Air Canada, Canada’s largest carrier, had the worst on-time performance among large airlines in North America in 2023, according to a report from Cirium, the aviation analytics company. The country’s flag-carrying airline landed 63% of its 276,451 flights on time last year, placing it last among the continent’s 10 largest airlines. That means roughly 140,000 planes arrived at the gate more than 15 minutes after scheduled arrival. Delta Air Lines led the list for the most on-time airline in North America with its over 1.6 million flights arriving on time 85% of the time. Alaska Airlines was second at 82% of its 404,925 flights arriving on time. Canada’s other major airline, WestJet, placed seventh in North America with a score of 69% for 182,296 flights. In the past, Air Canada has pointed to a shortage of air traffic controllers, bad weather and a network running at full tilt amid high demand, which can mean longer recovery times after a disruption. CEO Michael Rousseau has acknowledged Air Canada’s relatively low ranking, including after a wave of flight delays in June and July. Despite more staff and revamped technology, the carrier’s operations failed to meet "expected levels," he told analysts on a conference call in August.<br/>
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Croatia Airlines has signed a new five-year handling agreement at Zagreb Airport with Turkey’s Havas. Following long negotiations, which began back in July 2023, the two sides agreed to extend their business cooperation. Havas will handle more than 10.000 yearly Croatia Airlines flights, with a full range of passenger and operational services, including passenger and baggage handling, ramp, aircraft, load control and communication, de-icing, flight operations, transportation, cargo and cargo and mail services. Havas provides ground handling services to more than 200 airlines at various airports in Turkey and abroad. It is Zagreb Airport’s primary handling agent.<br/>
EgyptAir carried 2.8m passengers in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2023/2024, a 6% increase over 2.6m in the same quarter of the previous FY, according to press remarks by the Minister of Civil Aviation Mohamed Abbas Helmy on Tuesday. Financial performance indicators also improved during the 1Q of FY2023/2024 compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, with the company's fleet increasing from 71 to 81 aircraft, Hemy added. The number of destinations served by the airline also increased from 66 to 73. Total flights rose from over 9,500 to more than 10,000, a 6% increase. This contributed to the growth in available seat capacity on the aircraft from 3.4m to 3.7m, an 8% increase. According to Helmy, Egypt's current aviation plan aims to expand the national airline's fleet by acquiring 28 new aircraft, including 18 Boeing B737-8 MAXs and 10 Airbus A350s. The minister explained that the airline is also refurbishing seating in 19 aircraft, replacing and upgrading ground equipment, renovating business class lounges at Cairo International Airport, and contracting for the development of its website and mobile application.<br/>
Thai Airways International is to lease two Airbus A330-300s from Irish lessor CDB Aviation. The A330s will enter the fleet in September and October this year, says the lessor, a wholly-owned unit of CDB Leasing.<br/>The aircraft will likely be deployed on intra-Asian routes in time for the peak travel period and “rising travel demand in many regions”, says CDB Aviation chief Jie Chen. He also notes “heightened demand” from airlines looking to lease aircraft, driven by a need to meet rising passenger volumes. Thai was a prolific A330 operator, with more than 20 examples in its fleet. A pandemic-led restructuring saw the fleet drastically cut down, and Thai now operates just three A330-300s. The two leased jets are the latest in a series of second-hand aircraft to be added to Thai’s fleet. The Star Alliance carrier recently inducted an A350, which it deployed on flights to Mainland China. It is also on track to take delivery of leased A321neos in 2025, which will replace its existing narrowbody fleet of A320ceos. According to Cirium fleets data, Thai has an in-service fleet of 61 jets.<br/>