Ethiopian Airlines said Tuesday it would resume flights to Eritrea's capital Asmara on July 17 for the first time in 20 years, a day after the neighbours and longtime foes declared their "state of war" over. In a historic deal Monday, the Horn of Africa neighbours agreed to open embassies, develop ports and resume flights, concrete signs of a rapprochement that has swept away two decades of hostility since war erupted over their disputed frontier in 1998. "With the opening of a new chapter of peace and friendship between the two sisterly countries, we look forward to starting flights to Asmara with the B787," the firm's Chief Executive Tewolde GebreMariam said, referring to a Boeing jet. Monday's announcement formally ended one of Africa's most intractable military stand-offs.<br/>
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South African Airways pledged to urgently begin a search for a private-sector partner to help turn around the troubled state-owned carrier and ease the burden on an already stretched National Treasury. The assurance followed an attempt by the Solidarity union to end SAA’s reliance on state funding and push the airline into business rescue. The carrier hasn’t made a profit since 2011 and last year needed a bailout to avoid a default on borrowings. “The reality is that there is pressure to find funding solutions for SAA,” a spokesman said. “For that reason, there is a decision to commence, as soon as possible, a process for a strategic equity partner.” An investor or aviation partner has long been mooted as the answer to SAA’s financial crisis, though no candidates have yet come forward. CEO Vuyani Jarana said in April that the government was in talks with a private-equity firm, while the previous month he said the company’s balance sheet will need to be repaired before a new party could be introduced.<br/>
Airbus has sent United tailored specifications for the A321LR and A330neo, as the US carrier continues its evaluation of possible Boeing 757 and 767 replacements. The customised specifications show possible seat counts and operator's empty weight for the A321LR, A330-800 and A330-900 based on United's requirements, the documents show. They were prepared in March and April for the airline. The carrier is considering the aircraft, as well as Boeing's 737 Max 10, 787-8 and proposed New Mid-market Airplane (NMA), as possible replacements for its 757-200s and -300s, and 767-300ERs in the 2020s. "We are always in discussions with our manufacturers on how to best update our fleet and have no announcements at this time," said United in the documents. The specifications Airbus prepared for the airline are standard practice in major fleet campaigns. United has likely received similar documents from Boeing for the 737-10, 787-8 and proposed NMA.<br/>