El Al, Israel’s national carrier, has announced the purchase of a Boeing 777 fuselage to bolster its spare engine availability. The acquisition, valued at $7.3 million, was made from a foreign company as part of the airline’s ongoing efforts to ensure operational reliability and efficiency.
Dan Air, a Romanian carrier, has entered into a wet lease agreement with Tarom, Romania’s national airline, to support operations on the Bucharest-Madrid route. The agreement will see Dan Air providing an Airbus A320, complete with crew, maintenance, and insurance, for flights scheduled between November 22, 2024, and January 13, 2025.
China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited (CALC), a prominent lessor based in Hong Kong, has entered into sale and purchase agreements with WWTAI Airopco 1 Bermuda for the divestment of six aircraft. The transaction, facilitated through six of CALC’s Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), is expected to be finalized by March 2025.
Avation, a Singapore-based lessor, has announced the successful delivery and concurrent sale of a new ATR72-600 aircraft. This delivery marks the first of two ATR72-600s sold to an airline operating in the Caribbean region.
Air New Zealand has revealed that it does not expect significant improvements in aircraft availability until 2026, citing ongoing challenges with its fleet of Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A320neo aircraft. These availability issues have impacted the carrier’s operational capacity and ability to meet growing passenger demand.
Vietnam Airlines is seeking to bolster its financial standing through a proposed share issuance plan aimed at raising capital from existing shareholders. Lawmakers in Vietnam are currently evaluating options to facilitate this initiative, which could significantly strengthen the national carrier’s fiscal resilience and operational capabilities.
Airlink, South Africa’s leading regional airline, has announced the introduction of nonstop flights between Cape Town and Gaborone. This new route, scheduled to commence on April 1, 2025, will enhance connectivity between the two cities, catering to both business and leisure travelers.
Finnair (Finland) faces significant operational disruption following the announcement of a pilot strike by the airline’s pilots’ union. The strikes, scheduled for 09 and 13 December 2024, have led to the cancellation of approximately 300 flights, affecting thousands of passengers during the busy travel period.
Asiana Airlines (South Korea) faced legal opposition from its pilots’ union regarding the proposed sale of Asiana Cargo, a key business unit of the airline. The pilots’ union filed an injunction to halt the sale, citing concerns over operational stability and workforce implications. However, the South Korean courts have rejected the injunction, allowing the sale process to proceed.
SR Technics (Switzerland) has announced its selection by Air India as the preferred partner for long-term maintenance support of the airline’s CFM56-5B/-7B engine fleet. This partnership highlights SR Technics’ expertise in engine maintenance and its commitment to delivering reliable solutions to global airlines.
