US lifts laptop ban, China looks at A380s and more

US laptop ban lifted for Mid-East carriers
The four leading Middle Eastern airlines have been freed from the US-imposed laptop ban. Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines say passengers can now take their laptops and other electronic devices including cameras with their carry-on luggage. The move follows tougher screening and security requirements for all 105 countries that have flights to the US.

A fifth airline, Saudia, says the ban will be lifted on its flights to the US from July 19. The ban still applies to airlines operating from airports in Morocco, Jordan and Egypt, UK restrictions on large electronic devices still apply to direct inbound flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. They did not apply to Dubai (Emirates), Abu Dhabi (Etihad), Qatar or Kuwait.

US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly says 280 foreign airports that send direct flights to the US must have explosives-detecting scanners within 21 days. Those that fail to adopt more stringent security, including enhanced passenger screening, will face a broader ban on carrying large devioces on board.

China places big Airbus order
Airbus has won orders from China to supply 140 single-aisle and wide-body jets worth $US22 billion at list prices. It also says it’s in talks to sell more A380s, which have an uncertain future due to lack of orders. China Southern is the only Chinese airline with the superjumbos in its fleet.

The deal with China Aviation Supplies is for 100 A320-series jets split between current and new-engine-option versions, with the remaining 40 being the latest twin-aisle A350s. The deal was signed in Berlin during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Germany for the G-20 summit. Half of the A320s will be made at Airbus’ Tianjin plant in China.

China network increased
Cathay Dragon has expanded its codeshare agreement with Shenzhen Airlines that will see three new destinations added to its network in mainland China – Yantai, Jinan and Harbin. They will increase Cathay Dragon’s China network to 27 destinations.

Air Canada seeks United deal
Air Canada is reportedly keen to negotiate a transborder joint venture with United Airlines after new legislation to ease foreign ownership regulations. An amendment to the Transportation Act, if passed, will lift foreign ownership limits from 25% to 49%, though no single foreign investor will be able to hold more than 25% and international air carriers cannot collectively hold more than 25% of a Canadian airline.

United adds to B777-300ER network
Air New Zealand partner United Airlines will introduce its new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to its San Francisco-Beijing route from September 6. Services between San Francisco-Frankfurt and New York/Newark-Tokyo Narita will start from October 5. The new aircraft with Polaris business class seats is already in service on the San Francisco-Hong Kong and New York/Newark-Tel Aviv (TLV) routes. The previously announced San Francisco-Taipei service will start on August 1.

Air Kiribati goes international
Air Kiribati has confirmed it will make its international debut on August 30 with a weekly Tarawa-Honiara service in conjunction with Solomon Airlines. The partnership will also include flights to Brisbane. Air Kiribati is also in the process of acquiring a Dash 8-100 for use in expanding its domestic services. 

Route news of the week
Hong Kong Airlines will boost its Hong Kong-Auckland service to twice daily for the summer peak period from December 10. This compares with 10 times a week last year. El Al Israel Airlines will introduce its new Boeing 787-9 aircraft to several routes over the next few months. Tel Aviv-London Heathrow will start on September 12, Tel Aviv-Hong Kong on March 18, 2018, and Tel Aviv-New York/Newark on March 25, 2018. Lufthansa will introduce an Airbus A350 on to the Munich-Tel Aviv route from August 12. Qatar Airways confirmed it will launch a Doha-Sohar (Oman) service on August 8 and a Doha-Prague (Czech Republic) on August 21.

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