SAAB 340 Russian passenger and freight operator Polet is nearing a deal to acquire up to 35 Saab 340 turboprops from a US-based operator - believed to be American Eagle - through a division of Russia's Vneshtorgbank (VTB). "We want to sign a final agreement shortly and begin taking delivery ahead of the next summer season in April 2010," says Polet owner Anatoly Karpov. Talks between the airline and VTB about a five-year lease are advanced, he adds.
Source: Flight International
US airlines are working to get their operations back into gear after a global computer outage forced some carriers to halt all departures overnight.
Virgin Atlantic will drop its Shanghai service this winter after 25 years as it further cuts its Asia-Pacific network amid the longer flying times necessitated by not being able to overfly Russia.
Southwest Airlines and Archer Aviation have signed a memorandum of understanding to create air taxi networks in and around cities in California served by the carrier.
