Aviation

  Washington / Bloomberg Boeing Co. is nearing a $4 billion deal with Russia’s largest air-freight company that would help extend the life of the iconic, hump-nosed 747 jumbo jet amid waning demand for four-engine aircraft, people close to the transaction said. The US planemaker is in advanced talks with AirBridgeCargo Airlines and its Moscow-based parent, Volga-Dnepr Group, to convert …

  New York / AFP The sun-powered Solar Impulse 2 aircraft set off from New York’s JFK airport early on Monday, embarking on the transatlantic leg of its record-breaking flight around the world to promote renewable energy. The flight, piloted by Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard, is expected to take about 90 hours — during which Piccard will only take short naps …

  Tehran / AFP Iran and US aerospace giant Boeing have reached an agreement for the purchase of 100 aircraft to renew the country’s ageing fleet, the head of Tehran’s civil aviation authority announced on Sunday. “We have 250 planes in the country, 230 need to be replaced,” said Ali Abedzadeh, the head of the civil aviation body, adding that the …

  New Delhi / Tribune News Service Air India has prohibited its cabin crew from taking leave during Haj season when the national carrier flies passengers for their pilgrimage to holy cities in Saudi Arabia. A circular sent to employees on June 9 said that cabin crew should not apply for leave between August 4 and October 16. “Strict compliance …

  Berlin / Bloomberg Avianca Holdings SA dropped the most in seven months, paring a rally that was sparked by speculation other airlines may seek to acquire a stake in the company, after Chairman German Efromovich said he’s currently seeking a partner rather than a buyer for the company. The stock dropped 7 percent to 2,475 pesos at 1:15 p.m. …

  Kourou / AFP Europe’s Ariane 5 rocket launcher successfully sent two telecoms satellites, one for a US-based communications service provider and one for an Indonesian bank, into space. They were launched from Kourou, in French Guiana, at 6:38 pm (2138 GMT), according to launch company Arianespace. It was the third launch of the year, placing into orbit the Echo …

  Los Angeles / Bloomberg The self-proclaimed godfather of the aircraft-leasing industry, Steven Udvar-Hazy, is stepping down as chief executive officer of Air Lease Corp. Udvar-Hazy, 70, will become executive chairman of the board on July 1, Air Lease said in a statement. John Plueger, 61, the chief operating officer of the commercial-aircraft leasing company, will take over as CEO. …

  New Delhi / Bloomberg Used Airbus Group SE A380 superjumbos are being offered at a 40 percent discount to the $2 million-plus monthly rental rate for a new plane as leasing firm Doric seeks to spur demand for the second-hand jets. Doric is in talks with a number of potential operators for a tranche of double-deckers that could be …

  New York / Bloomberg The biggest US airlines missed their chance to lock in the cheapest energy costs in more than 12 years after jet fuel surged as much as 80 percent since January. The fuel on the US Gulf Coast was trading at $1.37 a gallon on Friday, up from less than 80 cents on January 20, the …

  Bengaluru / Tribune News Service Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Basic Trainer Aircraft, the HTT-40, made its maiden flight, just three years since its design phase, a record of sorts for the public sector company which has otherwise been associated with long delays in aircraft development. Built at a cost of Rs.350 crore, the HTT-40 will help the Indian Air …