Relatives of the 298 people who died when Flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine in 2014 hope that judges issuing a verdict in a Dutch murder trial on Thursday will highlight what they see as Russia's overarching role in the incident. Prosecutors have demanded life sentences for three Russians and one Ukrainian accused of suppling the missile system that Russian-backed separatists used to fire a rocket at the Malaysia Airlines passenger jet traveling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur. Moscow has denied any wrongdoing and repeatedly dismissed the findings of investigators that the missile launcher used in the attack came from a Russian military base in Kursk and that Russia was backing rebels in Ukraine fighting government forces. The verdict has gained greater significance since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, which has seen the Netherlands supply weapons to Kyiv, further straining already difficult diplomatic relations. It could be the first time a court rules on Russia's role in fighting in Ukraine since its invasion of Crimea in 2014. If it does implicate Russia, that could impact other cases, including one in the United Nation's top court, the International Court of Justice, a legal expert said. Kyiv launched a case accusing Moscow of financing terrorism in 2017 over its alleged support for separatist groups in Ukraine. None of the four suspects, who prosecutors say arranged for the missile launcher to be transported to eastern Ukraine, are in custody and only one is participating in the proceedings.<br/>
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Malaysia Airlines is considering ordering 25 single-aisle jets, probably Boeing 737 Max on top of an existing firm order for 25 of those planes, according to CEO Izham Ismail. “Our future network requires 50 narrowbody aeroplanes, so we have still got space for 25,” Izham said on the sidelines of an annual meeting of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines in Bangkok. “We have to make some decision by next year.” Deliveries from the existing Max order are due to begin in 2024. An order for 25 Max costs about $1.2b, based on prices compiled by aircraft appraiser Avitas Inc. “We continue to work with our customers to meet their fleet requirements,” a Boeing spokesperson said. “We do not disclose ongoing customer discussions.” Malaysia Airlines’ passenger traffic is back to 76% of pre-Covid levels, with a full recovery domestically, and should reach 82% by year-end, Izham said. China accounted for 17% of capacity before the pandemic and the country may start reopening by the second quarter next year, Izham said. “We don’t have enough aeroplanes,” he said. The airline is focusing on shifting passenger capacity from domestic to international markets amid concerns of overcapacity among carriers in Malaysia, the CEO said. Other challenges include high fuel prices, rising interest rates and a strong dollar in 2023.<br/>
Cathay Pacific Airways closed its last overseas outpost, bringing some US-based pilots back to Hong Kong as the airline trims expenses after being hit hard by the pandemic. Cathay’s US pilot bases shut on Oct. 31 and some crew will relocate to Hong Kong in the coming weeks, according to an internal memo seen by Bloomberg News. More than 60 US-based employees are leaving the airline, the memo said. “There are no more overseas pilots bases as we continue to review all areas of our business to ensure we have a focused, efficient and competitive business as we continue to build back connectivity at the Hong Kong hub,” Cathay said in an emailed statement. “A number” of pilots have relocated to Hong Kong, it said. The airline had pilot centers in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Anchorage, a major cargo hub. It already closed bases in the UK, Canada, Germany, Australia and New Zealand after Covid restrictions shredded flying schedules. While Hong Kong has opened its borders to quarantine-free travel again, Cathay expects it will take at least two more years to fully recover. The airline flew just 16% of pre-pandemic passenger capacity in September, with testing still required on entry into Hong Kong and Cathay’s most significant market -- mainland China -- demanding quarantine on entry, keeping a lid on demand. <br/>