Airlines & Lessors

Russia’s MetroJet will take delivery of three Airbus A321s before the summer season 2014.

United Continental Holdings has named Greg Hart as EVP and COO, succeeding Pete McDonald, who is retiring after nearly 45 years with United.

October global passenger traffic has “expanded at a strong rate,” according to IATA in its Air Passenger Market Analysis.

Airline News

Footnotes: 1. Feb. 1, 2013 - April 30, 2013. 2. 1st Quarter 2014 Fiscal Year. 3. 2013 Half-year results. 4. Year Ending June 30, 2013 † 1st Quarter April - June 2013. * 1st Quarter 2013-2014 Fiscal Year. Source: ATW research.

Qantas has warned it expects to make an underlying loss before tax of between A$250 million ($226 million) and A$300 million for the half year ending Dec. 31.

All airlines in Nepal have joined the European Union’s (EU) aviation safety blacklist, which bans them from flying to or within Europe.

Hainan Airlines parent HNA Group has received approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to launch Urumqi Airlines in an effort to enhance its position in West China.

The global air cargo market is showing a “small improvement,” according to IATA’s global air freight report for October, with growth reported in all world regions, save Africa.

Airberlin expects to take delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 in 2018.

Russia’s Orenair and Nordwind Airlines cannot take delivery of leased aircraft because local aviation authorities have indicated they want the aircraft to be registered in Russia rather than Bermuda.

Kazakhstan-based Air Astana has taken delivery of the last of six new Airbus A320 family aircraft, with the latest aircraft the third to be equipped with sharklet wingtips and in a 16 business-/132 economy-class configuration.

Boeing has selected UK-based leisure carrier TUI Travel as a partner for the next part of its ecoDemonstrator program, which aims to accelerate creation and production of sustainable technologies for aircraft.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Iraqi Airways has firmed a purchase agreement for five Bombardier CS300s plus 11 options.

A special commission of Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia, has recommended authorities withdraw Tatarstan Airlines’ air operator’s certificate (AOC) following the deadly crash of a Tatarstan Boeing 737-500 at Kazan airport Nov. 17.

Air France-KLM is expanding services in Africa as it expects the airline industry to grow in the region.

Oslo-based low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle has signed a seven-year partnership with London Gatwick, which will enable the airline to grow at the airport.

Irish low-cost carrier (LCC) Ryanair will open a new base at Brussels Zaventem in February 2014 as the airline incorporates more major airports into its network.

Emirates Airline launched the longest Airbus A380 commercial nonstop flight Dec. 2 on a daily Dubai-Los Angeles service.

Belgian leisure carrier Jetairfly has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787.

Russia’s Ural Airlines will take delivery of five A320s family in the first quarter of 2014.

Oman Air and Turkish Airlines have signed a codeshare agreement covering services between Muscat and Istanbul Ataturk.

Indigo Partners completed the acquisition of Frontier Airlines from Republic Airways Holdings Tuesday. Final terms of the transaction, which was first announced Oct. 1, are not being disclosed.

Lithuanian start-up carrier Air Lituanica and Estonian Air have severed their cooperation following bitter allegations of unpaid debts from both sides.