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Airbus is poised to win an order for at least 30 A321 single-aisle jetliners from Delta Air Lines valued at US$3.5b or more at list prices as part of a wider fleet overhaul at the carrier, according to people familiar with the plan. Details of the transaction are still being worked out and Delta needs board approval for the purchase, according to the people. Delta has already ordered 45 A321s from Airbus in 2 batches, the last in June 2014. Airbus also secured a $14b Delta deal for 25 A350-900s and the same number of updated A330neos in late 2014 after winning out in contests with Boeing. The airline is rebuilding its ageing short-haul fleet as the low oil price spurs earnings to record levels. Bombardier is also nearing a deal with Delta for 75 smaller C Series jets as part of that renewal, another person has said. <br/>

Air France resumed flights to Iran Sunday after last year's landmark deal to curb Iranian nuclear activities, as part of larger French and European efforts to rebuild trade ties long frozen by sanctions. The direct flight from Paris to Tehran was the first since 2008. Air France CE Frederic Gagey was optimistic the line would prove profitable. "It's a touristic destination which I believe is going to become very popular, very attractive," he said. Air France is also counting on Paris to become a hub for American and other tourists headed to Tehran. The resumption of flights will restore a longstanding aviation link between the two countries. The airline operated flights to Tehran from 1946 until Oct 2008, when they were suspended amid UN and EU sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. <br/>

Air France will add 2 weekly Paris Charles de Gaulle-San José (Costa Rica) services from Nov 2, which will run throughout the 2016-17 winter season. The flight will use a 468-seat Boeing 777-300. Airbus, Boeing and Embraer have recently predicted a large demand for aircraft serving the Latin America and Caribbean region over the next 20 years. Air France chairman and CE Frédéric Gagey said, “By offering 2 new direct flights between Paris and San José, we are connecting all of Europe to an exceptional tourist destination. With this new offer, we also aim to support the vibrant economy of Costa Rica.” Costa Rica president Luis Guillermo Solís added: “As part of a vast network of connecting flights, the new route will also serve as a gateway to Central America for European tourists." <br/>

Alitalia will resume direct flights to China with a new 4X-weekly service to Beijing, starting July 2016. The carrier described the move as “one more step forward as [Alitalia] proceeds with its long-haul network development plan.” The Beijing schedule will use 250-seat Airbus A330 aircraft in a 3-class cabin, and will feature a newly renovated cabin layout as well as inflight Wi-Fi. The Beijing schedule will complement 2 other long-haul routes to be introduced by Alitalia this year—Santiago, Chile in May 2016, and Mexico City in June 2016. In Asia, the carrier presently flies daily services to Tokyo and Seoul. The airline cut its previous Beijing schedule in March 2013 when it was struggling to keep afloat despite a E500m (US$675.9m) bailout plan, partly funded by the Italian govt. <br/>

Aeroflot is in talks with potential partners about a joint venture. Deputy CE Giorgio Callegari confirmed Friday that Aeroflot is in talks with multiple potential partners regarding a possible joint venture, but would not name them. "The industry is innovating and looking at the different set-up in terms of partnerships and as a global airline we do the same. We are looking at all the options," he said. When asked about media reports which said the Russian state, owner of just over 51% of Aeroflot, could seek to sell some of its shares, Callegari said that was a matter for the company's shareholders, and that management's focus was on making sure the company performs. Aeroflot has been operating in a difficult environment in Russia, whose economy has been hit by Western sanctions, a low oil price and a weak rouble. <br/>