Airbus Group said a new version of the A380 superjumbo is unlikely to enter the market until the mid-2020s as the double-decker jetliner’s biggest operator, Emirates Airline, struggles with limits on flights from its home market. Emirates has pressed Airbus to develop a re-engined model of the plane, the backbone of its international fleet, promising an eye-popping order as reward. That initiative for the so-called Neo appears to be stalling as the carrier faces capacity constraints at Dubai International, Airbus COO John Leahy said. “They’re not in a position to go ahead, and if they’re not in a position to go ahead with A380neo, we certainly aren’t,” said Leahy, who is also Airbus’s chief salesman. “They would be a key launch customer.” <br/>
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Oman’s first budget airline will be named ‘Salam Air’, the Times of Oman reported Tuesday quoting the state-owned Muscat National Development and Investment Company (ASAAS). ASAAS was awarded the country’s second new air services operator licence in January, with Oman Air holding the other licence. The name ‘Salam’, which means “peace” in Arabic and is a common greeting in the Arabic world, was chosen after a nationwide public poll on Twitter and the ASAAS company website, Times of Oman reported. The Omani newspaper did not report any other details, including when the airline will be launched, the type of aircraft it will use or who has been appointed to manage it. In January, ASAAS said “this venture to establish Oman’s first low-cost carrier is anticipated to fuel economic growth.” <br/>
Bangkok Airways this year plans to spread its wings further in China and Southeast Asia, as well as in the domestic market, as it aims to increase operating revenue by 10-11% from the THB24.9b generated last year. President Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth said Monday that the airline would operate 3 new routes this year: Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son, Bangkok-Danang in Vietnam, and Koh Samui-Guangzhou in China. The airline expects the number of passengers it carries to rise to between 5.7m and 5.8m this year, 10-11% up from 5.1m in 2015. The current load factor is 77%, which is the peak to date for this year's high season, while the load factor for the year to date is 68-70%, Puttipong said. The company plans to add 60-66 pilots this year to the current 328 that it employs. <br/>
AirAsia reported a Q4 2015 net profit of MYR554.2m (US$131m), reversed from a net loss of MYR428.5m in the year-ago period. The airline said the results were due to lower fares that had stimulated the market and led to a boost in overall passenger numbers, as well as a windfall due to the removal of fuel surcharge.” Revenue rose 47% to MYR2.17b compared to Q4 2014, although CASKs rose 4% to MYR0.14 year-on-year. The company attributed the rise in costs mainly to large increases in aircraft operating lease expenses and a 53% rise in MRO costs year-over-year. Nonetheless, the carrier recorded an operating profit of MYR800.69m, up 276% on Q4 2014, and a net operating profit of MYR694.33, up significantly year-on-year. This was partly due to a traffic growth with 6.47m carried. <br/>
Sriwijaya Air has taken delivery of a Boeing 737-800 from lessor AWAS as part of its ongoing expansion plans. Sriwijaya, the third largest carrier in Indonesia behind Lion Air and Garuda Indonesia, took the first of a 22-aircraft, US$2.2b option from Boeing in August last year when 2 737-900ERs were handed over. The carrier said the new aircraft would be used to extend its charter and scheduled services across Indonesia, Malaysia, China and the Philippines from its hub at Soekarno Hatta International, Jakarta. Sriwijaya CE Chandra Lie said the 737s are part of a modernisation plan designed to see the carrier’s all-Boeing fleet grow to match the expanding needs of the region, which targeted 8% growth at the end of 2015. The carrier lists a monthly passenger count of more than 800,000 passengers per month. <br/>
WestJet has started talks with aircraft makers on replacements for its fleet of Boeing 767-300s, with delivery expected by the end of this decade. The airline is talking to Boeing and Airbus on options to replace the 767, an extended range aircraft that will serve Europe starting in May, CE Gregg Saretsky said. WestJet currently has 3 767s and expects delivery of a fourth in April, with all 4 dedicated to non-stop flights to London Gatwick from 5 Canadian cities. The airline is also in the market for more 767s, as it looks to build out its Europe-focused fleet. WestJet offers seasonal flights from Canada to Dublin and Glasgow. Saretsky declined to comment on any specific plans to expand into other markets, noting that the 11-hour range of the 767s would allow for direct flights from Canada to cities in Asia, Eastern Europe and South America. <br/>