Airbus first A320neo fitted with Leap-1A engine performed its maiden flight.

Airbus launched the ACJneo Family with an order for an ACJ320neo from Acropolis Aviation (UK), which is the first to order the new aircraft. Delivery is planned for 4Q 2018.

Boeing Business Jets (US) agreed with Aviation Partners (US) to offer Split Scimitar Winglets as standard equipment aboard the BBJ, effective summer 2016.

IKHANA Aircraft Services (US) selected H Series turboprop engines from GE Aviation (US) to re-engine DHC6-100/-200/-300 aircraft.

Alitalia (Italy) to not renew its partnership agreement and ancillary joint ventures agreements with Air France KLM when they come up for renewal in 2017.

Korongo Airlines (Congo DR) seeks investors to increase its capital and therefore its competitiveness ahead of entry of new local airlines. Ethiopian Airways is reportedly interested.

SMBC (Japan) and the Development Bank of Japan are set to take a combined 33.4% stake in bankrupt Skymark Airlines (Japan). ANA Holdings (Japan) plans to acquire a 16.5% stake.

Vietnam Airlines to implement codeshare with Jetstar Pacific (Vietnam), effective 21 May 2015.

Cebu Pacific (Philippines) raised its capital expenditure commitments by 12.3% to US$294.45 million for acquisition of aircraft fleet. Carrier is scheduled to take the delivery of seven A320 and 30 A321neo between 2015 and 2021.

Garuda Indonesia board approved the company’s management plan to sell up to US$500 million in global sukuk to help finance general corporate programs.

Icelandair Group entered into a five year Revolving Loan Facility Agreement for the amount of US$70 million with Islandsbanki (Iceland).

Small Planet Airlines (Lithuania) reports 400% increase in year-on-year profit before tax to US$9.3 million, with revenue up 9.2%. Liquidity is at a record high and there is no long-term interest bearing debt on its balance sheet.

Alpha Star (Saudi Arabia) selected Jet Aviation Basel (Switzerland) to complete an ACJ319 and an ACJ330.

ANA All Nippon Airways (Japan) issued RFP seeking sale/leaseback of B777s and B737-800s.

Boeing Business Jets (US) announced two new orders from undisclosed customers who selected a BBJ and a BBJ B787-8.

DP Aircraft I (Guernsey) to acquire two B787-8s, serials 36110 and 35320, that are currently owned by AerCap (Netherlands) and leased to Thai Airways International. Purchase will be funded by a US$106.8 million share placement and a $156.4 million loan.

Embraer and Tianjin Airlines (China) signed final agreement for sale of 22 aircraft, in deal with estimated value of US$1.1 billion at current list prices. Deal comprises 20 E195s and two E190-E2s, with E1s delivering in 2015 and E2s in 2018.

Ethiopian Airlines issued RFP to finance 12 A350-900s delivering in 2017.

Flynas (Saudi Arabia) reportedly cancelled its remaining Embraer aircraft on order.

GDC Technics (US) announced winning its third B787 cabin modification contract.

Itochu (Japan) sold an almost new A320-200 to Chishima Real Estate (Japan) in February 2015. Aircraft came with a Japanese Operating Lease attached.

Mesa Airlines (US) to finance the seven CRJ900s on order with debt from Export Development Canada. Aircraft to be delivered in 3Q 2015.

Ruili Airlines (China) announced commitments to purchase 60 B737 MAX from Boeing with two aircraft lessors Minsheng Financial Leasing (China) and AVIC International Leasing (China).

Saudia plans to increase its fleet from 119 to 200 aircraft by 2020.

Small Planet Airlines (Lithuania) further successfully strengthened its position in Asia: starting with its solid performance in Bhutan followed by a new project with Sky Angkor (Cambodia).

Small Planet Airlines (Lithuania) replaced two B737-300s with newer A320s, while one additional A320 was added as a dedicated standby unit. In 2015, carrier to increase its fleet to 18 aircraft and grow our operations in the UK and Poland.

WNG Capital (US) seeks new lessees for two mid-life B737-800s.

South Korean airlines voluntarily signed an agreement to replace all their aircraft that are 20 years old or older, currently at 14 passenger aircraft and two cargo aircraft.

Air France threatens to close its bases in Nice, Toulouse and Marseille by October 2015, which will result in reassignment to Paris of about 200 pilots.

Austrian Airlines to return to a cautious growth path, with a new pricing model, new medium-haul fleet, new destinations. Carrier expects 1.5 million passengers, 400 jobs and a revenue increase of US$239.2 million within next few years.

Boeing Capital appointed Daniel da Silva as VP – Strategic Regulatory Policy, effective June 2015.

Malaysia Airlines to divest its indirect 8.84% share in Abacus International (Singapore) as part of streamlining its businesses and divesting off non-core assets. Sale is expected to be completed by end of 2015.

Saudia was fined some US$1.6 million by a regional Belgian government for breaching EU carbon emissions rules, making it the first big non-EU carrier to be fined for breaking the EU aviation law.

Wizz Air (Hungary) announces launch of a refreshed brand and livery.

Air Canada Express added service from Toronto to Austin on 18 May 2015, with CRJ700.

AirAsia (Malaysia) to launch service from Kuala Lumpur to Utapao and from Johor Bahru to Bangkok Don Mueang on 15 and 17 July 2015, respectively.

China Eastern expanded codeshare partnership with Alitalia (Italy) on 18 May 2015, which sees MU code appears on domestic Italy flights, as well as Milan – Shanghai route.

China Eastern filed an application to launch new service from Wuxi and Hangzhou to Osaka and Shizuoka in near future, with A320.

Delta Air Lines (US) to launch new service from New York JFK to Halifax on 01 September 2015, with CRJ700.

Estonian Air reports April 2015 passenger numbers up 8.7% to 46,089 passengers.

Ethiopian Airlines to expand codeshare partnership with Air China on 18 May 2015, which sees ET code begin appearing on selected Air China service.

Ethiopian Airlines to start service from Addis Ababa to Cape Town and Gaborone on 30 June 2015.

Fiji Airways to start service from Nadi to Vava’u, as well as from Samoa to Tongatapu, in November 2015.

Qatar Airways to start A350 service from Doha to Munich on 01 October 2015, alongside existing B787 service.

Ruili Airlines (China) to gradually establish a comprehensive network based in Kunming, taking Chengdu, Chongqing, Guiyang, and Nanning for its second hubs, radiating to major domestic cities and reaching to Southeast Asia, South Asia and other neighboring countries.

Southwest Airlines (US) to expand service from Houston Hobby to Belize, Cancun, Mexico City, Puerta Vallarta, San Jose, and Cabo San Lucas on 15 October, as well as to Liberia and Montego Bay, and from Denver to Puerta Vallarta on 01 November 2015.

Turkish Cargo launched freighter service to Dakar on 18 May 2015.

Uni Air (Taiwan) to operate limited service from Taipei Taoyuan to Ho Chi Minh from 08 July to 12 July 2015, with A330-200.

Colorful Guizhou Airlines (China) to be established by local companies as a regional carrier based in Guiyang, with registered capital of US$164.5 million and E190s. Chief executive is Xu Bo.

Flyvista (Georgia) ceased commercial operations, but will remain a charter and leasing operator with its two B737-300s.

Orion Airways (Cyprus) plans to launch as LCC in the country as carrier applied for an AOC.

SkyJet (Philippines) and Seair International (Philippines) forced to suspend operations immediately as various safety concerns were observed by regulators.