Finnair revised (17-Jul-2018) its outlook for 2018 as follows:

• Global airline traffic continues to grow strongly in 2H2018. Finnair expects increased competition as existing and new operators increase capacity, particularly on routes linking Europe with Asia and North America;
• Finnair estimated its capacity will increase by more than 15% in 2018. Passenger volume is expected to grow broadly in line with capacity while revenue growth is expected to be slightly lower;
• Finnair expects the substantial increase in the price of jet fuel will impact its results, especially in 2H2018. Finnair estimated its comparable operating result in 2018 will be broadly at the previous year's level (2017: EUR170.4 million), if current fuel prices and exchange rates prevail and assuming no material changes in business environment. [more - original PR]

Nigeria's Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika, via his official Twitter account, announced (16-Jul-2018) Nigeria's new national carrier will be officially announced on 18-Jul-2018. Mr Sirika participated in aircraft order negotiations with Airbus at the Farnborough International Airshow on 16-Jul-2018 and will hold negotiations with Boeing and other OEMs on 17-Jul-2018. Mr Sirika also met with Standard Chartered Bank.

US Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced (16-Jul-2018) the US FAA will award USD659.8 million in airport infrastructure grants, as part of USD3.18 billion in airport improvement programme (AIP) funding for airports across the US. The second increment of funding provides 450 grants that will fund 664 infrastructure projects including runways, taxiways, aprons, terminals, aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles and snow removal equipment. [more - original PR]

Airbus secured (16-Jul-2018) orders and commitments from nine customers on the first day of the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow, as well as making a series of other announcements. Key highlights include:

• MoU with an undisclosed global lessor for 80 A320neo family aircraft;
• Firm order from Macquarie AirFinance Group Limited for 20 A320neo aircraft;
• Confirmation of an order by Golden Falcon Aviation's for 25A320neo/A321neo aircraft for Wataniya Airways;
• Firm order for 20 A320neo family aircraft from Goshawk Aviation Limited;
• LoI with Vistara for 13 A320neo aircraft, accompanied by an announcement that the airline intends to phase-in an additional 37 A320neo aircraft sourced from lessors;
• Agreement with SalamAir to add six new A320neo aircraft to its fleet. Five of the aircraft are on lease from an undisclosed lessor;
• MoU with STARLUX Airlines for the purchase of 17 A350 XWBs (12 A350-1000s and five A350-900s);
• Order confirmation from Sichuan Airlines for 10 A350-900s. [more - original PR]

Ethiopian Airlines and Turbine Services & Solutions (TS&S) signed (16-Jul-2018) a MoU to collaborate on the following:

• Establishing auxiliary power unit (APU) capabilities and engine on-wing care centres. The APU centres of excellence will focus on different aspects of MRO services, including spares pool management, predictive maintenance and associated connectivity;
• Explore financing and leasing opportunities to support Ethiopian Airlines' fleet through Sanad Aero Solutions. Sanad, which provides financial solutions for spare engines and rotable components, will also explore financing and leasing opportunities in support of Ethiopian's fleet requirements.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said: "Ethiopian stands to benefit from this agreement by boosting its diverse repair, maintenance and overhaul capabilities through innovative technologies. The agreement will also facilitate an additional financing and leasing option for our growing MRO services". [more - original PR]

Rolls-Royce president civil aerospace Chris Cholerton said (15-Jul-2018) the company's strong position on new widebody aircraft is "driving substantial growth across our civil aerospace business". Mr Cholerton reported customer feedback on the Trent XWB-84 on the A350-900 has been "very positive" and the Trent XWB-97 is now powering three A350-1000 aircraft in service, with full ETOPs capability. He added that Rolls-Royce is "recognising some of the recent issues we've experienced in parts of our fleet" and all of its engines entering service are supported by enhanced maturity testing "to provide early identification of any areas for further improvement and to ensure the best possible service reliability." [more - original PR]