Heavy wind and rain began battering Bermuda late Wednesday as the British territory braced itself for Hurricane Nicole, which became a major Category 3 storm as it tracked toward the tiny island in the northern Atlantic Ocean. The US National Hurricane Center in Miami said the storm is expected to pass near or over Bermuda on Thursday morning. The storm could strengthen even more as it approaches Bermuda, forecasters said. While Bermuda has sturdy infrastructure and is accustomed to storms, government officials urged people to prepare for the hurricane and remain indoors on Wednesday and Thursday. American Airlines and Air Canada are among several that have canceled flights to the island, and several cruise ships have cancelled trips as well.<br/>
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The Principality of Monaco is planning a E150m investment in Nice Airport, according to a media report. A 64% stake in the southern France airport was sold to an Italian-led consortium, with the French government expecting proceeds of the sale to reach E1.22b. Monaco was reported by local TV station BFMTV as planning to buy five percent of the airport’s capital, the equivalent of 12% of the Atlantia/EDF consortium’s stake.<br/>
Sukhoi Civil Aircraft plans to offer a 120-seat version of the Superjet (SSJ) by stretching the center of the fuselage and using larger wings. The Russian manufacturer will begin marketing the new derivative next year, with an entry into service target of the beginning of 2020. Currently Sukhoi offers the 98-seat SSJ100, but speaking at the European Regions Airline Association General Assembly in Madrid, Superjet International CEO Nazario Cauceglia said Sukhoi is planning a stretch version with 22 more seats. “We will add 22 more seats to reach 120,” Cauceglia said. “We will redesign the central part of the fuselage to make it longer. We want to keep the core as common as possible.” It will have a larger wing, although the rear of the aircraft—including the control surfaces—and the engines will remain the same.<br/>