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Malév Hungarian Airlines was today welcomed on board oneworld, the world’s leading quality global airline alliance, at a series of special celebration events in its Budapest home base.

Its addition, as one of the alliance’s first new recruits for six years, is a central part of oneworld’s biggest expansion since its launch eight years ago.

It will be joined on board oneworld in the coming days by Japan Airlines, Asia-Pacific’s largest carrier, along with five JAL associates as affiliate members, and by Royal Jordanian, the first airline from the Middle East to find a home with any of the global alliances. Two more members of the LAN alliance will board at the same time as well – LAN Argentina and LAN Ecuador, also as affiliates.

source: touristikpresse.net

Afghanistan’s national airline could be days from collapse due to corruption, mismanagement and a crippling aircraft leasing arrangement that has drowned the struggling carrier in debt.

The government is scrambling to court investors to privatize up to 75 percent of state-owned Ariana Afghan Airlines, and is tallying its assets in case the company is liquidated, an Associated Press investigation has learned.

The collapse of the 52-year old airline, which survived the Taliban regime despite international sanctions, would be a potent symbol of failure by the administration of President Hamid Karzai and would reinforce growing perceptions of corruption and incompetence.

source: BusinessWeek

Brazil’s budget airline Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes has agreed to buy rival Nova Varig for $275 million.

Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes said Wednesday the deal with Varig’s owners — VarigLog, a former logistics unit of Nova Varig, and Volo, a group of investors — involves $98 million in cash and issue of some 6.1 million preferred shares. It will also assume $45 million in debentures, which will raise the value of the deal to $320 million.

source: earthtimes.org

Spanish airline Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA has hired investment bank Goldman Sachs Group Inc has hired Merrill Lynch & Co Inc. to advise it on a possible bid, citing industry sources.

Separately, ABC reports Deutsche Lufthansa AG has hired Merrill Lynch & Co Inc.  to advise it on a possible bid, citing industry sources.

source: Market Watch

Spanish carrier Iberia is increasing its presence at New York JFK. Air Transport World writes the carrier will boost its service between New York JFK and Madrid “‘to 14-times-weekly from 10 beginning March 25. It also will begin using A340-600s on the route, raising overall capacity 68 percent compared to the winter season.'”

Swiss International Air Lines will be offering its customers tasty treats from Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland this spring. The new inflight attraction is the latest chapter in the airline’s innovative “‘SWISS Taste of Switzerland’” culinary concept, which focuses on its home country’s varied regional cuisine.

Manfred Roth, chef de cuisine at the renowned Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotels & Spa, will be offering SWISS’s inflight customers culinary delights from Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland from mid March onwards. SWISS will be serving the new exclusive meals to its Swiss First and Swiss Business passengers on long-haul services from Switzerland (and also on selected inbound flights). Swiss Business customers on longer European flights departing from Switzerland will also be able to sample these regional specialities.

source: Easier

None of Indonesia’s 48 commercial airlines, charter operators and air cargo companies are complying with all mandatory safety regulations, according to an emergency audit, a local report said Friday.

The audit was conducted by the Ministry of Transport following two deadly airline crashes in Indonesia since January 1, including one involving flag carrier Garuda Indonesia on March 7 that killed 21 people, The Jakarta Post reported.

Garuda was one of 13 domestic airlines and cargo companies placed in the middle of a three-category system denoting best to worst, meaning they had met all but a few safety requirements.

From March 25 2007, JAL and Thai Airways will expand their bilateral code share agreement to include twice daily domestic flights operated by the Thai airline between Bangkok and the popular holiday destination of Krabi in southern Thailand.

source: touristikpresse.net

One of the world’s most luxurious airlines will double its Australian services by 2011.

Transport Minister Mark Vaile announced Emirates Airlines will operate an additional 35 flights each week to Australia by 2011.

“‘I welcome the successful outcome of this week’s negotiations with the United Arab Emirates which will provide Australia’s airports and tourism industry with increased airline operations and tourists,'” Mr Vaile said in a statement.

Emirates will operate from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.

source: Bendigo

Deutsche Lufthansa and a US private equity fund have requested information on Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana SA.

Yesterday, the Spanish flag carrier said its board authorised chairman Fernando Conte in February to provide information to potential investors interested in participating in the company.

The airline said yesterday that it is currently not considering any tie-up proposal, nor has it received an approach or become involved in an agreement with any third parties.

source: Forbes