West Asia/Africa

ATW Daily News

Friday September 5, 2008

Airbus and Syrian Arab Airlines have had "exploratory discussions" about a potential order for more than 50 aircraft valued at as much as $35 billion, a French official told the Financial Times. There had been recent speculation that French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit this week to Damascus for talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would include announcement of a blockbuster aircraft order. But Airbus has denied the deal, which would be complicated by the fact that its aircraft contain parts manufactured by companies in the US, which imposed sanctions on sales to Syria in 2004. The FT quoted a "senior French official" as saying that discussions have taken place and that "the position of the US" is a key element of the talks.

Kuwait eyes CRJs slated for Iraqi Airways

Thursday September 4, 2008

Kuwaiti government won an order in Quebec Superior Court allowing it to seize Iraq's stake in a fleet of 10 CRJ900s ordered in March, according to the The Gazette of Montreal. Bombardier's initial contract with Iraqi Airways, which is state-owned, was valued at $239 million. In April, Iraq converted six options, bringing the order's value to $498 million (ATWOnline, April 17). The first aircraft was scheduled to be delivered next month. The legal maneuvering is part of an ongoing effort by Kuwait Airways to gain reparations for aircraft destroyed when Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait during the 1990-91 Gulf War. A Bombardier spokesperson declined comment.

Thursday September 4, 2008

Emirates last week took delivery of one 777-300ER and one 777-200LR, lifting the Dubai carrier's 777 fleet to 63.

Emirates' second A380 to be 'few weeks' late

Wednesday September 3, 2008

Emirates' second A380 will be delayed by a "few weeks," the airline said. EK started commercial service with its first A380 on Aug. 1 with a flight from Dubai to New York JFK (ATWOnline, Aug. 4) and now is operating the aircraft on the route thrice-weekly. It planned to take its second A380 this month and upgrade the Dubai-JFK service to daily but that timeline will be pushed back. "We are negotiating with Airbus the delivery date of a second A380," EK said. Airbus said that it still is on track to deliver 12 A380s this year; five currently are in service including four with launch customer Singapore Airlines. The manufacturer announced a fourth delay to the program in May (ATWOnline, May 14), reducing 2008 deliveries from 13 to 12, 2009 deliveries from 25 to 21 and 2010 deliveries from 42 to as few as 30.

EgyptAir orders two 777-300ERs

Friday August 29, 2008

EgyptAir is the customer for two 777-300ERs previously listed as unidentified on Boeing's orders and deliveries website, the manufacturer announced yesterday. The aircraft are worth $529 million at list prices and will feature MS's new business class layout, which includes 49 lie-flat seats with 78-in. pitch. Delivery dates were not announced, but the airline is scheduled to take the first of six -300ERs on lease from GECAS in January 2010 (ATWOnline, Dec. 3, 2007).

Thursday August 28, 2008

Two hijackers who took over a Sun Air 737-200 on Tuesday released the 95 passengers and crew yesterday in Kufra, Libya, and surrendered to authorities without violence, according to widespread press reports. The hijackers reportedly demanded to be flown to Paris.

Bahrain Air orders six A320s

Wednesday August 27, 2008

Bahrain Air signed a letter of intent for the acquisition of up to six A320s. It said the order would increase its fleet to 11 aircraft upon delivery. Dates were not announced. The privately held carrier currently serves 10 destinations.

Hijacking reported in Sudan

Wednesday August 27, 2008

Sun Air 737 was hijacked yesterday afternoon after taking off from Nyala, Sudan. Aircraft was bound for Khartoum but landed at Kufra in southeastern Libya, according to press reports. Libyan authorities were in contact with the hijackers, Agence France Presse reported. Sun Air Executive Manager Mortada Hassan told AFP there were 95 passengers and seven crewmembers onboard. Further information was unavailable.

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