This Week

Air Astana and China Southern sign first Kazakhstan–China airline JV

Air Astana (AIRA) signed a joint venture with China Southern Airlines covering coordinated schedules, wider codeshare and joint marketing, the first airline JV between Kazakhstan and China. It builds on an existing codeshare in a market where weekly flights are up 52% year on year, positioning Air Astana as a Europe–Asia transit gateway as Kazakhstan targets 30 Chinese destinations.

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Harith's ~R7bn FlySafair takeover cleared by Competition Tribunal

South Africa's Competition Tribunal approved, with conditions, Harith Aviation's 100% acquisition of FlySafair, the country's largest domestic airline. Conditions bar common directors between FlySafair and Harith-held Lanseria airport, keep Harith out of Lanseria pricing, slot and apron decisions, and prohibit merger-related retrenchments for three years. Closing is expected in late 2026, subject to remaining approvals; FlySafair keeps its management and low-cost model.

Deal valued around R7bn. Harith previously failed to buy SAA via the Takatso consortium.

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Republic Airways 3Q 2026: revenue $553.5m, +34%; guidance raised

Republic Airways posted 3Q 2026 revenue of $553.5m (+34%, first full comparison including Mesa), operating margin 11.4% and net income of $34.6m ($0.75/share; $0.85 adjusted). Cash stood at $290.1m against $1.2bn of debt and leases. Full-year guidance was raised, and American Airlines agreed to place five previously unassigned aircraft into service from December 2026.

Controllable completion factor 99.96%; Mesa integration and FAA operational harmonisation on track.

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Turkish Technic becomes licensed repair centre for Acron 2100-series FDR/CVR

Turkish Technic and Acron Aviation agreed a five-year Licensed Repair Centre Agreement covering Acron's 2100 Series flight data and cockpit voice recorders, bringing repair of these safety-critical units in-house at Turkish Technic and shortening turnaround times for operators.

Implementation details not disclosed.

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Joramco extends A300 C-check deal with MNG Airlines through 2027

Amman-based Joramco, the engineering arm of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, extended its agreement with MNG Airlines and subsidiary SOLINAIR to perform C-checks on their A300 freighter fleet throughout 2027, underscoring continued demand for heavy maintenance on legacy widebody freighters.

Commercial terms not disclosed.

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WestJet to exit Santa Ana, ending Calgary–Orange County in March 2027

WestJet will end its 4x weekly Calgary–Santa Ana (SNA) service in late March 2027, withdrawing from the Orange County airport entirely.

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AerCap leases two 777-300ERSF freighters to Turkish Airlines

AerCap (AER) signed leases with Turkish Airlines (THYAO) for two Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters, to be converted at Etihad Engineering in Abu Dhabi.

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MTU's nine-month operating profit tops €1bn

MTU Aero Engines (MTX) passed €1bn of nine-month adjusted operating profit for the first time, up 5% to €1.04bn, on strong commercial MRO and military growth.

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IndiGo's Q2 loss narrows to ₹1,879 crore as fuel jumps 67%

IndiGo (INDIGO) narrowed its quarterly net loss to ₹1,879 crore, against ₹2,582 crore a year earlier, as total income rose 24% to ₹24,312 crore. Fuel costs rose 67%, and CEO Willie Walsh called the fuel surge unprecedented.

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Alaska/Hawaiian add Seattle–Osaka and Seattle–Papeete; Anchorage–Tokyo Narita

Announced year-round nonstop Seattle–Osaka (4x weekly from 14 May 2027) and Seattle–Papeete (3x weekly from 11 Jun 2027), operated by Hawaiian Airlines with A330s. Alaska also plans daily Anchorage–Tokyo Narita with 737 MAX 8s from May 2027.

8th and 9th long-haul routes from Seattle; only nonstops on both. Subject to government approval.

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Eastar Jet launches Incheon–Xiamen; Busan–Xiamen follows

Launched four-weekly Incheon–Xiamen service on 28 Oct, with Busan–Xiamen starting 29 Oct.

First and only Korean airline on Busan–Xiamen; Cheongju–Xiamen planned by year-end.

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Hainan Airlines plans 40 A320neo-family order worth up to $5.36bn

Hainan Airlines Holding plans to buy 40 A320neo-series aircraft from Airbus for a total not exceeding USD 5.36 billion, with deliveries 2028–2032, funded from internal resources, bank loans and other financing.

Disclosed in a Shanghai exchange filing alongside board changes (two directors replaced) and a CNY 1.14bn increase to 2026 connected transactions.

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Norwegian posts NOK 2.7bn Q3 operating profit

Norwegian Air Shuttle (NAS) reported a Q3 operating result of NOK 2,728m.

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Uganda Airlines launches Entebbe–Accra

Launched Entebbe–Accra on 27 Oct, four weekly flights with 737-800s.

18th destination; targeting 24 destinations. Round-trip fares from US$550.

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Atlantic Airways orders two more A320neos

Signed a firm order with Airbus for two A320neos.

Fleet is 2 A320ceo plus 2 A320neo; moving to an all-A320neo fleet.

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Air Canada reveals firm order for eight A350-1000s

Air Canada (AC) confirmed it is behind a firm order for eight Airbus (AIR) A350-1000s, previously listed as undisclosed since November 2025.

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Itochu takes a stake in IAG Engine Tech

Iberia agreed for Itochu (8001) to take a minority stake in IAG Engine Tech, International Airlines Group's (IAG) new engine MRO business, adding investment and international reach.

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