Aviation

  Bloomberg Overbooking is a necessity for the airline industry, according to Azul SA Chief Executive Officer and JetBlue Airways Corp. founder David Neeleman. “There are a lot of no-shows,” Neeleman said at the New York Stock Exchange, shortly after Azul went public. Shares closed up 7.2 percent from their offering price in U.S. trading. “What would hurt the airlines ...

  FORT LAUDERDALE / AP Low-cost Spirit Airlines is the latest carrier to cut flights to Cuba. The Miramar-based airline began serving Havana on December 1 with twice-daily flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. But Spirit President and CEO Bob Fornaro said that “the costs of serving Havana continue to outweigh the demand for service.” The airline will reduce its ...

  Bloomberg Boeing Co.’s newest and largest 737 Max gunned down the runway and soared over the shore of Lake Washington, south of Seattle, on its way to an almost three-hour maiden flight. The latest model in Boeing’s best-selling jet family took wing five days ahead of schedule, during a week marking the 50th anniversary of the first 737 flight. ...

  ROME / AP Premier Paolo Gentiloni urged Alitalia workers to approve a compromise deal to relaunch Italy’s struggling flagship airline that was reached in last-ditch, government-mediated negotiations between unions and Alitalia management. The deal reached early on Friday reduces proposed job and salary cuts and calls for greater investment in the long-range routes that analysts say are critical for ...

  ROME / AP European turboprop manufacturer ATR sealed a long-awaited deal with Iran Air worth $536 million at list prices, making it the latest aerospace company to benefit after a nuclear accord eased international restrictions on trade with the Middle Eastern state. Iran Air will take 20 ATR 72-600 aircraft and has options for 20 more, ATR spokesman David ...

  Bloomberg Delta Air Lines Inc. increased the payouts its airport agents can offer passengers on overbooked flights, moving to prevent a public relations nightmare similar to the one plaguing United Continental Holdings Inc. Customer service agents will be able to offer passengers as much as $2,000 when they’re asked to give up a seat on an oversold flight, up ...

  Bloomberg Airbus SE’s expansion into Boeing Co.’s home market faces a potential setback as Delta Air Lines Inc. reviews a $14 billion purchase of the European planemaker’s two newest wide-body models. The Atlanta-based carrier, known as an influential and shrewd aircraft buyer, is studying its twin-aisle orders amid signs the long-range travel market is saturated, Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief ...

  Bloomberg Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. named Rupert Hogg as its chief executive officer, replacing Ivan Chu, as Asia’s biggest international airline struggles to revive earnings after reporting its first annual loss in eight years. Hogg, 55, chief operating officer since March 2014 and a 30-year veteran at parent Swire Group, will take over May 1, Hong Kong-based Cathay said ...

  Bloomberg Middle Eastern carriers seized on the social media storm surrounding the forced removal of a passenger from a United Airlines flight to hit back at one of the arch-critics of their breakneck expansion. Dubai-based Emirates mocked United’s best-known advertising slogan on its Twitter account, urging passengers to “fly the friendly skies with a real airline.” Royal Jordanian Airlines ...

  Bloomberg Qantas Airways Ltd. told travel agents in Zimbabwe to stop selling tickets for its flights after the International Air Transport Association warned it’s getting harder to move funds out of the country, according to a circular sent by the Australian airline to agencies and seen by Bloomberg. The carrier owed a ‘substantial’ amount by Bank Settlement Plan Zimbabwe, ...