Aer Lingus’s is likely to step up transatlantic services following the addition of 7 new Airbus 321 neo LR aircraft. The carrier’s parent, IAG said Monday that it was leasing the 7 craft for Aer Lingus. They will be delivered in 2019 and 2020 and used mainly to replace the airline’s existing long-haul craft. IAG CE, Willie Walsh, said that their introduction would allow Aer Lingus to fly more often on routes between Dublin and the US east coast. “This will provide additional flexibility for connecting passengers and will strengthen Dublin as the Aer Lingus transatlantic hub,” he said. The A321 neo LR is said to be one of the more cost-efficient narrowbody craft. Aer Lingus will fit them with 186 business and economy class seats. <br/>
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British holidaymakers have been warned by The Foreign Office not to travel on Insel Air, the national carrier of Dutch Caribbean island Curacao, due to safety concerns. “The US and Netherlands authorities have prohibited their staff from using the airline while safety checks are being carried out. UK govt officials have been told to the same as a precaution.” Boasting a fleet of 18 aircraft, and serving 26 destinations across the Caribbean and South America, as well as Miami in the US, Insel Air carried 1.4m passengers in 2016. The airline said: “Contrary to the information being circulated by the media...both airlines remain until now unaware of any findings from the Dutch Civil Aviation Inspectorate that would have an effect on the airworthiness of their operations." <br/>
VietJet's market capitalisation surpassed that of Vietnam Airlines Monday, only a week after it was listed. VietJet grabbed headlines with bikini-clad flight attendants when it was launched in 2011 and its success on the Ho Chi Minh stock exchange reflects its rapid ascent since. VietJet's market share is expected to top that of Vietnam Airlines this year, a feat it has achieved by tapping into a fast-growing economy and a young population starting to travel more. VietJet shares hit US$6.03 each, valuing it at $1.8b, ahead of Vietnam Airlines at $1.7b. Growth in the Vietnamese market, which is one of the fastest in Asia Pacific, and a relatively small free-float in VietJet shares for retail investors, had driven the price of the shares, brokers said. <br/>