Transat AT has struck a new support agreement for the Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan (GTF) engines that power its narrowbody Airbus aircraft. The parent of Canadian leisure carrier Air Transat said on 17 April that the support package will cover direct costs related to grounded A320neo-family jets “and those anticipated to be grounded” this year and in 2026. Montreal-based Transat says the deal is similar in structure to its previous compensation agreement with P&W covering 2023 and 2024, though it does not specify the new deal’s value. Last year, Transat disclosed that it had secured C$34m ($25m) in compensation from P&W through its previous agreement. Under the new structure, Transat is receiving credits that can be applied to P&W’s “products and services”, including the purchase of two spare GTF engines. The carrier is exploring opportunities to “monetise” the spare GTFs through sale-leaseback deals “and other financial transactions”. P&W is amidst a massively disruptive, years-long recall of GTF engines for potential manufacturing defects, which has grounded hundreds of Airbus A320neos, A220s and Embraer E-Jet E2s worldwide.<br/>
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GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes has extended the deadline for submission of binding bids to participate in the company’s US$1.9b exit debt financing due to the “substantial disruptions to capital markets globally as a result of President Trump’s announced tariffs.” The deadline was postponed from April 19 to May 15, a decision taken “to allow time for the capital markets to absorb the implications of the Trump tariffs,” GOL said. The financing will be used to repay existing obligations, cover transaction costs, and provide working capital after GOL emerges from bankruptcy, which is expected to take place later this year. Investment advisers Castlelake and Elliott Investment Management represent the potential clients committing the funds to GOL, while Seabury Securities acts as the carrier's investment bank.<br/>
Aer Lingus is considering flying to Cancún from Dublin in what would be its first Ireland-Mexico service as the carrier seeks to boost its transatlantic network. The airline this month began a new service from the capital to Nashville, Tennessee, and is adding further European destinations this year. It is now understood it is exploring the possibility of direct flights to Mexico, with the holiday resort of Cancún on the country’s east coast its likely choice of destination. The airline did not comment on Friday, but the North American country is said to be high on its list of likely new destinations. Cancún, on Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula on its Caribbean coast, is one the country’s best-known resorts. The federal government planned and purpose-built the city for tourism. Aer Lingus is in the process of taking delivery of new aircraft from its parent, International Airlines Group (IAG), and continues to seek new route opportunities. Such a service would be the first direct flight to Mexico launched by an Irish carrier. Cancún is popular with Irish holidaymakers seeking to step outside traditional sunspots in Europe or the United States, according to travel industry sources. However, there are no direct flights to Mexico from Ireland, meaning anyone travelling to any destination there has to connect, mostly via flights to hubs in the US, some of which Aer Lingus serves.<br/>
The Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP), in partnership with the Al Madinah Region Development Authority (MDA), has announced that it has entered into an agreement with Transavia, a French low-cost airline partly owned by Air France, for the launch of its operations into Saudi Arabia. As per the deal, Transavia will start flights from Paris-Orly, Lyon, Marseille, and Toulouse to Madinah beginning this October. This expansion complements the successful launch last year of routes connecting Paris-Orly and Lyon with Jeddah, enhancing air connectivity and reflecting the increasing growth in travel demand between the two countries. The Air Connectivity Program is aimed at enhancing tourism growth in Saudi Arabia by developing existing air routes and creating new destinations, thereby contributing to connecting the kingdom with the world. It also underscores KSA's position as a major destination and supports the tourism goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 by increasing the number of tourists arriving into the country. CEO of the Air Connectivity Program Majid Khan described the development of air connectivity between France and Saudi Arabia as a fundamental pillar of the National Tourism Strategy. <br/>
Air Mauritius incurred losses of MUR1.22b Mauritian rupees (US$27m) resulting from aircraft sales between 2017 and 2021, according to the Indian Ocean island's Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who declared that funds "were stolen" from the airline and has vowed to investigate and prosecute those responsible. The prime minister was responding in the National Assembly on April 15 to a question from member of parliament Manoj Seeburn regarding losses from aircraft sales and capital injected into the airline in the decade between December 2014 and December 2024. As reported by the Mauritian French-language daily L'Express, Ramgoolam disclosed that Air Mauritius had recorded a profit of MUR359.2m (US$8m) in 2013-2014 but suffered cumulative losses of MUR7.72b (US$171m) between 2015 and 2024. Story has details.<br/>
A landmark passenger flight from Syria arrived in the UAE on Sunday, heralding the long-awaited resumption of direct air travel between the countries. The Airbus A320-212 from Syria's national airline Syrian Air left the capital city of Damascus just after 7am, according to online flight tracker, FlightRadar 24. Dubai Airports reported the plane landed in Dubai at 12.39pm. It was announced last week that Syrian Air would resume direct flights to Dubai and Sharjah from Sunday. The airline said it was working “to add more flights as soon as possible, once we receive the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities”. The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority announced the resumption of flights between the Emirates and Syria on April 14. It came after Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara visited the UAE for the first time since taking office last Sunday, during which he held high-level talks with President Sheikh Mohamed. Al Shara, who led the Hayat Tahrir Al Sham rebel group that ousted President Bashar Al Assad, is looking to improve relations with Arab neighbours and the Gulf states following a 13-year civil war in Syria. Sheikh Mohamed told of the need to confront “the challenges of the transitional phase and rebuild Syria in a way that meets the aspirations of its people for a future of security, stability and prosperity”, state news agency Wam reported. The security and stability of Syria are important to the entire Middle East, Sheikh Mohamed said, stressing that the UAE would “spare no effort in providing all possible support to Syria”.<br/>
Riyadh Air has unveiled its first cabin interior designs before starting commercial flights later this year, as it seeks to stand out in a market where Gulf airlines are vying to offer premium seats and luxury experiences. The Saudi Arabian start-up will have a four-class configuration on its Boeing 787-9 planes featuring business elite, business, premium economy and economy cabins, it said. The 787 Dreamliner, with capacity for 290 passengers, will feature four seats in business elite, 24 in business, 39 in premium economy and 223 economy-class seats. The premium-economy seats from Recaro are the same model that Emirates has installed, which "most people would say, and I certainly will acknowledge, is the best premium economy out there", Tony Douglas, CE of Riyadh Air, told The National. The Saudi airline is hoping to outdo that with its choice of materials and design. Riyadh Air's "premium-economy cabin is probably better than most business-class cabins in many European and North American carriers", he said. "Through the art of design, we tried to bring back that glamorous, elevated proposition: if I were to put a persona to this, I wanted it to be the Audrey Hepburn of the sky, that timeless, glamorous cache of how you present elegance." The airline worked with London-based industrial studio PriestmanGoode on the design, a process that took 18 months to "elevate" passengers' flying experience with a polished look of glamour, refinement and grace, Mr Douglas said, pointing to highlighting the golden age of aviation with Pan Am flights in the 1960s.<br/>
Two Chinese-made COMAC aircraft, branded as C909, started flying routes in Vietnam on Saturday, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), the Chinese planemaker said. The planes were leased by China's Chengdu Airlines to Vietnamese budget airline VietJet, and the route opening marks the start of COMAC's commercial operation in Vietnam, according it said in a statement. The airline operates flights between the capital Hanoi and Con Dao Island off southern Vietnam, as well as between business hub Ho Chi Minh City and Con Dao.<br/>
Starlux Airlines is rapidly expanding its global network with new aircraft deliveries and route developments. The carrier’s ambitious growth plan includes completing its first phase of 48 passenger aircraft by 2027 and adding 10 cargo aircraft by 2029. Chief Strategy Officer Liu Yunfu revealed plans with ET Today to increase Southeast Asian connectivity, launch Bali service next year, and add Ontario International Airport (ONT) to North American destinations in June. New US routes are expected to be announced by Q1 2025, with European service still on track for 2026. Starlux Airlines is implementing a significant fleet expansion plan that will position it as a major player in global aviation. According to Liu Yunfu, the airline has already received all 10 of its Airbus A350-900 aircraft. While three A350-1000s were originally scheduled for delivery this year, supply chain issues have resulted in delays, with only one arriving in 2024, five in 2025, and the final two in 2027. The carrier currently operates five A330s with two more scheduled for delivery this year and four additional deliveries planned. Its narrow-body fleet consists of 13 A321s with six more on order, bringing the total passenger fleet to 48 aircraft by 2027.<br/>
Low-cost airline operator Thai AirAsia X aims to increase its registered capital by 1b baht (US$0.030b) as part of its plan to exit rehabilitation later this year. The airline entered a court-approved rehabilitation process on August 31, 2023, which has now been ongoing for one year and seven months. Tassapon Bijleveld, executive chairman of Asia Aviation and CEO of Thai AirAsia X, confirmed that the airline has already repaid 60 - 70% of its 4.27b baht (US$0.13b) debt without default. To complete the rehabilitation process by the end of this year, the airline plans to raise its registered capital by 1b (US$0.15b) baht. However, Tassapon noted that the company would monitor the situation during the first and second quarters before proceeding with the capital increase. He expressed confidence in attracting new investors, pointing out that the company had previously offered shares worth a total of 5b baht to new partners following the Covid-19 pandemic. Tassapon added that Thai AirAsia X has been profitable since last year, posting a net profit of 400m (US$12m) baht. However, he acknowledged that the profit margin remains relatively low, due in part to the high maintenance costs associated with its fleet of Airbus A330 aircraft, which must be serviced in Indonesia and the Philippines.<br/>