David Kaminski-Morrow

2 weeks ago | flightglobal.com | David Kaminski-Morrow

Finnair appears to have reached a breakthrough in its drawn-out negotiations with cockpit crew representatives. The collective labour discussions have been taking place since August last year. Finnair chief people officer Kaisa Aalto-Luoto says the two sides “reached a result” on 8 June. “This agreement is a platform on which we build our future together,” she adds. The pact covers three years with the last year optional. It requires approval by administrators from both parties.

3 weeks ago | flightglobal.com | David Kaminski-Morrow

Central European budget carrier Wizz Air is holding crucial discussions on contingency and maintenance for engines as part of a powerplant selection tender covering nearly 180 aircraft. The airline states that the negotiations – relating to additional engineering shop-visit slots and increased access to spare engines – will conclude by the end of June. Wizz Air says the engine tender for 177 Airbus A321neos covers “important considerations” on powerplant support.

3 weeks ago | flightglobal.com | David Kaminski-Morrow

All airlines from Tanzania as well as Suriname have been blacklisted by the European Commission, banning them from operations within EU airspace. The Commission says the prohibition has been imposed because the civil aviation regulators in both countries are “unable to ensure compliance” with international safety standards. “This decision is based on serious safety concerns identified during assessments conducted by European Union aviation safety experts,” it adds.

3 weeks ago | flightglobal.com | David Kaminski-Morrow

Russian carrier Smartavia has again changed its chief executive, naming Andrei Vinichenko to the post. The airline states that Vinichenko will succeed Sergei Lazarev, who was appointed barely a year ago. Lazarev had been the fourth leader identified by the carrier over the space of some two years. He will remain with the airline, implementing priority projects, says Smartavia.

3 weeks ago | flightglobal.com | David Kaminski-Morrow

UK start-up Global Airlines insists it is not switching its business model towards becoming a wet-lease operator, and remains intent on evolving into a scheduled airline. The company clarified its plans a couple of weeks after carrying out initial Airbus A380 flights with two transatlantic services to New York JFK from Glasgow and Manchester in May. Portuguese wet-lease specialist Hi Fly had carried out the JFK flights.