginning in the next summer season.

AerCap Holdings announced Monday it has entered into a definitive agreement with American International Group (AIG) to acquire International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC), a wholly owned subsidiary of AIG.

Singapore-based regional aircraft lessor Avation has firmed up purchase options for five ATR 72-600s, valued at $120 million at current list prices.

Star Alliance executives—which agreed Friday to extend Avianca’s membership to include Avianca Brazil—also reaffirmed the alliance model as an important component in today’s competitive environment.

Garuda Indonesia will join SkyTeam as its 20th member on March 5, 2014, the alliance announced.

Thai carrier Nok Air and Singapore’s Scoot have inked a memorandum of understanding to create a new mid- to long-haul low-cost carrier, called NokScoot, based in Bangkok.

Taiwan’s China Airlines and Singapore-based budget carrier Tigerair will launch a low-cost carrier (LCC) joint venture (JV)—Tigerair Taiwan—which is expected to begin operations at the end of 2014.

Asiana Airlines’ first Airbus A380 has completed its maiden flight.

Finnair has signed a memorandum of understanding with GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) on the sale and leaseback of two Airbus 330s and two 350s, valued at €320 million ($440 million).

Russian and Cyprus aviation authorities have agreed to designate second carriers—in addition to Aeroflot—on several routes between the countries.

Air Calédonie (Aircalin), New Caledonia’s international airline, has inked an agreement with International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) for used Airbus A320-200s.

Slovak-based Danube Wings has suspended all operations until further notice.

Alaska Airlines has reached an agreement with the Association of Flight Attendants on a tentative labor agreement on a new five-year contract for the carrier’s 3,300 flight attendants.

1. January-June 2013. 2. January-May 2013. * Includes Regional operations. Source: ATW Research, direct airline reports.

Air India, which is set to recommence talks with Star Alliance for membership, hopes to join the alliance within a few months.

Over the next week, UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) plans to issue guidance to airlines detailing how to apply for gate-to-gate use of personal electronic devices (PEDs).

French Caribbean carrier Air Caraibes has firmed plans to take six Airbus A350s, comprising three directly from Airbus and three from International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC), for its long-haul fleet renewal.

Rapidly expanding Etihad Airways has announced new services to the US and Australia.

Air France plans to increase its presence in Japan by adding flights to Tokyo Haneda from March 30, 2014.