Air Transport World

The European Commission (EC) on Wednesday blocked Ryanair’s third Aer Lingus takeover attempt.

FAA administrator Michael Huerta said Boeing’s proposed 787 battery fix is being “carefully analyzed” but gave no guidance on how long it will take to review the proposal.

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Paraguay media are reporting the government will soon announce the creation of a new state-owned carrier, according to president Federico Franco.

Air France-KLM chairman and CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta has warned that the company needs to change its structure to preserve its status as a major world airline.

Kenya Airways and Etihad Airways have signed a codeshare agreement for flights between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi beginning April 1. Kenya Airways will launch a 3X-weekly Nairobi-Abu Dhabi service in June, on which Etihad will then place its code as well as on 27 destinations across the Kenya Airways domestic network. Kenya Airways will place its code on Etihad Airways’ existing daily Nairobi-Abu Dhabi service and on 32 destinations on Etihad’s global network.

Aeroflot and Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) have reached an interim agreement in the dispute over the carrier’s deal with Moscow Sheremetyevo airport.

Air France-KLM’s cargo division is facing a “drastic and substantial re-organization” after posting a €222 million ($291 million) full-year operating loss, compared to a €60 million loss in 2011.

News from Travel Technology Update: The chairman of the Business Travel Coalition widened his opposition to the American-US Airways merger to include a broad attack on IATA’s New Distribution Capability.

Alitalia reported a 2012 net loss of €280 million ($370 million), worsened from a loss of €69 million in 2011.

Executives from American Airlines and US Airways told Congress that the carriers’ planned merger will benefit both consumers and employees, and will leave the US with a highly competitive airline industry.

Airbus has completed the wing assembly of the first A350 XWB flight-test aircraft at the Roger Béteille Final Assembly Line in Toulouse.

The European Parliament’s Environment Committee voted to back the European Commission’s decision to suspend the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) for flights into and out of Europe for one year.

Hainan Airlines parent HNA Group is planning to launch Urumqi Airlines, in conjunction with the Urumqi municipal government.

January 2013 Customer Name Model Engine Delivery Date Boeing Deliveries Norwegian 737-800 CF 9-Jan Pegasus Airlines 737-800 CF 9-Jan TUI Travel PLC 737-800 CF 9-Jan

US Airways president Scott Kirby and American Airlines chief restructuring officer Beverly Goulet will jointly direct transition planning for the US Airways-American merger.

Chinese carriers have accelerated the pace of their international expansion plans to offset the impact of the fast-growing high-speed rail.

Lufthansa Technik Switzerland will close its two line maintenance and logistics services businesses April 30. It has been unable to sustain its operations due to a fall in demand and associated decline in its customer base. AFI KLM E&M signed an engine support contract with Nordwind Airlines covering its CF6-80C2 engines powering six Boeing 767-300ERs. The contract covers engine repair and overhaul services and availability and lease support.

Aircraft leasing company Aircastle reported fourth quarter 2012 net income of $29.8 million, down 16.3% year-over-year.

Ecuador’s new $700 million Quito International Airport opened Feb. 20, replacing the city’s 52-year-old Quito Mariscal Sucre airport.

TNT Express has appointed supervisory board member Tex Gunning as its new CEO, effective June 1.

Air France-KLM Group chairman and CEO Jean-Cyril Spinetta said Delta Air Line’s 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic will help strengthen SkyTeam’s transatlantic joint venture (JV).