AirlinesDelta buys 20% stake in LATAM to expand Latin American presence Delta Air Lines has agreed to buy a 20% stake in LATAM Airlines to massively expand its presence on routes between North and Latin America. The move, announced by the two companies late on Sept. 26, is transformative for air transport between the two regions and is a big additional step in Delta’s strategy to buy minority stakes in airlines in key markets worldwide.
LinkCourt rejects Aigle Azur rescue bids; airline to be liquidated French airline Aigle Azur will be liquidated as of midnight Sept. 27 after a French commercial court rejected the remaining rescue offers under consideration for the already-grounded airline.
Aigle Azur, which operated a fleet of 11 Airbus aircraft, went into receivership Sept. 2 following a surreal few weeks in the long history of the company, which saw former CEO Frantz Yvelin attempt to play down concerns over the airline’s financial position and finally stave off an attempted shareholder coup before resigning.
LinkAir France-KLM: No interest in XL Airways rescue Air France-KLM will not step in to rescue long-haul LCC XL Airways, which faces liquidation as the deadline approaches for bids for the insolvent airline. Air France-KLM is “not entirely convinced” about the long-haul LCC model, group CEO Ben Smith said, according to French media reports that were confirmed by an Air France spokesman. XL Airways CEO Laurent Magnin had previously called on Smith to rescue the French airline by making it part of Air France.
LinkIcelandair renews labor agreement with pilots Icelandair has renewed a collective bargaining agreement with the Icelandic Airline Pilots Association (FIA) through September 2020.
The agreement is identical to the current agreement with the exception that salary increases that were to become effective Oct. 1, 2019, will go into effect April 1, 2020.
LinkThree Russia airlines vie for Moscow-London route Three Russian carriers—Aeroflot LCC Pobeda Airlines, Ural Airlines and Nordwind Airlines—have applied to operate between Moscow and London.
The applications for the route designation, published in a Russian Federal Air Transport Agency draft document, could be discussed and voted on at a Ministry of Transport intergovernmental commission meeting Sept. 30.
LinkIndia’s SpiceJet continues network, fleet expansion Indian LCC SpiceJet will continue a year of rapid growth by adding 46 more domestic one-way flights, and is also reportedly considering another major aircraft order.
The new flights will be introduced progressively from Oct. 27, using either Boeing 737s or Bombardier Q400s. The new services align with SpiceJet’s strategy of “connecting the unconnected parts of the country,” chairman Ajay Singh said.
LinkEtihad to delay A350-1000 deliveries Etihad Airways will delay delivery of five Airbus A350-1000s until an unspecified future date, a move adhering to the Abu-Dhabi-based company’s business transformation plan. In February 2019, Etihad said it was in talks to slash its orderbook with both Airbus and Boeing, planning to cull 40 A350-900s and two -1000s and intending to drop most of its order for 25 Boeing 777Xs.
LinkCroatia Airlines to get state aid; Adria extends flight suspension State-owned Croatia Airlines will receive a government cash injection, while another southeast European carrier, Adria Airways, is scrambling to find investors and resume full operations.
Croatia’s Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure approved HRK250 million ($37 million) in financial aid for the national flag carrier—HRK100 million this year and the remainder in 2020.
LinkAdria plans to relaunch some routes on 30 September Troubled Slovenian carrier Adria Airways is to restore some of its network on 30 September.
It has been operating a minimal service over the last few days, preserving only its Frankfurt link, after running into financial problems.
LinkPICTURES: Air France takes first A350-900 Air France has today taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900, one of 28 the SkyTeam carrier has on order.
The French carrier is taking all 28 of its parent group's on-order A350s after agreeing a recent swap under which it will take seven originally slated for sister carrier KLM.
LinkLATAM to leave Oneworld alliance Latin America group carrier LATAM Airlines Group plans to leave the Oneworld alliance.
In a statement, the alliance says it received an advisory from LATAM of its decision to partner with a non-member airline and to leave Oneworld "in due course and in accordance with formal contractual requirements."
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