Arctic Aviation Assets (AAA), the leasing subsidiary of Norwegian, has exercised options on 2 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, converting them to firm orders. AAA also signed LOI June 14 for a sale-and-leaseback transaction of 11 Boeing 737-800s currently operated by Norwegian. AAA now has 110 737 MAX models on firm order, plus 90 remaining purchase options. The LOI for sale-and-leaseback of the 11 aircraft is expected to reduce the Norwegian Group’s financial net debt by NOK1.4b (US$165m). The latest actions follow the May 4 announcement of a sale-and-leaseback deal on 8 new Boeing 737-800s to be conducted in Q2 2107. Following the sale of those 8 new deliveries, together with the 11 aircraft already in the fleet, the Norwegian Group estimates a positive net cash flow impact of approximately NOK2.3b. <br/>
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El Al was ranked as the noisiest, dirtiest airline operating out of Heathrow Airport, according to the results of a list published by the airport. The Fly Quiet and Clean League Table, which Heathrow intends to release every quarter in order to encourage airlines to fly more fuel efficient planes, ranked the 50 airlines at the airport in 7 categories, like noise pollution, timely arrivals, and nitrous oxide emissions. El Al finished last in 5 out of the 7 categories. In terms of the actual rankings, El Al finished just behind Kuwait Airways, Middle East Airlines, and Pakistan International Airlines (Aer Lingus, and Etihad Airways finished at the top). El Al said in response that it inaugurated its new 787 Dreamliner aircraft this week, which will go into use beginning in August. The Dreamliner is less noisy and more environmentally friendly.” <br/>
It may not come as news to regular fliers, but Europe's budget airlines are some of the least popular in the world, according to rankings published this week. The list, compiled by AirHelp - a start-up that helps passengers get compensation after delays or cancellations - graded 87 global airlines on quality and service, on-time performance and claims processing. It also took into account how people discussed airlines on social media. Ryanair came in fifth from bottom at 83 while EasyJet fared marginally better at 73. Monarch was ranked the fourth worst airline, just above TunisAir. Bulgaria Air was ranked as the worst airline, with the Czech Republic's SmartWings and TunisAir just above it. <br/>
Germania plans to base a third Boeing 737-700 at Dresden Airport by summer 2018 and will add new 14 destinations to its flight program. Germania sales director Claus Altenburg said, “We have experienced very high demand from tour operators for our flights to holiday destinations and currently we are unable to satisfy that demand in full [for this summer].” To meet overall demand, he said flight offerings for next summer will be boosted by operating a third 737-700; a further 14 departures will be added to the current number of 33 departures each week. Germania said there will be more flights to Crete, Rhodes and Kos. “Germania will also be adding further flights to Antalya, doubling the volume to 4 flights per week. The daily connection to Palma de Mallorca will continue, as well as the flights to the Canary Islands”. <br/>