Air India and Singapore Airlines have signed a framework agreement that will pave the way for greater connectivity between their networks. The commercial cooperation framework agreement was signed on 16 January in Mumbai and sets a way forward to seek regulatory approvals for "definitive joint agreements" that would allow them to align schedules and the potential for cross-participation in each other's business travel programmes. "Air India and SIA also plan to explore opportunities to broaden the scope of their cooperation in select markets, beyond Singapore and India, subject to regulatory approvals," they add. "This would meet the growing demand for global connectivity, support traffic flow through both carriers' hubs, and strengthen the air travel markets of both India and Singapore." SIA holds a 25% stake in Air India, with the remaining 75%India'sy India's Tata Group. The two airlines have existing codeshare arrangements covering several routes from India and Singapore

The AirAsia shorthaul carriers are now under the ownership of AirAsia X after Capital A closed the long-anticipated sale of AirAsia Berhad and AirAsia Aviation Capital Group. Capital A says in an 18 January statement that the transaction settled with the allotment and issue of 2.3 billion shares in AAX to Capital A and its shareholders via an in-specie dividend, and the assumption of MYR3.8 billion ($937 million) in debt it owes to AirAsia Berhad. AirAsia X also completed the placement of over 606 million shares to investors as part of its own capital raising. "The completion of this transaction consolidates all AirAsia-branded airlines under a single airline platform ('AirAsia Group') while Capital A pivots to grow its non-aviation portfolio," Capital A states. Tony Fernandes, Capital A chief executive, says that closing the transaction "represents the culmination of one of the most complex and rigorous restructuring exercises undertaken by an aviation group, since Covid brought aviation to a standstill six years ago". AirAsia X chairman Fam Lee Ee says that with the transaction complete, the company is well positioned for sustainable growth. "The consolidation is set to unlock operational and financial efficiencies, including improved fleet utilisation, more integrated network planning and a more resilient operating platform, while leveraging the broader aviation and travel ecosystem developed through the Capital A’s group of companies," he adds. With the disposal of the airlines, Capital A will be focused on five businesses: MRO unit Asia Digital Engineering, logistics firm Teleport, travel business AirAsia Move, branding subsidiary AirAsia Next and food business Santan. Cirium fleets data shows that the consolidated AirAsia Group has 231 Airbus aircraft in storage, 28 in storage and 378 on order. Malaysia-based AirAsia is the largest operator, with 112 aircraft in its fleet, while AirAsia Cambodia is the smallest with only two Airbus A320ceos in operation.

TAP Air Portugal plans to invest €20 million ($21.7 million) in a new maintenance and engineering hub with capacity for two Airbus A321s at Porto's Francisco Sa Carneiro airport. Scheduled for completion in 2028, the project represents a "decisive step" in TAP's growth strategy, the airline says, "allowing it to internalise major fleet inspections, reduce operating costs and create around 200 highly specialised jobs". It will service A321s "or similar", TAP adds. Alongside this, the carrier plans to significantly increase capacity from Porto, to 135 direct weekly departures. This includes the launch of new flights to Cape Verde and the Azores in July, each with three weekly frequencies. A new direction service to Tel Aviv will be launched at four-times-weekly frequency, and the Porto-Boston route will switch from a seasonal service to a permanent, year-round operation next winter. TAP already operates intercontinental routes from Porto to Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, New York and Luanda. As part of its strategic plan for the next three years, it plans to add further intercontinental routes as well as boosting frequency increases on existing services. "This is a new moment for TAP and for northern Portugal," states chief executive Luis Rodrigues. "We are strengthening our intercontinental operations and investing in critical infrastructure, ensuring more options for our customers and more opportunities for the regional economy. TAP is committed to the north like never before."