AirlinesAer Lingus eyes accelerated growthDespite strong competition from Ryanair, Aer Lingus has hardly been a failing airline. It has registered decent profits using a niche strategy. But following last year’s takeover by International Airlines Group (IAG) and with new-technology aircraft soon available, the Irish airline sees much greater growth potential, particularly on transatlantic routes.
LinkAlaska Air Group boosted traffic, capacity in Jan.Alaska Air Group posted a 10.4% rise in traffic for January on a year-over-year basis. During the month, Alaska boosted capacity by 12.4% compared to the same month last year.
LinkSource of Daallo A321 explosion remains unclearClarity has yet to emerge over the origin of the damage sustained by a Daallo Airlines Airbus A321 after it departed Mogadishu on 2 February. The aircraft suffered substantial structural damage to the starboard side of its fuselage while operating flight D3159 to Djibouti.
LinkEthiopian Airlines confirms comeback of New York flightsEthiopian Airlines plans to launch 3X-weekly Addis Ababa-Lomé (Togo)-New York JFK services by the end of June. The Star Alliance member suspended flights to New York-Newark in 2004 to provide nonstop service from Washington Dulles to Addis Ababa.
LinkBrazil green-lights FedEx merger with TNT ExpressBrazilian regulators have granted approval for FedEx Corp. to acquire TNT Express. The merger, previously cleared by the EU and US, now awaits approval from China. "Once the acquisition is closed, we look forward to the opportunities it will bring to our employees, customers and shareholders in Latin America and across the globe," said David Bronczek, president and CEO of FedEx Express.
LinkKorean Air swings to profit in 4Q 2015Korean Air reported a 4Q 2015 net profit of 92 billion won ($76 million), reversed from a net loss of 272 billion won in the year-ago period, although the improved result was heavily skewed by gains related to exchange rate movements.
LinkStrike Grounds Most Pakistan Air FlightsMost Pakistan International Airlines flights were grounded on Wednesday as striking employees disrupted operations to protest against a government plan to sell the flag carrier. The strike is the latest in a months-long series of protests against the plan to sell off part of PIA, among companies the government has pledged to privatise under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal.
LinkSIA's first A350 completes maiden flightSingapore Airlines' (SIA) first Airbus A350-900XWB has completed its maiden flight in South West France. The aircraft will now enter the final phase of production, which includes additional ground checks and test flights. The jet will be prepared for delivery "in the coming weeks", says Airbus.
LinkFlights Hit By Brazilian Airline Crew StrikeBrazilian airline pilots and cabin crew halted work for two hours on Wednesday in a pay dispute, delaying flights across the country days before the start of the carnival holiday season. Television images showed dozens of pilots and flight attendants holding picket signs in the lobbies of major airports in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
LinkUnited to fly largest aircraft to Washington NationalUnited Airlines will begin flying a Boeing 757-300 to Ronald Reagan Washington National airport in March, adding capacity at the slot-restricted airport. The Chicago-based Star Alliance carrier will operate the 213-seat aircraft daily from Washington National to its Denver hub on 3 March and to its San Francisco hub on 23 March, a spokesman confirms.
Link 
