Ryanair, the biggest foreign carrier at Brussels Zaventem airport where 11 people were killed by terrorist bombs Tuesday, is still operating to the Belgian capital thanks to its choice of a far-flung airfield as a gateway to the area almost 2 decades ago. Ryanair’s base at Charleroi, whose official name of Brussels South has been derided because of the airport’s location 35 miles or an hour’s bus ride from the city, is still open and has become a focus for flights scheduled for Zaventem, which will remain closed until Saturday at least. The carrier is maintaining services even as Brussels Airlines, the top operator at Zaventem, struggles to access enough capacity to handle its 250 take-offs and landings a day. A Spokeswoman said the company is looking at the possibility of basing planes at 2 foreign airports. <br/>
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Juneyao Airlines will join a global alliance by year-end in an effort to facilitate rapid international expansion, according to chairman Wang Junjin. Wang said that Juneyao has contacted alliances and has entered into discussions, but made it clear it won’t join SkyTeam, which China Eastern joined in 2011. It is widely speculated the carrier may join Star Alliance. Air China joined Star in 2007. If Juneyao also joins, Star Alliance would boost its market shares to 23% from 11% in Shanghai (Pudong) Airport and increase its market shares to 20% from 11% in Shang (Hongqiao) Airport. SkyTeam’s market share is 45%. Juneyao is also expected to expand its fleet; Wang noted it is scheduled to take delivery of 10 Airbus A320 family aircraft this year to open more new routes to Thailand and other neighbouring countries. <br/>
Virgin Australia says it has no reason to believe confidentiality in relation to its A$425m shareholder loan facility was breached before the deal was announced Monday, even though its share price had plunged 12.5% Friday. In response to a query from the Australian Securities Exchange, Virgin said the 12-month debt facility was not finalised until 11.50pm Sunday and was announced to the market as soon as possible. "Until this time the terms of the loan facility, including required third-party consents, were substantially incomplete and outside the entity's control," Virgin said. The Australian Financial Review's Due Diligence column, which went to print before the loan deal was finalised Sunday, raised the prospect Monday that the airline was seeking a shareholder-backed recapitalisation. <br/>
Virgin Atlantic said its annual profit almost doubled in 2015, and was set to grow significantly in 2016 as its fuel hedges unwind, enabling it to fully benefit from the lower oil price. The airline posted annual pre-tax profit of GBP22.5m in 2015, compared to the GBP12.4m it made in 2014. For this year, Virgin Atlantic said profits would grow significantly as fuel hedges unwind, producing noticeable savings. While the airline was helped by a 34% fall in the crude price last year, that benefit was limited by hedging losses which amounted to GBP198m. Virgin also said it was helped by the growth of its joint venture partnership with Delta on transatlantic services. <br/>
Virgin America is reaching out to potential buyers about a sale of part or all of the company, people with knowledge of the matter said. The carrier is working with a financial adviser after receiving takeover interest, the people said. No decision has been made, and Virgin America might choose not to pursue a sale, they said. A representative for Virgin America said the company doesn't comment on speculation concerning mergers or acquisitions. Virgin America last month reported 2015 adjusted net income of US$201.5m, the most in the company's history. The airline received 5 new Airbus A320 aircraft last year, with plans for 5 more this year, after slowing growth in 2012 to focus on long-term survival. It expects to grow capacity by 10% a year in 2017 and 2018. <br/>