IATA blasts draft ban on cargo-only operations at Mexico’s busiest airport
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has blasted a government plan to ban cargo-only flights from Mexico City’s primary airport.
Airbus to retrofit and upgrade nine A350 jets for Delta
Delta Air Lines has hired Airbus Services to retrofit and upgrade nine Airbus A350 aircraft that previously flew for LATAM Airlines Group.
Colombia’s Aerocivil to again review proposed Avianca-Viva tie up
Colombia’s civil aviation authority has annulled its earlier rejection of a proposed merger between Avianca and financially strapped discounter Viva Air, saying it will restart a review without forcing the companies to re-apply.
Mexican start up Aerus intends to acquire 30 Eviation Alice electric aircraft
Mexican start-up airline Aerus has become the latest carrier to express interest in acquiring Eviation’s in-development all-electric commuter aircraft Alice.
Embraer reveals E195-E2 order for unidentified customer
Brazilian airframer Embraer has disclosed that it has secured an order for 15 E195-E2s, attributed to an undisclosed customer.
Start-up Electra Aero secures USAF funding for eSTOL development
US start-up Electra Aero has secured $30 million in funding through a US Air Force (USAF) programme to further develop an all-electric short take-off and landing (eSTOL) aircraft.
Southwest end-year meltdown costs $800 million, leads to Q4 loss
Southwest Airlines lost $220 million during the fourth quarter of 2022 after it was battered by a system-wide meltdown during the busiest travel days of the end-of-year holiday season.
Gulfstream targets 20% bump in 2023 aircraft deliveries
Business jet maker Gulfstream aims to hike its aircraft deliveries by a fifth in 2023 after missing its delivery target last year amid regulatory and supply chain issues.
Alaska posts $58m full-year profit on record revenues
Alaska Air Group posted record full-year operating revenues of $9.65 billion in 2022 and a net profit of $58 million for the year.
Pilot shortages holding back American’s expansion
Pilot availability is still limiting the size of American Airlines’ operation, through the carrier says it has ramped pilot training to accommodate its planned 2023 fleet expansion.
Lockheed’s first Greenville-built F-16 makes debut flight
Lockheed Martin has performed a debut flight with the first F-16 fighter built at its Greenville site in South Carolina: a two-seat, Block 70 example built for Bahrain.
Israeli firm to supply 777-8 freighter’s main cargo door
Israeli firm Elbit Systems is to supply the large main-deck cargo door for the Boeing 777-8 freighter, under an aerostructures agreement with the US airframer.
Crucial Airbus-Qatar meeting rescheduled after being scuppered by attendance rules
Airbus and Qatar Airways have rescheduled a crucial meeting with European and Qatari civil aviation regulators, after a plans for an earlier gathering, intended for 11 January, fell apart following a disagreement over conditions for attendance.
Baykar lands $370 million TB2 sale in Kuwait
Turkish unmanned air vehicle (UAV) producer Baykar has secured a $370 million contract to supply its Bayraktar TB2 platform to Kuwait.
Air Serbia follows return to profit with Qatar Airways codeshare
Air Serbia will next month begin codesharing with Gulf carrier Qatar Airways, building on an existing interline agreement.
Airbus continues recruitment ramp-up to feed new technological activities
Airbus is embarking on a recruitment drive to hire another 13,000 personnel this year, matching its effort last year.
Wizz Air summer expansion based on ‘safe’ network growth: Varadi
While Wizz Air plans to increase its capacity 30% this summer, the airline’s chief executive Jozsef Varadi believe this represents a safe way of growing, given expansion is weighted on adding frequencies and has a focus on maturing markets.
Wizz sees strong summer ahead as currency gains boost third quarter
European budget carrier Wizz Air is confident of returning to profit and pre-Covid utilisation in the next financial year after more than doubling its revenues in its latest financial quarter.
Italian industry cements its role in GCAP fighter effort
Italy’s leading defence companies have signed a contract to advance the nation’s role in the UK-led Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which seeks to deliver a new manned Tempest fighter and complementary systems for operational use from 2035.
Jet2 believes full-year financial results will beat expectations
UK leisure carrier Jet2 is forecasting it will exceed full-year financial expectations, with a profit of £370-385 million ($458-476 million) after winter bookings strengthened.
Singapore to assist in Yeti Airlines ATR 72 crash probe
Singapore will be assisting Nepalese investigators in the probe into the crash of a Yeti Airlines ATR 72, by helping to retrieve and readout data from the flight recorders of the turboprop.
Cebu Pacific eyes profitable Q1
Cebu Pacific is hoping to rebound to profitability in the quarter to 31 March, though it remains wary of potential challenges including fuel costs.
JAL invests in sea-glider start-up Regent Craft
Japan Airlines Innovation Fund, the venture arm of the Japanese carrier, has invested in start-up sea glider developer Regent Craft.
AirAsia Aviation units still below half pre-Covid traffic, despite ‘strong recovery path’ in 2022
AirAsia Aviation units were operating at less than half of pre-pandemic capacity – with total passenger volume also far from 2019 levels – despite seeing an “exceptional increase” in demand as international travel resumed in 2022.
India domestic traffic rises 47% in 2022
Indian airlines saw a significant increase in domestic traffic in 2022 as pandemic restrictions eased, with Tata Sons-owned Vistara and Air India clawing back market share.
Kenya Airways turnaround plan aims to end state support by end of 2023
Kenya’s government is aiming to end the requirement for further state financial support for Kenya Airways by the end of the year under a turnaround plan being implemented.
Ethiopian to launch Atlanta flights
Ethiopian Airlines plans to launch its first service to Atlanta this summer, with four flights weekly to the US city from mid-May.
USA transfers third Lockheed C-130 to Niger
The donation is the third of the Lockheed Martin cargo transports Washington has provided the Niger air force as part of counter terrorism efforts in West Africa.
Kenya Airways sees aircraft availability improving amid spare parts pressures
Kenya Airways is reporting some progress in its aircraft availability after recently flagging the risk of service disruptions resulting from supply chain-related maintenance delays.
Government sale concerns put Mango rescue deal at risk
Administrators at grounded South African budget carrier Mango Airlines have warned that a deal to secure new investors may have to be abandoned after concerns raised by the national government.