Safety, Ops & Regulation

The European Commission (EC) has launched an investigation into Estonian Air’s government funding support.

A J Walter Aviation signed an agreement with Russia’s Engineering-The Aviation Maintenance Holding to establish an exclusive consignment stock pool of Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 parts at Engineering’s facility at Moscow Domodedovo Airport. Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services (AMES) won a contract from DHL to provide heavy maintenance services for at least 28 C checks over three years on DHL-owned and leased Boeing 767-200Fs, operated by ABX Air.

Qantas Group posted a first-half net profit of A$111 million ($114.6 million), more than double the A$42 million in the year-ago period.

The 10 US passenger airlines to have reported 2012 results earned a collective net profit of $152 million for the year, according to Airlines for America (A4A).

AirAsia said its new Indian budget carrier—a joint venture between AirAsia Berhad and Tata Group—will launch by the fourth quarter, pending regulatory clearances.

EasyJet chairman Michael Rake was re-elected at the airline’s annual general meeting, with 55.6% of 330.4 million total votes in favor.

Bombardier reported $598 million net income for its 2012 fiscal year ended Dec. 31, down 28.6% from the $837 million reported a year ago.

FAA, along with other US government agencies, faces the imposition of mandatory budget cuts on March 1 that could lead to disruptions in air transport services.

ICAO Council president Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez has called for “a fundamental shift in perspective” if a more efficient and globally harmonized air navigation system is to be achieved

Air Greenland has named Michael Højgaard as its new CEO from Aug. 1.

IATA reported that international premium traffic for December was up 4.5% year-over-year, up slightly from 4.4% in November.

Boeing’s engineers and technical workers returned a split decision after voting on a new four-year contract.

Lufthansa Group has announced more changes and cuts as its cost-savings program SCORE goes into the second year.

AirAsia Berhad has tied up with Indian business conglomerate Tata Group to launch a new airline in India.

Lufthansa Group has announced plans to purchase 108 new Airbus and Boeing aircraft, valued at €9 billion ($12 billion) based on list prices.

Europe’s budget carriers are preparing a legal challenge against the European Commission’s decision to partly suspend the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS).

Hamburg Airport’s security workers will strike Wednesday, Feb. 20, in a third day of strikes called by trade union Verdi over pay.

Greenland Express, a new carrier based in Greenland, plans to start operations this year using one wet-leased Airbus A319 or A320.

Chinese carriers reported a net loss of CNY1 billion ($158.9 million) in January, reversed from a net profit of CNY1.7 billion in the year-ago period.

Spirit Airlines earned net income of $108.5 million in 2012, up 42.1% over a net profit of $76.4 million in 2011.

The European Parliament has backed plans to increase the price of carbon permits.

Virgin Atlantic is assessing its alliance options, with SkyTeam emerging as the likely fit given the UK carrier’s new relationship with Delta Air Lines.

Global Eagle Acquisition Corp. stockholders approved its previously announced acquisition of two inflight content providers.