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Cebu Pacific Set to Favor Airbus in Deal for as Many as 150 Jets

Airbus SE is closing in on a large single-aisle jet order from Cebu Pacific Air, with the carrier planning to sign up for as many as 150 A320neo aircraft that would more than double the Asian airline’s fleet size.A deal would include about 50 optional purchases, according to people familiar with the negotiations. Philippines-based Cebu and Airbus may announce the accord at the Farnborough Air Show later next month, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions ar...
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Branson Plans One-Stop Travel Shop as Virgin Atlantic Turns 40

As Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. celebrates its 40th anniversary, founder Richard Branson plans to more closely integrate the airline with his cruise ships and hotel businesses to offer travelers a one-stop shop. Branson said he would look to make the brands work more seamlessly, with people traveling on Virgin Voyages cruises getting airline loyalty points, while adding more hotels in the destinations the carrier flies to.

As Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. celebrates its 40th anniversary, founde...
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Airfares Set to Moderate, at Least in Economy Class, CEOs Say

After more than a year of eye-watering airfares post-Covid, there’s some good news for fliers this summer, at least for those traveling in economy — prices aren’t expected to go any higher and in fact may moderate.That was the assessment of many airline chief executives gathered in Dubai this week for IATA’s annual meeting. Several singled out the UK as one place where demand is looking particularly weak.

After more than a year of eye-watering airfares post-Covid, there’s some good news for fli...
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British Airways to Hire 350 Staff to Avoid Heathrow Summer Chaos

British Airways will increase staffing at its hub in London’s Heathrow Airport by 5% to minimize the risk of any disruption in the peak summer season. The carrier, owned by IAG SA, expects this summer to be its busiest since the pandemic and will hire about 350 new workers to fill customer service and ground handling roles, a spokesperson for the airline said. The airline is also upgrading some of its computers and other technology at the hub.

British Airways will increase staffing at its hub...
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IAG CEO Luis Gallego Cuts Short Airline Meet to Race to Brussels

IAG SA Chief Executive Officer Luis Gallego cut short a trip to Dubai for the annual gathering of airline chiefs to race back to Brussels and discuss the group’s bid to acquire Air Europa. Gallego left the IATA event, which runs through Tuesday, on Sunday in a last-minute move that saw him cancel commitments for the remaining days of the meeting.

IAG SA Chief Executive Officer Luis Gallego cut short a trip to Dubai for the annual gathering of airline chiefs to race back to Brussels and discuss...
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United Air Shifts to Smaller Boeing Planes Amid Production Woes

United Airlines Holdings Inc. is taking delivery of six Boeing Co. 737 Max 9 jets per month as it revamps its fleet plans to account for the manufacturer’s much-delayed larger model, the carrier’s chief executive officer said Monday.Speaking on the sidelines of the IATA conference in Dubai, United CEO Scott Kirby said those deliveries will reduce the carrier’s order for Boeing’s larger 737 Max 10 variant.

United Airlines Holdings Inc. is taking delivery of six Boeing Co. 737 Max 9 jets per mont...
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IATA Revises Down SAF Estimates as Projects Make Slow Progress

The International Air Transport Association revised down its estimates for the production of sustainable aviation fuel after finding that projects are so far failing to deliver fast enough.In a briefing at its annual meeting in Dubai, IATA said that it now sees 51 million tons of cumulative renewable fuel capacity by 2030, down from the 63 million tons it initially estimated in December. IATA made the adjustment after examining projects it tracks and finding many of them aren’t where they need t...
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Fliers Are Freaking Out Over Safety After Boeing, Singapore Air Mishaps

A spate of high-profile airline accidents this year have left a lasting impression on the public. There was the fiery Japan Airlines runway collision on Jan. 2 that killed five people, followed days later by the Boeing Co. door-plug blowout. From lost wheels to a turbulent Singapore Airlines flight this week that cost one life, the widely covered events have left the flying public to wonder whether it’s still safe to fly.

A spate of high-profile airline accidents this year have left a lasting i...
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Ryanair Says Summer Fares May Be Flat Despite Low Capacity

Ryanair Holdings Plc said ticket prices in the peak European travel season may be flat to modestly higher, with the carrier having to discount fares in the three months through June to spur bookings.The Irish airline said Monday that with visibility limited, it was too early to be able to provide guidance for its financial year that began April 2024. Still, Ryanair said that demand is positive with European short-haul travel capacity constrained.

Ryanair Holdings Plc said ticket prices in the p...
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Lilium In Talks For French Funding With German Aid Still Stalled

Lilium NV is in advanced talks with the French government for subsidies and loan guarantees in exchange for a production facility in France, offering a possible respite for the German flying taxi firm after it sought to pull in fresh funding from its home country.The expansion would involve as much as €400 million ($431 million) in investment and could create as many as 850 new jobs in France, Lilium said in a statement on Monday. The company is studying several possible locations, including the...
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British Airways Owner Says Summer Travel Demand Is Strong

British Airways owner IAG SA said it was well-placed for a strong summer season, with travel demand remaining robust after profit rose in the first quarter.The airline group, which also owns Spain’s Iberia, said it was focused on key markets within Europe and across the Atlantic, even as it faces challenges in the rest of the world. Forward bookings in the second quarter were above 80%, while the third quarter was 40% booked, Chief Executive Officer Luis Gallego said on a media call.

British Ai...
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Vertical Aerospace Overhauls Leadership as CFO Takes on Top Job

Vertical Aerospace elevated its finance chief to the role of chief executive officer, taking over from founder and current CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick as the UK flying taxi company rushes to get a new prototype airborne.Stuart Simpson will take over from Fitzpatrick with immediate effect, and the company will search for a new chief financial officer, it said in a statement on Wednesday. Fitzpatrick will remain on the board, focusing on business strategy, and Vertical said it also added former Rolls-...
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Ryanair CEO Says He’d ‘Happily’ Offer Rwanda Deportation Flights

Ryanair Holdings Plc Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Leary weighed into the UK’s controversial plan to deport refugees to Rwanda, saying he would “happily” do the flights if he had the available aircraft.“If it was the winter schedule and we had spare aircraft sitting around and if the government were looking for additional deportation flights or any other flights, we would happily quote for the business,” O’Leary said in an interview in London.

Ryanair Holdings Plc Chief Executive Officer Mi...
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Heathrow Faces Further Strike Action in May From Ground Staff

Almost 800 workers at London’s Heathrow Airport will strike for a week in May over plans by the operator to outsource their jobs, the Unite union said. Workers will walk out for seven days from May 7 in protest of plans to outsource jobs in passenger services, trolley operations, and campus security, the Unite union said in a statement Tuesday. Firefighters and airside staff will join the striking workers, the union said.

Almost 800 workers at London’s Heathrow Airport will strike for a week in...
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Rolls-Royce’s Ex-CEO to Run Embattled UK Air-Traffic Provider

Former Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc Chief Executive Officer Warren East was named chairman of beleaguered UK air-traffic control provider NATS.East ran Rolls-Royce from 2015 to 2022, overseeing the aerospace engine maker during a troubled time in which it battled issues with its Trent 1000 engine and saw its business depleted by the pandemic. He will assume the NATS role on Sept. 1, taking over from Paul Golby.

Former Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc Chief Executive Officer Warren East was named chairman o...
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British Airways Owner IAG Said to Consider Dividend This Year

IAG SA is weighing the prospect of reinstating dividend payments as soon as this year, people familiar with the matter said, bringing the airline group closer to fully repairing its finances after years of pandemic depression. The owner of British Airways has told investors that payouts could be made before the end of the year, said the people, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private. One factor for IAG in its decision process is that its investment program — which includ...
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London Heathrow Border Officers to Strike for Four Days in April

London Heathrow Airport is set to face disruption in mid-April when more than 600 border force officers will go on strike for four days.Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union who are responsible for passport and immigration checks at the UK’s largest airport will walk out from April 11 to 14, the union said on Thursday in a statement.

London Heathrow Airport is set to face disruption in mid-April when more than 600 border force officers will go on strike for four days.

Members of...
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Korean Air Nears Deal for About 20 Airbus A350 Widebody Jets

Korean Air Lines Co. is close to making a significant order for Airbus SE widebody jets, according to people familiar with the matter, as the carrier looks to simplify its fleet once it merges with Asiana Airlines Inc.The airline plans to buy around 20 A350 jets, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public. The agreement could be announced as soon as this week, though the deal isn’t final and could still fall apart depending on the outcome of a Ma...
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Cash-Burning Air Taxi Firm Plans Flight Tests Before July Show

Vertical Aerospace Ltd. said it wants to begin flight tests of its new air taxi prototype ahead of a public display at the Farnborough Air Show this summer, setting up a tight deadline to meet the schedule as it continues to burn through cash. The company said in a shareholder letter and annual report that it plans to complete final assembly of its VX4 prototype in coming weeks and move to flight testing ahead of the air show in July. It had initially targeted early 2024 to build the prototype f...
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Business Frequent Flyers Are Failing to Lower Their Carbon Footprint

Most of the world’s largest companies are failing to set ambitious targets to reduce their employees’ emissions from flying, according to a new report from Brussels-based nonprofit Transport & Environment. Just 17% of 328 global companies analyzed by T&E have credible plans to reduce corporate flying emissions. The remaining 271 companies are not taking the weight of their climate impact seriously, the report notes.

Most of the world’s largest companies are failing to set ambitious targets to r...