Cash-strapped Indian carrier Jet Airways will discuss ways to cut costs and turn its business around when its board of directors meets on Monday, the airline said Wednesday. Jet had told staff this month it was running out of money, a source had told Reuters, but the airline had denied this and said it was confident of cutting costs and keeping planes flying. Airline profits in the world’s fastest-growing aviation market are taking a hit due to rising fuel prices, a weaker rupee and an airfare war. Jet had this month deferred its first-quarter financial results by a few weeks after its audit committee declined to sign off on them, “pending closure of certain matters”. The results will also be discussed at Monday’s board meeting, Jet said. Reuters reported this week that private equity firm TPG Capital was considering investing in Jet but is not close to finalising a deal, a plan that could help the airline raise money.<br/>
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Authorities say a Spirit Airlines flight from New Jersey to South Florida made an emergency landing at Jacksonville International Airport due to a hydraulic issue. Jacksonville airport spokesman Michael Steward tells First Coast News that no one was injured when Spirit Airlines Flight 521 landed on Wednesday morning. The plane was carrying 225 people from Newark, New Jersey, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Stewart says passengers will be placed on another flight to Fort Lauderdale and that operations are running normally at the Jacksonville airport.<br/>
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-8. The Bangladeshi flag carrier ordered four of the type in 2008. The second aircraft will arrive in the Asian nation later this year and the remaining two in September 2019. Their arrival will mark the conclusion of a complete re-fleeting exercise that has seen the carrier replace several elderly types. In 2014, it was the last remaining national carrier to retire the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. The airline now operates an all-Boeing fleet, with a mix of 737-800NGs, 777-300ERs and now the 787-8. <br/>
The airport authority of Manila, Philippines, will seek at least PHP15m ($280,000) from XiamenAir to cover costs of a runway overrun at the city’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Aug. 16. The amount covers damage to runway lights and the cost of moving the aircraft, the authority’s general manager Eddie Monreal said. “All we spent during the recovery operations will be charged to XiamenAir,” Monreal told ANC television. The cost could exceed the initial estimate of PHP15 million, he said. XiamenAir has promised to pay for the damage to equipment and removal costs. <br/>
Alaska Airlines has eliminated preflight alcoholic beverages for first-class passengers, a standard perk on other carriers. The new policy took effect Aug. 1. The change was made to align the policies of Alaska and merger partner Virgin America, according to an Alaska spokeswoman. Alaska bought Virgin America in 2016 and officially combined the airlines earlier this year, eliminating the Virgin America brand. Virgin America offered preflight alcoholic beverages but Alaska did not, except on flights to Hawaii, where it offered sparkling wine. Travellers who liked the free drinks before takeoff are not thrilled. Rising country music star Brett Young called out Alaska in an Instagram story last week, citing a post on popular frequent flier site FlyerTalk. There is good news for first-class passengers who like to toast before takeoff. Beginning Nov. 1, Alaska will introduce complimentary sparkling wine predeparture in first class on all flights after 10 a.m. Bottled water and orange juice will be the other preflight options.<br/>
Newly-created Zambia Airways aims to build a fleet of a dozen aircraft over its first decade of operations. The airline will be 45%-owned by Ethiopian Airlines, with the balance held by the Zambian Industrial Development Corporation – an entity which aims to promote private shareholding in state-owned businesses. IDC says its strategy includes investing in industries and establishing itself as a partner in joint ventures. It says Zambia Airways will involve an initial investment of $30m. “As we operate the airline we will facilitate the financing necessary to support its growth,” it adds. Under its development plan the carrier will operate 12 aircraft by 2028, when it will be transporting 1.9m passengers. “We have a clear sense of the direction we need to take in order to ensure the fortunes and secure growth of the national airline,” adds IDC. It stresses that it will put in place a “performance-driven” culture to ensure the airline is “commercially viable”.<br/>