Airbus has deleted from its backlog Iran Air orders for 45 A320-family jets, 36 A330s and 16 A350s nearly seven years after halting deliveries to the carrier. Finalised in late 2016 – following a multinational agreement that had removed nuclear-related sanctions on Iran – the order originally spanned 46 A320-family jets, 28 A330-900s, eight A330-200s and 16 A350-1000s. Iran Air received a CFM International-powered A321 from Airbus in January 2017 and in March that year took two A330-200s from the airframer. The two widebodies had previously been delivered to Avianca but not put into service, and were separately leased to Iran Air. Further Airbus deliveries to the carrier did not take place after US president Donald Trump withdrew from the multinational accord in 2018. Prior the reimposition of US sanctions, Iran Air received 13 ATR 72-600s from the turboprop manufacturer jointly owned by Airbus and Leonardo. The carrier had signed for 20 ATR 72-600s and taken options on another 20 in 2016. At that time, Iran Air additionally reached a deal with Boeing for 50 737 Max 8s and 30 777s. Airbus data shows that its Iran Air backlog – including 32 A320neos, six A320ceos and seven A321ceos – was removed in December. Other changes disclosed by Airbus include cancellation of China Aviation Supplies' orders for eight A330-300s and one A320neo. Two A320 orders from an undisclosed customer were cancelled. EasyJet switched 35 A320neo orders to the A321neo. An order from German leisure carrier Condor for two A320neos and four A321neos was transferred to BOC Aviation, while Croatia Airlines' order for six A220-300s was assigned to Griffin Global Asset Management.

Germany’s United Services Union, representing Lufthansa's ground workers in the country, is demanding a 12.5% pay increase as part of collective labour negotiations set to begin with the airline this week. Talks between unions representing 25,000 ground staff across Lufthansa, Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Cargo will begin in Frankfurt on 18 January. The union complains that “employees are working at the limit,” amid staff shortages at the company. Meanwhile, it highlights that Lufthansa Group is making record profits. "Although remuneration was increased in 2022, an aircraft technician, for example, has 10 percent less in his pocket today than three years ago due to the price increases. That's why employees need significantly more money," says negotiator Marvin Reschinsky. Alongside the union’s demand for a large percentage increase in salary, it is insisting that all employees receive at least €500 ($547) extra per month.

Unions representing pilots at IAG airline Aer Lingus have voted overwhelmingly to reject a pay increase offer of 8.5%. A total of 98% of voting members of unions Forse and the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association opted to reject the offer, with Forse commenting that the proposal “didn't reflect the sacrifices of pilots during Covid when they took reduced pay & conditions to help the airline recover.” Forsa adds that Aer Lingus has recently announced “record profits”.