Norwegian Air Shuttle gained the backing of Norway’s richest man, providing some stability to the struggling discount carrier as it searches for a new suitor following IAG’s decision to abandon its eight-month pursuit. The shares fell the most on record after Norwegian said it’s raising US$353m in a rights issue underwritten by investors including shipping magnate John Fredriksen to avoid breaching financial covenants. CE Bjorn Kjos indicated Norwegian is still open to a potential buyout. Asked about Lufthansa, which held talks with Norwegian last year, and Ryanair, which has denied speculation of its interest, Kjos declined to discuss specifics. “I can’t say who, I can only say that more than one interested party has contacted us,” he said. <br/>
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Airbus has confirmed it is holding talks with key A380 customer Emirates in relation to its contract for the type, amid reports it is in discussions over the carrier switching some of its orders for the type to the smaller A350. Emirates, the largest operator of the ultra-large aircraft, firmed a follow-on order for 20 of the type in Feb 2018. This covers the first part of a fresh commitment for 36 A380s, tentatively struck in January of that year. The commitment was crucial to the continued production of the A380. Newswire reports citing people familiar with the matter say talks are being held to explore Emirates switching some of these orders to the A350. Earlier this month Airbus removed orders for 10 A380s, which had previously been allocated to an undisclosed customer. <br/>
A class of flight attendants in a case involving alleged violations of California’s wage and hour laws was awarded US$77m in damages. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2015, alleged that Virgin did not pay its flight attendants for all time spent before, after, and between flights, for completing written reports, for time spent training and for undergoing required drug testing. Additionally, it alleged that Virgin did not allow the class of flight attendants to take meal or rest breaks, and that the airline failed to pay overtime and minimum wages. This decision, which likely will be appealed, highlights for employers the importance of compliance with not only federal wage and hour laws, but the various state wage and hour laws in which employers operate. <br/>
AirAsia and AirAsia X have increased their claim against Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB) by around MYR80m (US$19.5m), as it presses for mediation with the airport operator. The carrier says that the "main part" of the MYR480m in claims comes from a loss of customers in the last 4 years, owing to disruptions and poor condition of the KLIA2 terminal at Kuala Lumpur International. The two carriers had previously indicated that they would make a claim for MYR400m against the operator for the disruptions, which include ruptures to underground fuel lines at the terminal, and closures of KLIA's runway 3. AirAsia and AirAsia X are seeking mediation on the matter through provisions in the Malaysia Aviation Commission Act, which also allows for the commission to arbitrate the dispute if the mediation fails. <br/>