The EU took the unprecedented step Thursday of accusing Washington of breaching the so-called Open Skies pact aimed at liberalizing trans-Atlantic air travel—opening a high-profile trade rift just before the Trump administration takes office. The challenge centers on a relatively obscure application by European budget carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle, which is seeking to expand low-cost flights to the US and has faced extensive delays. It represents the biggest international dispute yet over the hot-button trade issue of foreign-airline market access. Some US airlines leaned on the Obama administration to slow the growth of foreign rivals accessing the US, in particular the rapidly expanding Persian Gulf carriers such as Emirates Airline and Qatar Airways. The American airlines accuse them of benefiting from government subsidies, a charge they deny. At the same time, the lucrative trans-Atlantic route has become a battleground between legacy US and European carriers and upstart budget airlines, like Norwegian Air, which are increasingly offering cheap long-haul flights. The Norwegian Air dispute stems from the carrier’s plans to use an Ireland-based affiliate to operate long-haul flights from Europe to Asia and the Americas, including to the US. It is seeking a “foreign air-carrier permit,” essentially a seal of approval from American regulators for the Irish arrangement.<br/>
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Russia’s State Transport Leasing (STLC) has placed an order for five Let L-410 aircraft with Russia’s Ural Works of Civil Aviation (UWCA), in a deal valued at RUB2 billion ($30.7m) at list prices. Half of the sum will be subsidized. The Russian government announced in June it was ready to develop L-410 manufacturing at UWCA. Originally the aircraft type was assembled at Kunovice-based Czech Aircraft Industries, formerly known as Let, which was bought by Russia’s industrial holding company, Ural Mining and Metallurgical Co. Earlier this week, UWCA said it gained Russian certification, giving it the go-ahead to begin manufacturing the L-410s. STLC also said it signed a firm order with Yamal Airlines to lease 13 Sukhoi Superjet 100s (SSJ100s). The deal is part an order for 25 SSJ100s that was announced in August 2015.<br/>
Private suites, butler service, onboard showers, closets full of pajamas … international airlines have launched plenty of flashy amenities in their first- and business-class cabins in recent years. But the perks on the ground are just as exciting. One trend we're excited to see on the uptick? Full-service spas in airlines' premium lounges, often with a high-end cosmetic brand as partner, and special emphasis on a discerning male clientele. In fact, Virgin Atlantic's Spas and Salons Manager Rebecca Creer says that 65% of the customers using the spa at the airline's flagship London Heathrow Clubhouse are men. Here's how some of the best airline lounges in the world are pushing the envelope in the spa department beyond chair massages for the masses-and what you need to do to be pampering-eligible.<br/>