Condor’s new Polish owner intends to replace the 16 ageing Boeing 767s operated by the airline with a larger fleet of long-haul aircraft. PGL CE Rafal Milczarski said that the Condor fleet renewal will begin by 2024 and that the German leisure carrier would require “at least” 20 aircraft for its long-haul operation. LOT previously operated 767s but has replaced them with 787s. However, Milczarski suggests that PGL may look beyond the 787 for Condor and, indeed, for growth of LOT’s fleet. LOT will need “at least” 10 additional long-haul aircraft over the coming years, and PGL will talk to both Boeing and Airbus in deciding on a “perfect fleet mix” for the group, says Milczarski. He declares himself “thrilled” by the presence of Airbus A320-family fleet jets in the Condor fleet. <br/>
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Four occupants of an Avianca Airbus A319 have been hospitalised after an apparent turbulence incident and a diversion to Panama City. The aircraft had been operating the AV693 service from San Jose to Bogota Jan 23, says the carrier. Diversion of the flight, which had been operating at 35,000ft, occurred as it reached the Panama-Colombia border. Avianca says the diversion followed the crew’s receiving an “alert” from the aircraft’s systems, without elaborating on the nature of the alarm. It was transporting 108 passengers and 5 crew members but states that the aircraft experienced “abrupt movement”, prompting medical referrals for some of those on board when it arrived in Panama. Avianca says that, as a result of initial reviews, 3 crew members and a passenger were taken to hospital for more detailed examination. <br/>
As the govt is set to invite preliminary bids from potential investors for selling 100% stake in Air India Monday, all eyes are on the portion of airline debt to be taken off its books and qualification for suitors. Prospective buyers would have to respond to the EoI by March 17, 2020. Industry sources said that some of the potential bidders could be Tata Group, Hindujas, IndiGo, SpiceJet and a few private equity firms. Some of the foreign airlines could tie-up with local players to place their joint bids. While overall economic environment remains subdued, industry analysts said that there would be significant investor interest for Air India given its wide domestic and international network, traffic rights, slots at key foreign airports such as London and Dubai, technical manpower and large fleet. <br/>
Finance minister Tito Mboweni has reportedly yielded to the African National Congress’s refusal to liquidate South African Airways at the party's national executive committee meeting. According to the City Press, Mboweni proposed the embattled airline be liquidated and start a new one. The meeting opted for a restructuring process instead which could reportedly cost govt at least ZAR10b. The embattled company is fighting for its survival after it entered a form of bankruptcy protection last month and cancelled some flights due to cash shortages. The paper is reporting that the ANC's directive to treasury is to restructure the financially strapped airline and that could cost a further ZAR8b to cover expenses related to the restructuring. <br/>