The European Commission has cleared the increase from 51% to 74% of Scandinavian Airlines' (SAS) stake in Spanair, Spain's second largest airline. The EC notes that the only direct route operated by both airlines is Madrid-Copenhagen, where each carrier offers one daily codeshare. There are "other credible competitors on this route" and so there is not "any risk of creation of a dominant position", it concludes. Spanair is earmarked to join SAS in the Star Alliance.
Source: Flight International
As AirAsia X moves closer to completing its acquisition of sister company AirAsia, it has detailed a long-term network strategy that it hopes will rival the super-hubs of the Middle East.
AirAsia is eyeing a new airline unit in Vietnam – its clearest indication about its expansion plans in the region – as part of a wider “multi-hub” strategy in Southeast Asia.
Low-cost operators AirAsia Group and AirAsia X saw an increase in revenue in what they note has traditionally been a low season, with travel demand remaining strong amid network and fleet growth.
