NewsAirbus formally takes control of CSeries programAirbus and Bombardier have confirmed the closing of the CSeries transaction, giving the European airframer a majority stake in the program. Airbus now owns 50.01% in CSeries Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP), Bombardier 34%, and Investissement Quebec 16%, say the two parties.
LinkFastjet raises funds to ease financial crisis African LCC fastjet has raised $10 million from investors, staving off imminent financial collapse after the airline warned last week that it might not survive without a further round of equity fundraising. Fastjet said it was in talks with shareholders, but if unsuccessful the company might not survive as a going concern. At one point in June, cash reserves had shrunk to $3.3 million, of which $1.75 million was restricted in Zimbabwe.
LinkATR applies to US for new Iran license European turboprop manufacturer ATR is applying to US authorities for a new license that will allow it to deliver the remaining aircraft from its order from Iran Air.
LinkChina Southern to offer Los Angeles-Shenyang service China Southern Airlines will open a route between Los Angeles, California, and the northeastern Chinese city Shenyang this year, the local government said.
LinkJin Air vows to cooperate with South Korean government on improvements Korean LCC Jin Air has signaled it will cooperate with the South Korean government’s move to hold hearings on its future, and has committed to improvements in various management and operational areas.
LinkIAG’s Level launches Paris-Montreal services International Airlines Group (IAG)’s low-cost, long-haul airline Level began its first service from Paris to Montreal July 2, using an Airbus A330-200. The Paris Orly-Montreal flight will operate 3X-weekly, while Level is launching a Paris Orly-Guadeloupe service set to operate 4X-weekly on July 3.
LinkEmirates and flydubai edge closer togetherDubai-based LCC flydubai has deepened its partnership agreement with local full-service carrier Emirates Airline by adopting the Emirates Skywards product as its loyalty program. The LCC said this “strategic move builds on the success of the initial phase of the extensive partnership.”
LinkPAL steps up domestic service with Q400 turbopropsPhilippines flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is introducing four new domestic routes within the archipelago, operating from Clark International Airport. PAL began daily flights July 1 from Clark to Siargao with the Bombardier Q400 turboprop. The tourist island in the Philippine Sea is growing in popularity and PAL has since added more services from Cebu and Davao.
LinkNew contracts allow work to begin on second Sydney airportThe development of a second airport in Sydney has reached a major milestone with the awarding of contracts for the preliminary earthworks and for project management. A contract for initial earthwork to level the site was awarded to a joint venture between Contractors and Lendlease. The work involves moving 1.8 million cubic meters of soil, as well as constructing access roads and drainage. The contract was awarded by the Western
LinkNordica posts 2017 profit as passenger numbers rise 68% Estonian national carrier Nordica passed a milestone in 2017 as it moved into profit in just its second year of existence. A boom in passenger numbers saw the airline edge into the black with a profit of €900,000 ($1 million) after having previously forecast a loss of €6 million for the year. The airline did not specify whether the profit figure was before or after tax.
LinkSpanish LCC Volotea carries 40% more passengers in 2017Barcelona-based LCC Volotea reported a net profit of €11.2 million ($13 million) for 2017 on revenue of €307 million, up 23% year-over-year (YOY). The company did not provide a net profit figure for the previous year. Ancillary revenue reached €105.1 million, or 34.1% of revenue.
LinkCebu Pacific to convert ATR 72-500s into freightersPhilippine LCC Cebu Pacific has signed a deal with Switzerland-based IPR Conversions to convert two ATR 72-500s into freighters. The turboprops will be taken from Cebu Pacific domestic subsidiary Cebgo, which flies eight ATR 72-500s and 10 ATR 72-600s. The airline told ATW there would be no changes in scheduling because it is taking in more new ATR 72-600s.
LinkDelta aims to complete 777 premium retrofits by 2019Delta Air Lines debuts the first Boeing 777-200 with its new premium products today, as it begins to install the onboard products on its existing widebody fleet. The Atlanta-based carrier is configuring the 777-200 with 296 seats, including 28 lie-flat business class suites, 48 premium economy and 220 economy.
LinkVirgin Australia takes second helping in Hong KongVirgin Australia's entry onto the prime Sydney-Hong Kong route is likely to be a success thanks to capacity constraints, growing demand and a little help from its friends. With the launch of its daily Airbus A330-200 services from 2 July, the carrier will join Cathay Pacific and Qantas on
LinkOman Air deploys new three-class 787-9 on London routeOman Air has put into revenue service its latest Boeing 787-9 – the first configured with a three-class interior. For its commercial debut, the widebody was flown from Muscat to Heathrow" >London Heathrow on 1 July.
LinkSukhoi outlines sales expectations as it tweaks SuperjetSukhoi's civil aircraft division is forecasting sales of 345 Superjet 100s, including the business-jet version, over the period to 2030. Most of these aircraft will be sold in Russia and the former Soviet states, the airframer expects, as well as south-east Asia and Latin America.
LinkATR predicts 80% growth in turboprop fleet over 20-year periodATR foresees 20-year demand for just over 3,000 new turboprops, mainly from operators in emerging economies. In its newly issued 2018-2037 market forecast, the European manufacturer predicts that the number of in-service 30-90-seat turboprops will grow to 4,060, from 2,260 today.
LinkST Engineering Aerospace exits helicopter JVST Engineering Aerospace has sold its 25% stake in a joint venture with Airbus Helicopters. The MRO firm says it will sell the 25% stake in Airbus Helicopters South East Asia (AHSA) to its partner, Airbus Helicopters SAS, for €9.1 million ($14 million) cash.
LinkHypoxia scare causes EA-18G to make emergency landingA US Navy student electronic warfare officer felt potential symptoms of hypoxia during a training flight on a Boeing EA-18G on 27 June, causing the aircraft to divert to the nearest airport in Washington state and land, a USN spokesman confirms to Flightglobal. The landing at 6pm highlights the level of sensitivity surrounding the US military aviation community’s concerns about a burst of reports about hypoxia symptoms among flight crew members.
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