Airbus pushed back delivery of its first A320neo by “a few days” to early 2016, due to “technical complexities”. Lufthansa (Germany) will take delivery of the new aircraft.

United Aircraft (Russia) plans to conduct the first flight test of MS-21 by the end of 2016.

Atlanta International Airport (US) counted its 100 millionth passenger which reportedly makes it the first airport in the world to ever serve that many passengers in a single calendar year.

CAA of China auctioned nine slot pairs at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Six Chinese airlines including Urumqi Airlines, China Southern and Colorful Guizhou Airlines won the auction for nine coveted slots at Guangzhou Airport, bidding US$84.8 million totally.

Air Malta talks with an unnamed potential strategic partner include increasing the airline’s fleet and opening new routes to source markets such as Italy and Germany.

Singapore Airlines disclosed that it owns, controls or has agreed to acquire about 74.5% of Tigerair Singapore shares, short of the 90% required to take the LCC private.

West Atlantic (Sweden) is in the process of consolidating its two airlines, West Air Sweden and Atlantic Airlines (UK), and is also eyeing a stock market listing on Sweden’s Nasdaq after recently issuing US$100 million of senior secured bonds to be used to acquire further aircraft as well as for possible equity transactions.

Aviation Capital Group (US) increased its senior unsecured revolving credit facility with DBS Bank (Singapore) as administrative agent by US$60 million to $220 million and extended the maturity to 28 December 2019.

SpiceJet (India) said its shareholders approved a proposal to raise funds worth up to US$758.0 million.

UTair (Russia) fully restructured its US$2.2 billion debt, says a representative for the restructuring consultant.

Airbus to begin delivering five A330-300s leased by South African Airways in 2H 2016.

Camair-Co (Cameroon) grounded its two MA60s over safety concerns, as it needed one month to evaluate the aircraft.

EL AL (Israel) to wet lease B767-300 from Privilege Style (Spain) from 16 December 2015 to 29 January 2016.

Finnair (Finland) entered into MOU with BOC Aviation (Singapore) to lease four new A321-200s scheduled for delivery to Finnair during 1H 2017. Lease agreements have a minimum term of eight years. In interim, Finnair temporarily damp-leased two A321s from summer 2016 onwards.

Finnair (Finland) signed agreements or MoUs to sell one ATR, and two E170s, which will be retired from Finnair and Norra traffic in January-February 2016 and subsequently delivered to the buyers. In addition, Finnair will sell an old A340 for part-out in 1H 2016.

Iberia (Spain) took delivery of its first of 13 A330-200s, a HGW variant, serial 1694, with remainder delivering until March 2018. Aircraft to be followed by 16 A350-900s delivering between 2018 and 2021.

Jetran International (US) lists one CF6-80C2A5, serial 695646, one CFM56-3B1, serial 856998; one RB211-535E4, serial 30655; and four Tay 650-15, serials 17307, 17334, 17364 and 17558 — all for immediate sale or lease. Contact: Leo Nadeau, lnadeau@jetran.aero, +1.830.598.2413.

Jetran International (US) lists two B737-300, serials 24770 and 29341; one B737-400F, serial 26529; and one B737-500, serial 26100 — all for immediate sale or lease. Contact: Leo Nadeau, lnadeau@jetran.aero, +1.830.598.2413.

Kan Air (Thailand) is in talks with United Aircraft (Russia) to lease three SSJ100s. Carrier is also considering two leased A320s from GECAS (US) as an alternative.

Nordic Aviation Group (Estonia) dry leased two CRJ700s, serials 10083 and 10085, from Regional One (US). Aircraft deliver in January and February 2016.

Qingdao Airlines (China) took delivery of new A320-200, serial 6893, bringing its fleet to seven.

SKY Aviation Leasing Management (US) announced sale of one B757-200 on lease to Air Astana (Kazakhstan).

SKY Aviation Leasing Management (US) announces the delivery of one B767 to long-time customer Santa Barbara Airlines (Venezuela). This is one of many aircraft that SKY has on lease to SBA.

SKY Aviation Leasing Management (US) announces the sale of one A320-200 on lease to Small Planet Airlines (Lithuania).

Etihad (UAE) to appeal German court’s decision on withdrawal of approval for codeshare services on 29 routes with Air Berlin (Germany).

PEMCO (US) appointed Douglas Ragsdale as Director of Quality.

Southwest Airlines (US) reached a new tentative agreement with Transport Workers Union, which represents more than 12,000 workers.

SpiceJet (India) approved the appointment of promoter Ajay Singh and his wife Shivani Singh as directors, as well as R Sasiprabhu as an Independent Director.

Surinam Airways will be privatized within the next two to three years, in effort to turnaround its finances. Shakeup comes after director Ewald Henshuys and the entire board were fired by government for “many blunders, including the purchase of the latest A340.” A special team will be set up to run SLM.

Suriname is still stalling in concluding aviation agreements with Turkey, Ghana and the UAE, even though the government’s new policy is to end Suriname’s isolation by allowing as many airlines as possible to fly as frequently as possible.

Air Europa (Spain) rescheduled planned B787-8 service from Madrid to Santo Domingo til 27 March 2016.

Garuda Indonesia to expand reciprocal codeshare with KLM (Netherlands) on 15 January 2016, which sees additional five routes being included in the deal.

Kuwait Airways is cancelling all direct services between Kuwait and Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Sohag, and Alexandria with effect from 28 March 2016. Carrier will also suspend services between Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta for summer 2016.

Malindo Air (Malaysia) rescheduled planned service launch from Kuala Lumpur to Ho Chi Minh City til 29 January 2016.

Myanmar National Airlines to introduce B737-800 service from Yangon to Bangkok on 28 January 2016.

Norwegian updated planned B787-9 operation for summer 2016 season, with the aircraft initially based at London Gatwick, and inaugural service scheduled to New York JFK on 27 March 2016.

Turkish Airlines canceled 142 flights to and from Istanbul on 30 December 2015 and warned of further disruption in coming days as the city braced for heavy snow.

Vueling (Spain) to add service from Valencia to Algiers on 19 March 2016.

Northeast Airlines (China) plans to launch its official operation in October 2016 as budget carrier with initial capital of US$154.2 million. Carrier to be based out of Shenyang Taoxian International Airport, flying domestically initially while later expanding overseas. By 2020, carrier plans to operate fleet of 60 A320s, expanding to 120 by 2025.