Avia Solutions Group reported (14-Aug-2018) the following financial and operational highlights for 1H2018:

• Revenue: EUR204.2 million, +21% year-on-year;
  • Ground handling and fuelling: EUR 94.0 million, +16.5%;
• Operating profit: EUR5.5 million, +136%;
• Net profit (loss): EUR4.0 million;
• Earnings per share: EUR0.612, +248%;
• Assets: EUR178.5 million;
• Liabilities: EUR112.0 million;
• Passengers served: 991,377, +45%;
• Aircraft served: 9020, +26%;
• Volume of fuel sold: 119,355 tonnes, +1%. [more - original PR]

IATA stated (15-Aug-2018) any recession in Turkey could see passenger numbers fall in annual terms in the coming years. IATA noted international passenger demand to and from Turkey is still recovering from the detrimental impacts on demand in 2016, including the failed coup, terror attacks and the deterioration in diplomatic ties with Russia. Domestic passenger growth, which accounts for around 45% of total traffic, is also slowing. Turkish Airlines is expected to offset some of the potential adverse domestic developments, however its worldwide reach makes it more vulnerable to any indirect impacts on economic activity and passenger demand in the rest of the world. IATA added that the pick up in oil prices and favourable exchange rate movements should support inbound visitors from Russia to Turkey and help to mitigate the overall impact on domestic passenger flows. [more - original PR]

Small Planet Airlines Poland appointed (16-Aug-2018) Bartosz Czajka as CEO and management board member, succeeding Jarosław Jeschke. Mr Jeschke resigned in 2018 due to health issues. Mr Czajka held the position of Small Planet Airlines Poland deputy CEO since Jun-2018. [more - original PR]

Air Belgium CEO Niky Terzakis, via his personal Twitter account, noted (16-Aug-2018) Eurocontrol data shows an increase in all causes of aviation delay in Europe in 1Q2018. Mr Terzakis said: "Indeed 2018 is disastrous. It is very rare nowadays not to be delayed by slot restrictions. Also delays are very significant. Can't keep on operating in an overstressed ATC infrastructure".

Oman's National Centre for Statistics and Information reported (16-Aug-2018) the following traffic highlights for Muscat Seeb International Airport for Jul-2018:

• Passengers: 1.4 million, +5.7% year-on-year;
• • Domestic: 128,467, -7.5%;
  • International: 1.3 million, +7.2%;
• Aircraft movements: 10,706, +6.1%;
  • Domestic: 1226, -9.4%;
  • International: 9480, +8.5%. [more - original PR]

Sichuan Airlines, via its official WeChat account, announced (16-Aug-2018) its first A350 aircraft commenced commercial operation on 16-Aug-2018, operating flight 3U8885 from Chengdu to Beijing Capital, handling 315 passengers. The aircraft will operate on the route between 17-Aug-2018 and 31-Aug-2018.