AirlinesAirAsia founders' MYR1bn cash injection inches forwardMalaysia's central bank, Bank Negara Malaysia, has approved the offshore loans that AirAsia's founders Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun will use to inject over MYR1 billion ($247 million) of new equity into the airline. As a result of the approval, the agreement to purchase 559 million new AirAsia shares at a price of MYR1.84 per share became unconditional on 30 Novemeber. This now gives the two directors 60 days to pay for the shares, which will be issued eight days after payment.
LinkAir Canada plays its part to increase tourismAir Canada and Destination Canada have entered into a three-year marketing agreement with the goal of boosting tourism to Canada. "Canada as a brand has more appeal than ever around the world and as Canada's flag carrier we are eager to play our part and support our industry partners by carrying visitors to and within Canada, taking them to amazing destinations throughout our country," said Air Canada's Benjamin Smith.
LinkAmerican Airlines Asks for FAA ExtensionThe National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is trying to make Boeing 737s safer for passengers in the event of a crash. American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) and Japan Airlines are concerned about the short time frame to complete the modifications.
LinkAtlas Air to fly transpacific routes for Nippon Cargo AirlinesPurchase, New York-based air cargo operator Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings has contracted with Japan’s Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) to operate a Boeing 747-400 freighter for the Narita International Airport-based cargo carrier, the two companies announced Dec. 1. Atlas Air said the agreement is initially for one aircraft to be flown on transpacific routes connecting Asia and the US; service is scheduled to begin in January 2017. Additional aircraft may be added to the agreement in the future, Atlas Air said.
LinkBelavia Belarusian Airlines to retire Tu-154 aircraft by year-endBelavia Belarusian Airlines will retire its Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft on Dec. 28. The Minsk-based carrier’s fleet includes three of the type—one Tu-154 is already out of service and two operate charter flights between cities in Belarus and Western Siberia in Russia for oil and gas industry.
LinkNewly launched Cyprus Airways takes first A319A newly launched Cyprus Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A319 aircraft Dec. 1. The carrier, which expects to get an air operator’s certificate (AOC) before the end of 2016, is finalizing its route network and preparing to launch ticket sales. The airline’s fleet will comprise A319 aircraft, which will fly to European and Middle East countries. The brand Cyprus Airways is used by Charlie Airlines, which won the right to work under the Cyprus name in July 2016. The 10-year brand deal was signed by the Cyprus government and Charlie Airlines.
LinkDelta Pilots Ratify Labor ContractPilots at Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) ratified a new labor contract on Dec. 1. According to the Air Line Pilots Association, 95 percent of eligible pilots voted and 82 percent of those pilots voted in favor of the deal.
LinkDanish charter carrier Jet Time downsizesDenmark-based charter airline Jet Time has discontinued its cargo and ACMI business units for SAS Scandinavian Airlines in an effort to save the carrier. As a result, 278 positions will be cut, reducing staff by 35% over the next nine months. According to a Nov. 29 statement, Jet Time will phase out the two business units in 2017.
LinkCrashed Avro operated without mandatory fuel reserves: DGACColombia’s Civil Aviation Authority has officially confirmed that the Bolivian BAe Avro RJ85 operated by Lamia crashed near Medellin with empty fuel tanks. During a press conference held on 30 November, Aerocivil’s Secretary of Aviation Safety Freddy Bonilla assures that "the aircraft did not operate with the mandatory fuel reserves mandated by international regulations”.
LinkLufthansa counts the cost of labour painsWhile Lufthansa is hopeful of operating nearly all its scheduled flights on 1 December as the latest walkout by pilots draws to an end, the strain on its services and labour relations continues to take a toll amid its long-running efforts to secure cost-efficiencies. A two-day strike by pilots represented by the Vereinigung Cockpit union, which compounded the disruption of a four-day stoppage the previous week, is due to end tonight.
LinkEC takes Norwegian US rights dispute to arbitrationEurope has formally pushed to arbitration its concerns over the US failure to approve Norwegian Air International’s (NAI) application for a foreign air carrier permit. Norwegian filed its application for route authority to the US Department of Transportation in 2013. But the it proved contentious, prompted opposition from labour groups and airlines in North America over their concerns around its labour arrangements.
LinkSAS Scandinavian Airlines executes leaseback on more aircraftSAS Scandinavian Airlines has secured financing of five Airbus A320neos through a sale and leaseback agreement with Jackson Square Aviation. The aircraft will be delivered between the end of this year and 2018. As the aircraft are delivered to the tri-national Scandinavian carrier, they will be sold to Jackson Square and then leased back on a long-term lease.
LinkTurkish Airlines to sublease eight Airbus A330-200s to cut costsTurkish Airlines has taken eight Airbus A330-200s out of service as part of a sublease plan to cut costs following a net loss of $463 million in the first nine months of 2016, reversed from a net profit of $877 in the year-ago period. The losses were a result of weakening demand across its network and economic instability because of geopolitical events in Turkey and the region.
LinkUnited exec comments on fleet renewal plansUnited Continental Holdings is reviewing its plans to use the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to replace its fleet of Boeing 747s. The company could go to a smaller model and is considering the Boeing 737.
Link 
