Air Transport World

American Airlines parent AMR Corp. has filed its plan of reorganization to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Southern Air Holdings, parent of Southern Air, has emerged from US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and has completed its mandatory financial restructuring.

Shanghai-based Spring Airlines has applied to open a new route to Seoul as it shifts focus from Japan to Korea and Southeast Asia.

European states could save up to €200 million ($262 million) a year by implementing a number of ATM support services at pan-European points rather than at the national level, according to Eurocontrol.

Air France’s new regional operation, HOP! has been well received by customers and staff, but it is too early to tell if it will translate into profits.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker told ATW the carrier is on track to join the oneworld alliance Oct. 1.

IATA DG Tony Tyler has rolled out a series of changes, following harsh criticism of the association under its former leadership at the IATA 2011 annual general meeting.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is in talks with Serbian flag-carrier JAT Airways to expand its codeshare agreement signed Monday.

North Africa-based Air Algerie launched a tender last week to purchase 14 passenger aircraft, as well as two 13- to 20-tonne cargo jets.

[CORRECTED HEADLINE] Aircell has completed its acquisition of the Airfone business unit of LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways Corp.

Airline News

Aircraft Type Ordered By Total A320

FAA issued an airworthiness directive (AD) Monday regarding a possible problem with Boeing 737NG horizontal stabilizer parts.

Israel’s FIMI fund has agreed to invest up to $75 million in El Al Airlines in return for a 47% stake in the airline.

Virgin Australia Holdings has completed its acquisition of Perth-based regional Skywest Airlines.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a proposed airworthiness directive (AD) Monday signaling approval of modifications for Airbus A380 wing rib feet aimed at solving the aircraft’s wing cracking issue.

The US National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team of investigators to assist the government of Indonesia in the investigation of Saturday’s Lion Air 737-800 crash.

Regional airlines fear new passenger rights proposals by the European Union could bankrupt carriers if proposed consumer legislation becomes law.

Airbus parent EADS has confirmed it is in talks to acquire 1.56% of its shares, which are held by the French government.

Icelandair has bought two Boeing 757-200s, which it previously had on long-term lease, for an undisclosed sum.

The federal government of Brazil has increased its budget for civil aviation projects 139% this year, up 59% over 2012.

People

Briefs from April 15, 2013 issue of ATW's Skypaths