Flybe-BA deal slips
Flybe plans to finally complete its purchase of BA CityFlyer in March. The deal was forged in early November and originally was scheduled to be completed at the end of 2006 and then mid-February. The delay has been caused mainly by the deal's complexity.
CityJet expands
Air France-KLM's Irish subsidiary CityJet is launching eight new routes from London City to five countries. For more on CityJet, read our web interview with chef executive Geoffrey O'Byrne White at www.flightglobal.com/CityJet.
Slovak Airlines shuts down
Slovak Airlines has shut down and filed for bankruptcy. Its majority owner, Austrian Airlines Group, pulled the plug on the carrier at the end of January, accusing the Slovak government of failing to honour legal obligations connected with the takeover.
AirBridge buys Malev
Russia's AirBridge has emerged as the winner of a Hungarian government tender to sell flag carrier Malev. AirBridge is affiliated with the Russian AirUnion consortium. Malev will join the oneworld alliance at the beginning of April along with Japan Airlines and Royal Jordanian.
SkyEurope expands
Central European budget carrier SkyEurope Airlines will open a base in Vienna in March. From Vienna, its first base in Western Europe, SkyEurope will initially operate 16 routes.
Finnair to add Mumbai
Finnair will launch flights in June from its Helsinki hub to Mumbai. It is also increasing its Delhi service in May from three times weekly to daily. But the carrier has scrapped a plan to launch flights to Kuala Lumpur via Bangkok and is discontinuing its service to Singapore via Bangkok.
Knock attracts Flyglobespan
Scottish budget carrier Flyglobespan is launching services in May from Knock in Ireland to Boston and New York JFK. These will be Knock's first transatlantic services. Flyglobespan is also launching flights from London Stansted to Larnaca in April and from Manchester to Johannesburg in November.
Source: Airline Business
