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Star Alliance has reclaimed the title of World’s Best Airline Alliance at the prestigious Skytrax 2022 World Airline Awards. The Alliance’s famed Los Angeles lounge has also retained the award for World’s Best Airline Alliance Lounge for the sixth year running. The awards were received by Star Alliance CEO Jeffrey Goh at a ceremony held at the historic Langham Hotel in London. Commenting on the win, Mr Goh said: “We are elated to learn that millions of flyers around the world have put their trust in Star Alliance yet again and have recognised the exceptional value the alliance offers through their journey. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary this year, the recognition means even more to us.” Mr Goh also took this opportunity to thank the unwavering efforts of the team and continued: “As we navigate through one of the most difficult periods for our industry, it is the grit and hard work of the Star Alliance team and the staff of our member carriers that has enabled seamless travel despite constantly changing environment. I receive this honour on their behalf.” Back in 2005 when the World's Best Airline Alliance category was introduced, Star Alliance was the first alliance to achieve the title, winning it multiple times in the following years. More recently, it held the top position for four consecutive years 2016-2019. Edward Plaisted CEO of Skytrax said: "We congratulate Star Alliance and its member carriers on the award for the World's Best Airline Alliance once again, voted for by passengers across the globe. We also congratulate them on the coveted Best Airline Alliance Lounge recognition for the Los Angeles International Airport, sixth year running. This is a great achievement for the alliance, and a great source of pride for all stakeholders."<br/>

United Airlines today named Jonathan Ireland senior vice president of finance, overseeing the carrier's $40b operating cost structure and $5b capital budget, managing the business planning functions, and leading enterprise financial goal setting. Ireland will also assume responsibility for the airline's procurement function. He most recently served as vice president of financial planning and analysis and will continue to report to Gerry Laderman, United's executive vice president and chief financial officer. "In his time with United, Jonathan has helped United navigate fuel price spikes, economic downturns and, over the past few years, the most challenging financial conditions United has ever faced," said Laderman. "As we move forward with the United Next growth plan, I am confident that his careful stewardship of our capital plans and cost management efforts will continue to power our success." Prior to his promotion, Ireland held increasingly responsible positions in United's finance organization, serving as vice president of financial planning and analysis; vice president and chief financial officer of operations; vice president and chief financial officer for the commercial team; and managing director of investor relations.<br/>

Lufthansa Group carrier Swiss is proposing extrajudicial mediation to resolve an impasse over a new collective agreement for pilots. The talks between Swiss and the Aeropers cockpit representatives have lasted for more than two years. But the negotiations have failed to result in a new collective labour pact. Swiss insists it remains “firmly committed” to its social partnerships and that it is “convinced” a compromise can be found. It says it is proposing extrajudicial mediation in order to develop non-binding recommendations over the next few weeks. “Both parties continue to assert their openness to further negotiations,” the airline points out. “A joint solution of this kind would provide stability for Swiss’s pilots, the company and its customers.”<br/>

SAS has been fined by the Stockholm bourse's disciplinary committee over the way it handled information about a pilot strike on July 4. SAS said on Friday reporters waiting outside the building where talks on the dispute were taking place were told about the breakdown of the negotiations and the strike a few minutes before the company issued an official statement on these developments. The airline said Nasdaq Stockholm, which operates the Stockholm stock exchange, had imposed a fine corresponding to three times SAS's annual fee to the exchange. Nasdaq Stockholm said in a separate statement the fine amounted to 1.96m Swedish crowns ($175,553). "SAS has taken measures to strengthen the procedures aimed at ensuring that insider information does not reach the media before the company has completed the distribution of a regulatory press release," the airline said in its statement. <br/>

Ethiopian Airlines is set to own a majority stake in the new Nigerian airline; Nigerian Air. The Nigerian Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika said on Friday, that a consortium led by Ethiopian Airlines is the preferred bidder for shares in Nigeria Air. A day prior, during the Nigeria Air press conference, the minister disclosed that plans were being finalized to launch the country’s new national carrier. According to the minister, the airline would begin with flights from Lagos to Abuja and back. Ethiopian Airlines will own a 49% stake in the new airline, the Nigerian Sovereign Fund will own 46% and the Nigerian federal government the will have the remaining 5%. Ethiopian Airlines is 100% owned by its government, which implies that majority stake in Nigeria Air will be owned by the Ethiopian Government. "Nigeria Air is a limited liability company that will have no government intervention," Hadi Sirika said. The minister reported that the Federal Government had spent less than the budgeted amount for the project. He also said that Ethiopian Airlines won the bid for the airline as it met the bidding evaluation criteria and the deadline. Nigeria Air will be launched with three Boeing 737-800 in a configuration very suitable for the Nigerian market. It was also revealed that the airline would be owned by a Nigerian private Investor Consortium.<br/>