Airbus delivered its new version of the world’s bestselling airplane Wednesday to Lufthansa, dropping off the fuel-efficient jet in Hamburg.The short period after the holidays prevented a larger event, Airbus spokesman Stefan Schaffrath says, but Lufthansa and Airbus will have a big A320neo party in the next few weeks when the carrier gets its second plane. “So no worries, there will be festivity,” Schaffrath wrote. Lufthansa and Airbus chose to sit on the “neo” aspect of the new airplane, painting Airbus A320-200 near the cabin door, just as it appears on current models of the A320. Why the lack of distinction? No one is saying. “Handing over the first A320neo to a world’s leading airline and long-standing Airbus customer, Lufthansa, is a truly great day for everyone at Airbus,” Airbus’s CEO Fabrice Brégier said. Airbus says the A320neo—which began development in 2010 and stands for "new engine option"—offers airlines 15% greater fuel efficiency now and 20% by 2020 through planned upgrades. Despite its shiny new status, some 95% of the plane matches current A320s, a manufacturing strategy that helps integrate new versions into airline fleets.<br/>
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Several lenders providing South African Airways with short-term facilities that are not guaranteed have indicated they don’t plan to withdraw their funding, South Africa’s National Treasury said. The government is in regular talks with lenders and these will “continue until the airline is stabilized,” the Pretoria-based ministry said Wednesday. “SAA is open for business and will remain so,” Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said. The carrier recently lost access to a short-term credit facility from Citigroup and has been surviving on about $834m of government-debt guarantees, after last posting a full-year profit in 2011. SAA has had seven acting or permanent chief executive officers in less than four years.<br/>South Africa’s Treasury is also considering a request made in December for a going-concern guarantee from the airline. The approval of the guarantee “is essential for finalizing SAA’s financial statements on a going concern basis,” it said.<br/>SAA’s board reports to Gordhan and the Treasury is focused on ensuring the airline has enough cash to meet its requirements, the appointment of a full board and permanent Chief Executive Officer. It also aims to ensure that the carrier returns to a “stronger financial footing in the medium to longer term,” it said<br/>
Flight NZ90 might have "scared the bejesus" out of passengers, but turbulence is nothing to fear, aviation experts say. The Air New Zealand flight from Tokyo to Auckland encountered unexpected strong turbulence during its dinner service, causing food to be splashed onto the ceiling and leaving passengers screaming and crying. Passengers described how the plane dropped suddenly three times, and jolted violently for about 10 minutes. Flying Without Fear programme director and psychologist Grant Amos said people often dramatise and over-emotionalise turbulence. "Turbulence is not a threat to the aircraft at all. If you happen to be walking to the toilet and you went through that sort of situation, that's dangerous because you can be flung around. But if you're seated and your seatbelt is on, and you listen to instructions… you're not in danger." The fear comes from the unknown, because the average traveller does not understand how a plane works, Amos said.<br/>
Slovenia has sold state-owned Adria Airways to German investment fund 4K KNDNS, state investment firm Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SDH) said. SDH, which is coordinating the country's privatisation efforts, said the state would inject E3.1m into Adria while 4K would inject E1m. Adria is one of 15 companies that were selected for privatisation in 2013 and the eighth of those to be sold.<br/>