Lufthansa is facing an in-depth investigation by the European Commission over its E6b recapitalisation during the Covid-19 pandemic, following court annulment of the original approval. The state aid measure comprised a E5.7b silent participation, made up of two financial instruments, plus a E306m equity component. Although the Commission found the measure compatible with state-aid rules in June 2020, the European Union’s General Court ruled last year that the recapitalisation did not meet a number of conditions laid out in a temporary framework drawn up to support economies affected by the pandemic. This ruling, which followed a complaint by budget carrier Ryanair, is still subject to appeal. But the Commission nevertheless says it will carry out a “more in-depth” examination of the recapitalisation as a result of the judgement. It will concentrate on such aspects as Lufthansa’s eligibility for the aid – last year’s ruling stated that the Commission did not assess whether Lufthansa could have raised necessary financing on the markets. The investigation will also look at market power at Lufthansa Group airports other than its Frankfurt and Munich hubs, as well as financial details and the need for a mechanism to incentivise exit of the government from the company’s capital. Lufthansa had to comply with several commitments as a condition of receiving the aid, including restrictions on management and shareholder payments, and divestment of slots at its hubs.<br/>
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Police in Iran shut down the Turkish Airlines office in the capital of Tehran, Iranian media reported Tuesday, after female employees there apparently refused to wear the mandatory headscarf, or hijab, in an act of defiance of the country’s law. The semi-official Tasnim news agency said police officers went to the Turkish Airlines office in Tehran on Monday to issue what is called a first warning over the “non-observance of hijab” by the company's employees. However, the employees — who are Iranian nationals — reportedly “made trouble for the police officers,” prompting the closure. The Tasnim report said police subsequently sealed the office over the employees’ behavior. According to Tasnim, the Turkish Airlines office will be allowed to reopen on Wednesday and resume business as usual, something that the police did not confirm. The report further said that police would not seal any business due to the non-observance of hijab but issue first warnings. There was no immediate comment from the Turkish Airlines over the incident in Tehran. An open defiance of the headscarf law erupted into mass protests across Iran following the September 2022 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after her arrest by the country’s morality police. While those demonstrations appear largely to have cooled, the choice by some Iranian women to remain uncovered in the street poses a new challenge to the country’s theocracy.<br/>
Turkish Airlines has signed a lease agreement with lessor AerCap for 10 new Airbus A321neos. Airline chairman Ahmet Bolat says: “This addition aligns with our strategy to continue offering our passengers a modern and efficient travel experience, while supporting our ongoing expansion plans for new routes and increasing the frequency of existing ones.” The airline has an in-service fleet of 26 Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-powered A321neos, according to Cirium fleets data, with another 18 in storage. Turkish has orders for over 190 A321neos as well. Says AerCap chief Aengus Kelly: “We are very pleased to support Turkish Airlines with the lease of these ten new A321neo aircraft, helping them to continue to grow their extensive route network while modernising their narrowbody fleet for greater operational efficiency.” The Dublin-based lessor currently has over 30 aircraft on lease with Turkish Airlines, the bulk of them Boeing 737 Max 8s. <br/>
EgyptAir has launched its first flights from Cairo International Airport to Zurich Airport in Switzerland, as part of its expansion operations to cover new markets. The national carrier plans to operate three weekly flights on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays. The inaugural flight was celebrated with passengers receiving commemorative gifts and enjoying a warm reception for this new route.<br/>