Thai Lion Air is going full steam ahead with its expansion, undeterred by lingering concerns over Thailand's aviation safety expressed by some countries. The no-frills subsidiary of Lion Air Group is zeroing in on spreading its wings internationally and enlarging its domestic network. Myanmar, Vietnam and China are on TLA's radar screen for launch this year with a resumption of flights to Indonesia from its Bangkok base forming part of the international expansion, said TLA CE Aswin Yangkirativorn. Domestically, the airline, now in its third year of operation, plans to add Trang, Khon Kaen and Phitsanulok while considering connecting Hat Yai with Chiang Mai. The route expansion is consistent with TLA's increased aircraft capacity as 5 more jets, a combination of Boeing B737-900ERs and 737-800s, are due to join the fleet this year. <br/>
unaligned
Russia’s Interstate Aviation Committee said a preliminary analysis of the Flydubai Boeing 737 data recorder has found “no on board system malfunctions, aircraft components’ defects or power system failures.” The Flydubai 737 crashed on landing in severe weather at Rostov-on-Don Airport March 19. The IAC, with investigators from the UAE and the US, continues to identify fragments of the aircraft at Rostov-on-Don. The commission will also examine 737 components and the aircraft’s control system. Investigators have requested technical documents from Boeing, which will verify the functionality of the aircraft systems, as well as information about all similar Boeing aircraft incidents. The IAC also has decoded nearly an hour of dialogue from the CVR, including the final minutes of the flight. <br/>
Boodai Corporation, Kuwait's investment holding conglomerate, has hired HSBC to advise it on a possible stake sale in Jazeera Airways, say sources familiar with the matter. The family-owned investment company was looking at various options to sell down its stake in the airline, the sources said. It holds 16.89% of Jazeera directly and further stakes indirectly through special purpose vehicles, giving it a controlling stake, according to the sources. Chairman Marwan Boodai set up the airline in 2004, the first non-govt owned airline in the Middle East. People familiar with the M&A industry said Boodai might struggle to find a buyer because aviation was not as popular a sector for investors in the region as industries such as fast-moving consumer goods, healthcare and finance. <br/>
Europe will have a new long-haul low-cost carrier later this year when an airline called French Blue starts service to the Caribbean. It will join the likes of Norwegian Air and WOW Air, who already fly between Europe and the Americas. The new airline is owned by a French conglomerate called Groupe Dubreuil, which is heavily involved in travel and hospitality businesses, but also owns assets in other industries. Dubreuil does have experience in the aviation business already. It currently owns a regional airline called Air Caraïbes. French Blue’s first route be between Paris Orly and the Dominican Republic. The plan is for the first flight to take off in September of this year. In 2017, Blue hopes to expand to the Indian Ocean with flights from Paris to Mauritius and the French overseas territory of Reunion. <br/>
Alaska Airlines plans to form a wholly owned subsidiary, McGee Air Services, a dedicated airline services company to provide ground handling, aircraft cleaning and airport mobility services. Initially, the company will provide airline services for Alaska Airlines. McGee Air Services will operate as a vendor for the carrier and will compete for Alaska contracts in select cities. As the company develops the infrastructure and processes, McGee Air Services will evaluate opportunities to serve other airlines. Alaska Airlines COO Ben Minicucci said the carrier has “recognised the need to have more options when it comes to ground handling, aircraft cleaning and wheelchair services.” <br/>