Ethiopian Airlines will launch 3X-weekly Addis Ababa-New York Newark services with a stop in Lomé, Togo, July 3. The carrier will operate a Boeing 787-8 on the route configured with 24 business class seats and 246 economy seats. Ethiopian had been considering flying to New York JFK, but has settled on Newark instead. The Star Alliance member suspended flights to Newark in 2004 to provide nonstop service between Washington Dulles and Addis Ababa. At Lomé, passengers have will have the opportunity to make connections to/from destinations in West Africa with ASKY, Ethiopian’s partner airline based in Lomé. In addition to Washington Dulles, Ethiopian also serves Toronto and Los Angeles in North America. <br/>
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United Continental is nearing an agreement with activist investors that would include replacing Chairman Henry Meyer III as part of a broader board overhaul, sources said. Meyer’s departure would clear the way for a successor with deep airline experience, one of the changes sought by Altimeter Capital Management and PAR Capital Management, which combined control 7.2% of the airline’s stock. The 66-year-old retired banker has served as United’s non-executive chairman since the September ouster of former CE Jeff Smisek, but drew criticism for communication lapses when new CE Oscar Munoz fell gravely ill. Contenders to succeed Meyer include two directors who joined the United board a day before the proxy fight became public: former Air Canada CE Robert Milton and James Whitehurst, a former COO at Delta, sources said. Milton is poised to emerge as the winner because of his stint heading the Canadian carrier and its holding company, they said. <br/>
Air NZ's failed attempt to oust Virgin Australia CE John Borghetti could have the ironic result of the airline boss receiving a payout of around A$8m if SIA makes a successful takeover bid. Air NZ last month said it would look to sell all or part of its 25.9% stake in Virgin after the decision by the Kiwi carrier's boss, Christopher Luxon, to resign from the board. Luxon did so after failing to receive support to replace Borghetti from other directors. SIA is viewed as the most likely party to make a full takeover offer for Virgin given its long-standing strategic interest in the Australian market, its strong balance sheet and desire to ensure a Chinese rival doesn't join the Virgin register. The near $8m payout figure for Borghetti, based on Virgin's closing share price of 35.5¢ Friday, could be even higher if SIA is forced to pay a premium to gain acceptances from other shareholders. <br/>