A Singapore Airlines to Milan caught fire early on Monday after returning to Singapore's Changi airport following an engine oil warning message but all passengers were safe, the airline and airport officials said. The aircraft's right engine caught fire after the aircraft, a Boeing 777-300ER, touched down at Changi airport at around 06:50 local time. Emergency services put out the fire and there were no injuries to the 222 passengers and 19 crew on board, an SIA statement said. "Passengers disembarked through stairs and were transported to the terminal building by bus. Passengers will be transferred to another aircraft which is expected to depart for Milan later today," the statement said. The SIA flight, SQ368, departed at 02:05, but about two hours into the flight the pilot announced there was an engine problem and the flight would return to Singapore, Channel News Asia reported.<br/>
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United Continental has reached a deal for the first labour contract in its history that covers all flight attendants at the company, the union said Friday, a breakthrough after workers' protests and years of talks. The deal with union negotiators requires the approval of leaders of United's unit of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA before it formally becomes a "tentative agreement." It will then go to more than 20,000 in-flight crew members for a final vote. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ratification would mark a victory for new CEO Oscar Munoz, who has sought new contracts and harmony with workers. A contract also would be an important step toward integrating United and Continental and reducing flight cancellations.<br/>
SIA has ruled out buying a majority stake in Virgin Australia, saying its interests in the market are “best served through an independent Virgin Australia”. The statement Friday comes after speculation that SIA was interested in acquiring Virgin Australia, following news that Air New Zealand plans to sell its 25.9% stake in the Australian airline. “SIA wishes to put on record that it has not contemplated taking a majority stake in Virgin Australia. SIA’s interests in the Australian market - as well as in Virgin Australia itself - are best served through an independent Virgin Australia,” SIA spokesperson Nicholas Ionides said. The Singapore carrier currently has a 20.09% stake in Virgin Australia, and has committed to supporting the Australian airline’s recently announced entitlement offer. This could increase SIA’s shareholding to a maximum of 25.9%, should other Virgin Australia shareholders not take up their entitlements.<br/>
Two of the latest model Airbus 350 aircraft will be delivered to Thai Airways International in August and September. The two A350 XWBs are among 12 aircraft ordered by the Thai flag carrier with the rest being delivered next year. The two aircraft, designed to operate long-haul flights, will be used to serve flights between Bangkok and Melbourne, Australia. A350 XWB (Xtra-Wide-Body) is the latest model of the wide-body aircraft family and comes with cutting-edge technology. <br/>