Iran’s Ilaam Air targets late 3Q23 launch

EC sets mid-1Q24 deadline for Korean/Asiana merger decision

The European Commission (EC) has set February 19, 2024, as the tentative date for a decision on the merger of Korean Air (KE, Seoul Incheon) and Asiana Airlines (OZ, Seoul Incheon). The EC updated its website on December 6, adding the new deadline. At the same time, one of the EC's top competition bosses told media that the parties were progressing towards solving some of the more contentious merger aspects.

The proposed KRW1.8 trillion won (USD1.37 billion) merger will see Korean Air take a 63.9% stake in Asiana, taking its aircraft and other infrastructure and dissolving the brand. However, the EC has raised concerns about the merger's competitive impact on cargo and passenger routes between South Korea and European airports. In May, the EC sent Korean Air a statement of their objections to the proposed merger. Specifically, the commission had concerns on two fronts, including that the provision of passenger transport services may be reduced on four routes between South Korea and France, Germany, Italy, and Spain and that the provision of cargo transport...

Hawaiian Airlines' B717s to be replaced with MAX - report

The planned USD1.9 billion buyout of Hawaiian Airlines (HA, Honolulu) by Alaska Airlines (AS, Seattle Tacoma International) could eventually see B737 MAX stock replace Hawaiian's workhorse B717-200s on inter-island routes.

The Beat of Hawaii outlet notes that the investor presentation accompanying the merger announcement earlier this week says Hawaiian's B717 fleet has nearly half its flight cycle remaining but could eventually be replaced by B737s.

Hawaiian's 19-strong fleet of B717-200s has an average age of 21.9 years. According to ch-aviation fleets advanced data, the youngest has completed just over 30,800 flight cycles, while the oldest has done almost 76,500 cycles. The aircraft link key Hawaiian airports, including Honolulu, Hilo, Kahului, Kona, and Lihue. Except for the B717s, Hawaiian is an Airbus airline, with the remainder of its fleet comprising eighteen A321-200Ns, twenty-four A330-200s, and one A330-300(P2F). It also has eight A330-300s on order.

In contrast, Alaska Airlines is a Boeing operator. Twenty-four of its 252 aircraft are Airbus types,...

Cubana takes first Il-96-300 following Russian overhaul

Iran’s Ilaam Air to buy four aircraft - governor