India is selling a controlling stake in its flagship carrier along with two-thirds of the airline’s about US$7.8b debt, as prime minister Narendra Modi moves ahead with the nation’s most high profile asset sale in decades. The govt will sell 76% of Air India, according to a document uploaded on the civil aviation ministry’s website Wednesday. The airline’s overseas budget carrier will be completely sold in the offer, while the state will sell a 50% stake in the ground handling unit separately. The administration may also ask the buyer to conduct an initial public offering. IndiGo is the only company to publicly disclose a desire to buy Air India’s airline operations -- the most lucrative business that includes prime time slots at airports from New York to Heathrow, as well as bilateral rights to start flights to most countries. <br/>
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Greater comfort and convenience await passengers on SIA regional flights, as the carrier unveiled the latest upgrade to its cabin products Wednesday. SIA invested US$350m to outfit the first 20 of its new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners with redesigned seats and cabin layouts. Economy-class seats now come with larger in-flight entertainment touchscreens, a new contoured backrest and a 6-way adjustable headrest for greater comfort. Business-class passengers on these routes will enjoy the luxuries offered on longer-haul flights, such as fully reclining beds. With seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, instead of 2-2-2, all passengers in business class will have convenient access to the aisle. The centre pair of seats in this class also has adjustable dividers so that customers travelling alone can have more privacy. <br/>
After expanding sales to India in the past month, Honda Aircraft has partnered with ANA to use the HondaJet for feeder and charter flights. Honda Aircraft has signed a memorandum of understanding with ANA for a partnership that will further integrate Honda's HondaJet into global markets. Through the partnership with Honda Aircraft, ANA will introduce current business jet owners and commercial flight customers to the HondaJet by utilising the business jet for its feeder and charter flights connecting to major airline hubs in North America and Europe. Honda Aircraft will support the partnership by working with global charter operators to provide coverage for ANA's customers and instituting ground support operations at multiple transit locations. <br/>
Air China reported a 2017 net profit of CNY7.2b (US$1.1b), up 6.3% over net income of CNY6.8b in 2016 as market demand continues to grow. Operating revenue increased 7.7% to CNY121.4b. Passenger traffic revenue grew 6.4% to CNY106.7b and cargo traffic revenue jumped 23.5% to CNY10.3b. Operating expenses were up 15% to CNY100.3b and fuel costs rose 29.2% to CNY28.4b. Passenger boardings rose 5.2% to 101.6m with an average load factor of 81.1%, up 0.46 points over 2016. Passenger capacity grew 6.3% to 247.8b ASKs against a 6.9% increase in passenger revenue to 201.1b RPKs. Cargo traffic volume rose 4.1% to 1.8m tonnes. Looking ahead, Air China plans to introduce 54 aircraft and retire 22 in 2018, and in 2019 it will take delivery of 63 aircraft and phase out 17. <br/>
Aegean Airlines has signed an MOU to acquire 20 Airbus A320neos and 10 A321neos, plus 12 options. Alongside the MOU, which is expected to be firmed in June, Airbus said Aegean will also acquire “a significant number” of A320neo family aircraft from leasing companies. The decision comes as Aegean Airlines prepares to grow to a 75-aircraft fleet by 2023. Aegean, which acquired Olympic Air in 2013, currently operates 46 Airbus A320-family aircraft and 12 turboprops. Aegean took most of its current A320ceos around 2007-11 and their leases will come to an end around 2023-24. If firmed, the order would be valued at US$5b at list prices, which Aegean said is the largest private investment in Greece. Aegean said it will take “at least” 10 A321neos, but under the commitment it has the right to convert further A320neos to the larger variant. <br/>