News for Europe/MEA

Alitalia and Alitalia Cityliner extended (21-Sep-2017) the binding bid period related the the group's insolvency proceedings from 02-Oct-2017 to 16-Oct-2017. 05-Nov-2017 remains unchanged for the "completion of the next procedural phases". [more - original PR - Italian]

La Compagnie ordered (21-Sep-2017) two A321neos from Airbus, due for delivery in 2019. The aircraft will operate in all business configuration, offering WiFi and full flat beds. According to the CAPA Fleet Database, La Compagnie operates two Boeing 757-200 in an all business class configuration. La Compagnie CEO Laurent Magnin said the purchase "is an important step in maintaining our unique position in the market as we continue to invest in our clients and evolve as a brand". [more - original PR]

Delta Air Lines and Aeroflot reportedly resumed codesharing on Aeroflot operated services from Moscow Sheremetyevo to Chelyabinsk, Irkutsk, Kaliningrad, Kazan, Krasnodar, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Perm, St Petersburg, Samara, Sochi, Ufa, Volgograd and Yekaterinburg (Routes Online, 20-Sep-2017). As previously reported by CAPA, in Apr-2017 Delta Air Lines requested a renewed authority from the US Department of Transportation to operate scheduled service on a codeshare basis with Aeroflot. Delta requested the renewals for a period of at least two years.

Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported (19-Sep-2017) 7.0 million foreign arrivals in Istanbul in the eight months ended Aug-2017, up 10.8%. The largest number of visitors arrived from Germany, Iran and Saudi Arabia. [more - original PR - Turkish]

SAS announced (20-Sep-2017) plans to operate four times daily Stockholm Arlanda-Ornskoldsvik service from 08-Apr-2018, operating with ATR 72-600 aircraft. Bookings are expected to commence on 03-Oct-2017. Head of sales Sweden & Finland Anders Wahlström stated "Örnsköldsvik is an exciting market…with a large export-oriented business community". [more - original PR - Swedish]

Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport stated (20-Sep-2017) air freight traffic has been "increasing dynamically over the past months" in Hungary, "even exceeding the double-digit growth rate registered in passenger traffic". The airport confirmed plans to commence construction of a new freight facility called 'Cargo City' in 2018. [more - original PR]

Air Mediterranean detailed (19-Sep-2017) route development plans from Athens International Airport, effective 01-Nov-2017:

• Athens-London Stansted: Four times weekly;
• London Stansted-Athens-Erbil: Twice weekly;
• London Stansted-Athens-Baghdad: Weekly;
• London Stansted-Athens-Khartoum: Twice weekly;
• Athens-Stockholm Arlanda-Four times weekly;
• Stockholm-Athens-Erbil: Twice weekly;
• Stockholm-Athens-Baghdad: Weekly;
• Stockholm-Athens-Khartoum: Twice weekly;
• Athens-Jeddah: Three times weekly;
• Athens-Casablanca: Three times weekly;
• Jeddah-Athens-Casablanca: Three times weekly.

Athens International Airport director, communications and marketing Ioanna Papadopoulou said: "Increasing number of connections to destinations including not only already operated markets, such as London, Stockholm and Jeddah, but additionally, markets that are totally new to the Athens market, such as Casablanca, Khartoum, Baghdad and Erbil are offering new travel choices to the travelling public". [more - original PR]

Air Malta chairman Dr Charles Mangion stated (20-Sep-2017) the introduction of the carrier's "Go-Light" fare type is "tangible proof of a changing National airline". The fare type includes two products, 'Go Smart' or 'Go Flex'. Dr Mangion said: "This is a bold step for us, aimed to offer an enhanced and superior product whilst also increasing much needed revenue... The hybrid model adopted provides guests with a unique platform that empowers them to build a tailor made product according to their wants and needs". [more - original PR]

Ireland's Minister for Transport Shane Ross published (20-Sep-2017) a policy statement on revised government policy covering regulation of airport charges at Dublin Airport. Mr Ross said: "I am delighted the Government has agreed to reform how prices are set at Dublin Airport, placing consumers' interests first". Mr Ross also thanked the Commission for Aviation Regulation, supported by Aer Lingus and Ryanair, for its regulatory oversight in the Dublin's development as a "highly connected modern international airport". [more - original PR]

British Airways announced plans to launch twice weekly London Heathrow-Seychelles service, effective 24-Mar-2018. Service will operate with Boeing 787-9 equipment. [more - original PR]