The US TSA said Monday it was lifting a ban on passengers on Saudi Arabian Airlines carrying large electronics like laptops onboard US-bound flights, the last carrier under the restrictions. In March, US officials imposed restrictions on passengers carrying laptops and other large electronic gear in cabins on nine airlines, most of which were Middle Eastern carriers, to address the potential threat of hidden explosives. Last month, US officials announced new security requirements for all airlines rather than an expansion of the laptop ban and have been dropping the restrictions from airlines as they boosted security. A TSA spokesman said the US government had lifted the restrictions at Saudi Arabian Airlines' main hub in Jeddah at King Abdulaziz International Airport on Monday. US government officials will visit Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport "later this week to confirm compliance there as well," spokesman James Gregory said. On Thursday, the US Department of Homeland Security issued a revised directive to airlines around the world in response to requests that it clarify aviation security measures scheduled to begin taking effect later this week. An airline official briefed on the matter said the directive gave airlines more flexibility and additional time to obtain explosive trace detection equipment. The directive includes technical adjustments, agency officials said, declining to release the text. European airlines have been pushing for changes to meet the new requirements. DHS has said that it could impose new restrictions on laptops if airlines do not make security upgrades.<br/>
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The skies over Argentina have airline industry veterans lining up planes. The nation’s vast territory and a young working population in Buenos Aires with links to faraway hometowns are two attractions. Join those with a government willing to open virtually untapped markets -- currently served almost exclusively by state-run Aerolineas Argentinas -- and the potential is huge. That’s what Michael Cawley is betting on. The former Ryanair Holdings COO sees similarities between Argentina now and Poland in the early 2000s, countries with comparable populations where high fares and limited competition prevail. After low-cost carriers entered, air travel in Poland tripled. “Argentina is probably the last such country on the planet where there is an incredible opportunity,” said Cawley, now an investor in low-cost startup carrier Flybondi. “The metrics in Argentina show an incomparable opportunity. Much much better than Ryanair ever encountered in Europe.” Cawley, alongside former Wizz Air executive Michael Powell and other investors from Argentina, Europe and Asia, just poured $75m into Flybondi, in a financing led by Cartesian Capital Group, the US-based $2.6b private equity fund. And opportunity is not just in Argentina -- the entire region is ripe, as evidenced by the arrival of eight discount carriers, including Viva Air Peru -- backed by Ryanair co-founder Declan Ryan -- and JetSMART in Chile. Story has further details.<br/>
Boeing and Airbus suddenly have competition. For nearly two decades, the two have had the global market for big commercial jets largely to themselves. That is all changing, with three new competitors -- from China, Russia and Canada -- rolling out their own entrees into the so-called single-aisle market. Orders for these new jets are few for now, and the Russian and Chinese makers won't deliver planes for years. The jury is also still out on how popular they will ever be. Boeing and Airbus, meanwhile, are selling plenty of their own, tried and tested work horses in the category. Still, if even one of these new competing jets is a hit, it could threaten one of the most lucrative sectors for Boeing and Airbus. "I don't have any problem buying Russian or Chinese aircraft," if a viable model emerges, Akbar Al Baker, CE of Qatar Airways, one of the world's biggest jet buyers, said recently. The sudden competition is unfamiliar for both jet makers, and it adds pressure on them as they face waning demand in other markets. Bigger, long-haul jets aren't selling nearly as well as single-aisle, or narrowbody, jets and both Boeing and Airbus have struggled recently with big cost overruns and delays for some of their military programs. The narrowbody market has been the industry's sweet spot for years. Big airlines and fast-growing budget ones love them for their size and fuel efficiency. Amid that booming market, three new players have swept in. China flew its C919 narrowbody for the first time in early May. The Chinese jet, built by state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp., known as Comac, has secured more than 500 orders, mainly from Chinese buyers. First delivery is expected around 2020. Comac didn't respond to requests for comment. Russia's MC-21, which can seat up to 211 passengers, also made its maiden voyage in May. It is made by Irkut Corp., which says it has taken in 175 orders and will deliver its first in 2019 as it prepares for further tests. Canada's Bombardier Inc., meanwhile, began delivering a 130-seat version of its CSeries plane in November. <br/>
HNA Group’s subsidiary HNA Infrastructure Investment Co. plans to purchase a 21% stake in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro Aeroportos for CNY108m ($16 million). According to an HNA statement released by the Shanghai Stock Exchange, HNA Investment will also increase a CNY2.2b capital injection to RJA to pay off its airport franchise fees. RJA holds a 51% stake in Concessionária Aeroporto Rio de Janeiro, which holds the franchise rights for Rio de Janeiro Airport. Brazil’s engineering company Odebrecht and Changi Airports International together hold a 51% stake in CARJ while the Brazilian government holds 49%. After the deal, HNA Infrastructure will replace Odebrecht and hold a 51% stake in CARJ with CAI. The deal still needs Brazilian and Chinese government approvals. Rio de Janeiro Airport is the second biggest airport in Brazil with an annual passenger throughput of 17 million.<br/>