Business: Good week - Bad Week

Good Week

© Titch Gallery on flightglobal/AirSpace

AIRBUS Swiss charter operator Belair will phase out its Boeing aircraft over the winter as it moves to an all-Airbus fleet. Belair's single 767-300ER, leased from International Lease Finance, came to the end of its service with the carrier last weekend, while the two 757-200s (pictured), also ILFC-provided, will go over the winter and be replaced by a fifth and sixth Airbus A320. The move stems in part from a recession-induced drop in long-haul holiday demand.

 

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Bad Week

© Airbus

CZECH AIRLINES The Czech government has scrubbed privatisation by rejecting the only bid for its flag carrier. The Unimex-Travel Service consortium had offered just over €1 billion ($1.5 billion) for 91.75%, but the finance ministry says a number of conditions were "unacceptable" for the government, including a demand that there be no negative equity in the company. Prague says restructuring will continue, however, to cope with the poor economic climate.