Mexico’s Grupo Viva Aerobus SAB signed a preliminary order for 90 Airbus SE A321 jets as the carrier looks to expand its international and domestic operations. The European planemaker said that the so-called memorandum of understanding would bring Viva’s order book to 170 A320 family aircraft. Separately, jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney said that the new aircraft would be powered by its GTF engines. Bloomberg News first reported last month that Airbus was in talks with Viva for a large narrowbody aircraft order. Viva had a fleet of 70 Airbus aircraft at the end March, consisting of a variety of A320 and longer A321 models, according to the carrier’s website. The airline said it has the youngest fleet in Mexico and one of the most up-to-date in North America. Until recently, Viva Aerobus was fourth in Mexico’s domestic market by passengers, carrying 9.1m domestic travelers in 2018. It trailed Volaris, Aeromexico and Interjet. Now the airline has overtaken legacy carrier Grupo Aeromexico SAB in domestic passengers, increasing the need for additional aircraft to drive growth. <br/>
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Israir Group has paid a €500,000 ($544,000) deposit in favour of Chinese firm CITIC Group, as part of the Israeli operator’s negotiations to take over Czech airline Smartwings. CITIC is linked to the Chinese economics ministry and holds just over 49.9% of Smartwings. Israir Group has been negotiating with Smartwings’ shareholders for more than a year as it seeks to acquire the Prague-based carrier. The company says it made the deposit on 3 July, through the Shanghai stock exchange, in line with the parties’ agreements to continue the discussions. But it adds that the “complexity” of conducting talks with all those involved in the sale of Smartwings means the negotiation period will be extended, with the aim of completing talks by 4 August – although this deadline could be pushed further out if necessary. The remaining near-50.1% of Smartwings is held by two investors, Roman Vik and Jiri Simane. Israir Group says a deal remains subject to uncertainty, including the final terms of any agreement, the ability of the company to raise the capital for the transaction, and regulatory approvals.<br/>
An Indian court on Wednesday allowed leasing companies to access aircraft leased to Go First for inspection and maintenance, though they were still unable to repossess them while the airline's operations remain stalled. Lessors of Go First, which was granted bankruptcy protection on May 10, have made several attempts to reclaim planes for missed payments, filing over 50 requests with the watchdog to allow repossession. The lessors argue the airline has no rights over planes as the leases have been terminated, but India's government, and the airline, say the bankruptcy law imposes an asset freeze. The Delhi High court judge said on Wednesday that the leasing companies can "access the airport" and inspect aircraft, carrying out all interim maintenance at least twice a month.<br/>
Jetstar has paused ticket sales between Darwin and Bali for a month amid uncertainty around Defence runway works at Darwin Airport. The low-cost carrier confirmed in a statement that it has stopped selling direct flights between Darwin and Denpasar – which operate five times per week – from 9 October to 8 November, as Defence, which owns Darwin Airport, may have plans to upgrade the runway during this time. “While the dates and times of the runway works have not yet been confirmed, we have proactively stopped selling flights during this period to limit the number of customers potentially affected. If the works do not go ahead on these dates, we will put the flights back on sale,” the airline said, adding that it has not yet cancelled already-booked flights. “Once the works are confirmed, we will contact customers already booked to fly to discuss their options including indirect flights via another port, a travel credit or a refund to their original form of payment. We thank customers for their understanding and patience as we wait for confirmation about the timing of the runway works.” Darwin and Toowoomba Wellcamp are the only major Australian airports to be owned by the Department of Defence, though Newcastle Airport’s runway is co-located with RAAF Base Williamtown.<br/>