ILFC GETS SECOND INTERIM CHIEF IN TWO MONTHS
Mega-lessor International Lease Finance has lost its second chief executive in the space of two months, after John Plueger retired with immediate effect. Long-term chief financial officer Alan Lund will succeed Plueger, who stepped in after co-founder and long-time head Steven Udvar-Hazy retired in February, while ILFC continues its search for a permanent postholder. ILFC has been for sale since the 2008 financial crisis nearly toppled its parent, AIG.
AVIASTAR'S HEAD HANDS OVER TO DEPUTY
Russian airframer Aviastar's director general, Mikhail Shushpanov, appears to have stepped down after handing over responsibilities for the Ulyanovsk-based plant to his deputy, Sergei Dementyev. Parent company United Aircraft suggests Shushpanov is to take office under the Voronezh regional administration.
PZL SWIDNIK WINS ASSEMBLY DEAL FOR PILATUS
PZL Swidnik, the Polish airframer recently acquired by AgustaWestland, has signed a 10-year deal to assemble fuselage and wing cells for Pilatus PC-12 turboprops, using parts made by Pilatus in Switzerland. PZL will deliver its first assemblies during the second half of 2011.
STATE FUND 'NEEDED TO DRIVE CHINESE SALES'
Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China vice-president Wu Guanghui has urged the Chinese government to set up a state fund of at least 30 billion yuan ($4.4 billion) to help drive sales of Chinese-made aircraft such as the Comac C919. Wu says very few lessors are willing to purchase Chinese-made aircraft.
SELEX GALILEO SETS UP SHOP IN SAUDI ARABIA
Finmeccanica's Selex Galileo defence electronics business has established a wholly owned subsidiary in Saudi Arabia. Selex Galileo has supplied systems and in-country support for Saudi aircraft including Panavia Tornados and Eurofighter Typhoons.
ROW 44 POISED TO GO INTERNATIONAL
Row 44 is to launch its in-flight broadband service outside the USA with the Boeing 737-800 fleet of budget carrier Norwegian from this summer. The California-based firm expects to provide its Ku-band satellite-based service on transatlantic routes in autumn, and on transpacific routes in early 2011.
AIR BALTIC GETS CAPITAL INJECTION
Latvia's Air Baltic is to undergo a capital increase of 30 million lats ($56.5 million) from its main shareholders. The Latvian government, which holds 52.6% of the flag carrier and Baltijas Aviacijas Sistemas, with 47.2%, will maintain their holding ratios.
HAINAN AIRLINES SPINS OFF MRO UNIT
China's Hainan Airlines Group has set up a new maintenance, repair and overhaul company from the maintenance division of Hainan Airlines. GCA Technik has three hangars in Haikou, Beijing and Xian and bases in Taiyuan, Urumqi and Guangzhou.
JACKSON SQUARE EYES SALE AND LEASEBACK
Funds managed by Oaktree Capital have put $500 million into a new lessor focused on sale and leaseback deals. Jackson Square Aviation is led by Richard Wiley, Toby Bright and Scott Weiss, who worked together at Pegasus Aviation and Sky Holding.
Source: Flight International
