Air Transport World

Singapore-based regional low-cost carrier Scoot will use its first Boeing 787 aircraft—a 787-9 due for delivery in November this year—on routes that include Japan, Taiwan and Australia, Scoot CEO Campbell Wilson told ATW.
Airports & Networks

By Linda Blachly
Cargolux has ordered an additional 747-8 freighter.
Aircraft & Propulsion

Virgin Atlantic is pulling out of Australia in May when it drops its Hong Kong-Sydney service.
Airports & Networks

Istanbul’s $30 billion project to build a third airport could be delayed by at least 10 months, following an administrative court order suspending construction pending the completion of an expert report on the environmental impact analysis.
Airports & Networks

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has granted Sinopec, China’s top oil refiner, a license allowing commercial use of its aviation biofuel in an effort to cut carbon emissions.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

By Mark Nensel
Utah-based SkyWest Inc., parent of regional carriers SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines, reported a net profit of $59 million for 2013, up 15.2% from the $51.2 net profit posted by the company in 2012.
Airlines & Lessors

By Mark Nensel
Copa Holdings, parent company of Panama-based Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia, reports 2013 net income of $428.2 million, up 31.2% over 2012’s net profit of $326.5 million.
Airlines & Lessors

By Alan Dron
Norwegian Air International (NAI), the long-haul division of Norwegian Air Shuttle, has gained an air operator’s certificate (AOC) from the Irish regulatory authorities.
Airlines & Lessors

A joint declaration signed Wednesday by the European Union (EU) and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has given EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas the green light to secure a mandate for negotiating a comprehensive air transport agreement between the two regions.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

By Polina Montag-Girmes
The reconstruction of Yermolino Airport—which is estimated to cost RUB11.3 billion ($325 million)—will begin before year end, according to Salavat Kutushev, CEO of Yermolino’s management company.
Airports & Networks

By Alan Dron
Atlantic Airways, the national airline of the Faroe Islands, will re-acquire the 33% of its shares that were sold to the public in 2006. As the Faroese government owns the rest of the shares, the move will effectively mean the renationalization of the small carrier.
Airlines & Lessors

By Linda Blachly
Republic Airways Holdings has reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract with pilots. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) represents more than 2,200 pilots for sister companies Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America.
Airlines & Lessors

Peru’s domestic passenger traffic grew 17% to 8.4 million passengers in 2013, according to data released by Canatur, the National Chamber of Tourism.
Airlines & Lessors

Airline News
Airlines & Lessors

By Karen Walker
Embraer got a significant boost to its new E-Jet E2 program Thursday when India’s Air Costa announced an agreement for 50 firm aircraft plus 50 purchase rights.
Aircraft & Propulsion

Norwegian Air Shuttle has inked an accord with International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) to lease four Boeing 787-9s.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Karen Walker
Aerolíneas Argentinas signed a purchase agreement Thursday for four Airbus A330-200s. The carrier ordered GE Aviation CF6-80E1 engines to power the aircraft.

Jeremy Torr
Software goliath Microsoft is eying the commercial aviation software business as a “really important market,” according to Matt Muta, the global managing director of the company’s Hospitality & Travel unit.
Interiors & Connectivity

Jeremy Torr
Hard on the heels of its announcement to buy up to eight ATR 72-600s, Thailand-based Bangkok Airways said its potential IPO cash haul will not be used for expansion, but for consolidation and asset purchase.
Airlines & Lessors

By Alan Dron
Annual profits at Norwegian Air Shuttle dipped last year, falling to NOK318.7 million ($52.3 million) compared to NOK456.6 in 2012.
Airlines & Lessors

By Alan Dron
Iberia said Thursday it had reached agreement in principle with its pilots’ union, SEPLA, to introduce permanent structural change and improve the airline’s viability.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

Lufthansa has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320 with vortex generators, which will reduce the noise produced by aircraft during its final approach by up to two decibels.
Aircraft & Propulsion

MRO News

Ranked by % of flight arrivals ontime at all responded airports. Source: US DOT Aviation Consumer Protection Division Air Travel Consumer Report
Airlines & Lessors

By Victoria Moores
Middle East lessor Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has ordered 20 ATR 72-600s and taken options on another 20, marking its first step into regional aircraft leasing.
Aircraft & Propulsion