The governments of Norway and Sweden say they have sold some of their shares in Scandinavian Airlines, saying the move will strengthen the regional carrier by reducing state ownership. Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Monica Maeland says "there are no good reasons why the state should own an airline." Maeland said Thursday's transaction was in line with the government's ambition "to strengthen private ownership." The governments sold a total of 23m shares, reducing Sweden and Norway's shareholding in SAS to 17.2% from 21% and to 11.5% from 14%, respectively. Denmark, which owns 14% in the Stockholm-based airline, didn't take part in the sale. Her Swedish colleague, Mikael Damberg, said it was the first step to reduce the Swedish state's ownership.<br/>
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LOT Polish Airlines has agreed to lease up to 11 Boeing 737 MAX 8s from US lessor Air Lease Corp. for delivery in 2017-2020. ALC said it will place six new 737 MAX 8s with CFM LEAP-1B engines on long-term lease to the Warsaw-based carrier. The agreement also includes the option to lease five new 737 MAX 8s, to be confirmed by early 2017. All 11 aircraft are from ALC’s order book with Boeing. According to an ALC statement, delivery of the first two firmly contracted aircraft will begin in the fourth quarter of 2017, the next two in 2018, one in 2019, and the sixth aircraft will deliver in or before the first quarter of 2020. The optioned aircraft are expected to deliver in 2019 and 2020. The new 737 MAX 8 aircraft will be used by LOT to increase frequencies and add new destinations on LOT’s European and Eurasian route network.<br/>