An-124 Auction
Antonov plans to auction off a Libyan Arab Air Cargo An-124 Ruslan if Libya does not pay unpaid maintenance and storage fees. Ukraine sold two An-124- 100s to Libya over a decade ago, with the aircraft in dispute sent to Antonov for maintenance in 2010. However, it could not be returned due to the conflict in Libya. With payment not forthcoming, Antonov took the matter to the International Commercial Arbitration Court, which in May 2017 ruled Antonov could collect $1.2 million from the legal successor of Libyan Arab Air Cargo. As the money has not been recovered, the aircraft will be auctioned. Guy Martin
KLM 747-400 Scrapping
At the end of November 2017, the dismantling organisation Aircraft End of Life Solutions at Enschede Twente Airport in the Netherlands will receive its first ex-KLM Boeing 747-400. KLM’s 747-400s are being replaced by 787s and 777s and the last Jumbo will leave the airline’s fleet in 2020. KLM still has 19 747s operational, including three 747-400Fs. Aircraft PH-BFA, PH-BFD, PH-BFK, PH-BFM, PH-BFO and PH-BFP have now left the fleet and were flown to the United States to be dismantled. Bob Fischer
St Helena Flights Start
SA Airlink has begun scheduled commercial operations to St Helena, after long delays caused by problems with windshear. One of the South African carrier’s newly delivered Embraer 190s touched down on October 14 from Johannesburg. Its arrival kicked off scheduled weekly flights with 70 economy class and six business class seats. The start of flights will allow the retirement of the postal ship RMS St Helena. Guy Martin
Further Funding for SAA
South African Airways (SAA) has been given ZAR 10 billion from the government for the current financial year to stabilise the airline. The carrier had requested ZAR 13.1 billion over three years and had previously received funds to settle loans with Standard Chartered and Citibank and for working capital. The remaining funds will be used by the end of March 2018. The carrier said in return it has to meet deadlines for the implementation of its turnaround strategy and appoint critical personnel. Guy Martin
Return for World
Investment firm 777 Partners has acquired the intellectual property rights of World Airways Inc and is planning to relaunch the carrier as a low-cost long-haul airline flying to Asia. It is in discussions with Boeing on ordering up to ten 787s. Mark Broadbent
