BTN News

flyLAL purchased

: BTN News; Monday, 12 January 2009

Swiss investment fund Swiss Capital Holdings has agreed to buy financially troubled Lithuanian airline flyLAL and says the carrier will continue to be developed as a European regional carrier.

UK carriers Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have launched a business class fares war, cutting fares to Sydney, Australia by as much as 24 per cent and transatlantic ticket prices by up to 40 per cent.

Scottish operator wins Finnish rights

: BTN News; Monday, 12 January 2009

Scotland’s Highland Airways is to operate three-times-per weekday domestic services using a 19-seat Jetstream 31 between Helsinki and Lappeenranta in Finland.

Boeing to cut 4500 heads

: BTN News; Monday, 12 January 2009

US planemaker Boeing is to cut 4,500 mainly administrative ‘overhead function’ jobs in the Puget Sound area of the US where it assembles its jetliners.

EC set to clear Vueling-Clickair deal

: BTN News; Monday, 12 January 2009

The European Commission has given conditional clearance for closer ties among Spanish airlines Iberia, Vueling and Clickair.

Mannion backflips on handshake

: BTN News; Monday, 12 January 2009

The chief executive of Ireland's Aer Lingus, Dermot Mannion, has surrendered a golden handshake clause in his contract that would have rewarded him EUR2.8 million if he resigned following a takeover by rival Ryanair.

Qatar seeks 787 compensation

: BTN News; Monday, 12 January 2009

With an estimated 50-plus airlines now waiting for the delayed Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Gulf Arab carrier Qatar Airways says its expansion plans are being affected and it is in talks with the manufacturer over compensation.

Virgin Nigeria exits long haul

: BTN News; Monday, 12 January 2009

Following on from 49 per cent owner Virgin Atlantic’s attempts to exit the airline, Nigeria's flag carrier Virgin Nigeria is to suspending long-haul services to London, UK and Johannesburg, South Africa from the end of January.

Wizz launches

: BTN News; Monday, 12 January 2009

Ukrainian budget airline Wizz Air Ukraine has launched a four-times-a-week service between the UK’s London Luton Airport and Kiev and Lviv in the Ukraine.

Etihad tops six million

: BTN News; Friday, 09 January 2009

Etihad Airways reports its passenger figures topped six million during 2008, up 34 per cent on 2007 for the UAE national carrier. Seat factor rose to 75 per cent, up from 68 per cent. Etihad has a flight network of 50 destinations.