Temasek Holdings is studying potential investments in Swissport Group and Gategroup Holding, both owned by HNA Group, as it considers deals with the indebted Chinese conglomerate, people with knowledge of the matter said. Temasek, which inked a partnership with the Chinese group this week, is exploring buying stakes in a number of HNA affiliates that are complementary to its portfolio companies, the people said. It may reach agreements on some of the potential deals as soon as Q3 depending on the pace of negotiations, one of the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. Swissport’s bonds jumped by a record. Swissport offers ground and cargo handling services at airports, while Gategroup is an airline caterer. SATS Ltd, a Singapore-listed company whose biggest shareholder is Temasek, runs similar operations. Temasek is also studying a variety of other investments in HNA units, the people said. The Singapore state investment firm is exploring spending at least a few hundred million US dollars on any deal, the person said. Any investments would be subject to commercial negotiations, and there’s no certainty the deliberations will lead to any transaction, the people said.<br/>
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Emirates will commit to purchasing options for 16 Airbus A380 jets from a previously announced $16b order that handed a lifeline to the slow-selling jet, the airline’s president said Wednesday. The Middle East airline placed a provisional order for 20 of the double-decker superjumbos in January, which it has since finalised, with an option for 16 more. “We will exercise them sooner rather than later,” Emirates President Tim Clark said. The January order secured the future for world’s biggest passenger jets for at least another decade, saving it from being scrapped. Emirates is the A380s biggest backer, ordering far more than any other customer and making it the flagship of a fleet that has helped transform Dubai into a major international air hub.<br/>
Southwest and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA), the union representing over 2,400 Southwest maintenance technicians and related employees, reached an agreement in principle April 10 for a five-year contract. The agreement comes “after nearly six years of negotiations,” AMFA national director Bret Oestreich said. “The parties have reached the stage where it is time for our members at Southwest to review and vote on a package produced by this protracted process.” The current AMFA contract became amendable in August 2012; the AMFA filed for National Mediation Board assistance in July 2015. Southwest described the contract as including terms for updated work rules, improved wages and benefits, and a total of $91m in ratification bonus payments. Southwest labour managers said the agreement “is good for our people and helps Southwest maintain an efficient operation” and “rewards [our employees’] efforts with an industry-leading offer.” The AIP’s contract language is being finalized and will be sent to employees for a ratification vote in the coming weeks.<br/>