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Air France said on Saturday that all its flights to and from Moroccan airports -- Marrakech-Menara, Casablanca Mohammed-V and Rabat-Salé -- were operating normally. “Commercial measures are in place, allowing customers with a booking for travel to or from Morocco in the next few days to modify or postpone their trip free of charge,” the airline said. In conjunction with French and Moroccan authorities, Air France said in a statement that it will study the need to add additional flights or use larger-capacity aircraft on its routes between France and Morocco in the coming days.<br/>

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged European authorities not to waste time in giving the green light to Deutsche Lufthansa AG’s investment in the country’s carrier ITA Airways. Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti raised the issue of clearing Lufthansa’s purchase of a minority stake in ITA with EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, Meloni said during a press conference after the G-20. “The same European Commission that asked us for years to find a solution for ITA’s woe, when we find a solution it blocks it,” Meloni said. “We don’t understand.” Italy is seeking a meeting to discuss the issue with EU’s Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, a spokesperson for Italy’s economy ministry said. Reynders took over Margrethe Vestager’s competition duties after her bid to lead the European Investment Bank became formal. The German airline at the end of May agreed to buy 41% of ITA, targeting an expansion in Europe’s third-largest aviation market while letting Rome rid itself of an asset that’s soaked up billions of euros in state support. The European Commission is in close contact with the parties to discuss the deal before an official notification, Italian news agency Ansa reported, citing unnamed EU sources. Pre-notification contacts are part of the process, the sources told Ansa. Once the parties notify the European authorities, it could take up to 90 days for a ruling, Ansa said.<br/>

Vietnam Airlines is expected to sign an initial agreement to buy about 50 Boeing 737 Max jets in a deal valued at about $7.5b, a person familiar with the talks told Reuters on Sunday. Wording of the impending deal, which confirms a Reuters report from last week, comes as US President Joe Biden visits Hanoi to boost ties with the former foe. Boeing and Vietnam Airlines did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The deal would be worth up to $7b at list prices, and usually companies that buy in bulk get discounts, but the person familiar with the talks did not comment on this. Boeing has a deal with Vietnam Airlines’ rival VietJet for the sale of 200 of its 737 MAX planes. Vietnam was the world’s fifth fastest-growing aviation market in 2022 when it lifted COVID-19 travel restrictions, according to the IATA, which predicts the country will serve 150m air transport passengers by 2035. Boeing 737 Max jets were grounded worldwide for months after two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019. The planes returned to service from the end of 2020. Vietnam Airlines recorded a net loss of 1.3t dong ($53.96m) in Q2 this year, its 14th quarter in the red, its financial statements showed. The carrier has said the losses were due to rising fuel prices and other financial risk factors. Boeing has also been in talks with Vietnamese authorities, together with other U.S. defense companies, for the possible sale of military equipment, including drones and helicopters. Arlington, Virginia based Boeing has six suppliers in Vietnam and is working to increase their capabilities.<br/>