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Argentina's Government declared (16-Sep-2024) air transport an essential service, mandating that airlines operate at least 50% of scheduled services in the event of industrial action. The decree further states that unions must give five days notice of strike action, after which a commission will have 24 hours to decide which services to maintain during the strike period. As previously reported by CAPA, Aerolineas Argentinas estimated the cost of recent strike action by the Association of Airline Pilots and Association of Flight Attendants unions at over USD2.5 million. [more - original PR - Spanish]

Boeing, in its 2024 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), predicted (16-Sep-2024) the African region's commercial aircraft fleet will more than double by 2043, with 1170 aircraft deliveries (65 regional aircraft, 830 narrowbodies, 260 widebodies and 15 freighters) expected between 2024 and 2043. Other findings of the CMO include:

• Passenger air traffic in Africa will increase 6.4% p/a, tripling the region's traffic by 2043. The growth rate ranks Africa as the third highest among the 10 regions tracked by Boeing;
• 82% of deliveries will be for growth, the highest percentage of any region;
• Africa's freighter fleet will triple by 2043;
• Africa's operators will need to hire and train 76,000 new pilots, maintenance technicians and cabin crew, tripling the region's active personnel.

Boeing MD of commercial marketing for Middle East and Africa Shahab Matin said: "As demand for air travel rises, African airlines will need more single aisle airplanes to efficiently serve many routes in the continent's largest aviation markets, including Europe, the Middle East and within Africa". [more - original PR]

Indonesia's State-Owned Enterprise Minister Erick Thohir, via his official Facebook account, announced (10-Sep-2024) Angkasa Pura I and Angkasa Pura II officially merged into a single entity, InJourney Airports. Mr Thohir said the combined entity will be the "fifth largest airport operator in the world", managing 37 airports in Indonesia. Mr Thohir said: "We will enhance our business model to drive growth in both aviation and non-aviation revenue, as demonstrated by current successful practices" (Aviation Week, 12-Sep-2024). InJourney Airports president director Faik Fahmi said the group aims to increase passenger volume from 149.9 million in 2023 to 170 million in 2024. Out of the two companies, Angkasa Pura II handled the majority of travellers in 2023 with 80.1 million.

Avolon entered (13-Sep-2024) an agreement with Castlelake to acquire Castlelake Aviation Limited (CAL). CAL has USD5 billion in assets as of 31-Mar-2024, including a portfolio of 105 aircraft on lease and commitments for 13 new technology aircraft, two engines on lease and five loans. The portfolio is 68% narrowbody aircraft and 70% new technology aircraft, with a weighted average aircraft age of 4.7 years and a weighted average remaining lease term of 8.4 years. The CAL portfolio has up to USD3.3 billion of transferable debt available to Avolon on closing, with the balance funded from Avolon's existing sources of liquidity. The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and is expected to close in 1Q2025. Goldman Sachs & Co is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Castlelake and Milbank LLP is acting as its legal counsel. [more - original PR - Castlelake] [more - original PR - Avolon]

Air Canada pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), reached (15-Sep-2024) a tentative four year collective agreement with the carrier, averting strike action. The new contract provides CAD1.9 billion (USD1.4 billion) in value to Air Canada pilots over the course of the agreement with improvements to compensation, retirement benefits and work rules. The agreement will be put forward to union membership for ratification over the coming weeks. ALPA represents more than 5200 Air Canada pilots. [more - original PR - ALPA] [more - original PR - Air Canada]

United Airlines partnered (13-Sep-2024) with SpaceX to deploy Starlink WiFi connectivity across the carrier's mainline and regional aircraft fleets. The agreement will provide United passengers with free high speed internet connectivity, enabling access to live TV and streaming services, social media, shopping and gaming on seatback screens and personal devices. United will also use Starlink to support connectivity for frontline employees. The carrier is scheduled to begin Starlink testing in early 2025, with the first passenger flights expected later in 2025. United expects to deploy Starlink connectivity across all its aircraft over the next several years. United stated it is "the first carrier in the world to commit to offering Starlink service at this scale". CEO Scott Kirby stated: "This connectivity opens the door for an even better inflight entertainment experience, in every seatback - more content, that's more personalized". [more - original PR]