SpiceJet has expressed interest in buying grounded Indian carrier Go First, after its board recently approved fresh capital raising of Rs22.5 billion ($270 million). In a 19 December filing to the Indian Stock Exchange, SpiceJet says it has “expressed interest with the Resolution Professional of Go First and wish to submit an offer post diligence, with a view to creating a strong and viable airline in a possible combination with SpiceJet." The deadline for the submission of expressions of interest was 28 September. Go First has been grounded since May this year, and is embroiled in a legal tussle with lessors that are trying to repossess their aircraft. The troubled carrier has 54 Airbus A320s in its fleet, all of which are leased, data shows. Meanwhile, SpiceJet has also had its fair share of legal troubles, with creditors going to court over missed payments. The carrier has 46 aircraft in service and 21 stored in its fleet, mainly comprising Boeing narrowbodies, 737 NGs and 737 Max 8s, regional turboprops De Havilland Canada DHC-8s and a single A340 widebody jet.

South African Airways has signed a memorandum of understanding with SunExpress which will see the Turkish carrier support the operations of SAA with its four aircraft in the 2024/2025 financial year. The MoU expands on a six-month agreement covering damp lease of two Boeing 737-800s, maintenance and cockpit crew, which started in October, the carrier says. Along with the plans to increase the number of damp lease aircraft, SAA and SunExpress are also exploring possibilities of a multi-year reciprocal capacity support and further cooperation related to maintenance, training and commercial support. "Over the next decade, SunExpress will more than double its fleet, reaching a 150-aircraft fleet by 2033," states SunExpress chief Max Kownatzki, adding: "This kind of partnerships enable us to efficiently utilise our fleet, mitigating the impact of our seasonality."

Air Corsica has firmed an order for two ATR 72-600s, which was arranged with the turboprop manufacturer at Paris air show in June. ATR says the two turboprops are scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2024 and will bring the carrier's ATR 72-600 fleet to seven aircraft. They will replace 500-series ATRs, the airframer notes. "By harmonising our fleet around the ATR 72-600 aircraft, we will continue to contribute actively to our island's economic prosperity, providing our customers with a fast, reliable, economical and socially responsible means of transport," states Air Corsica's supervisory board president Marie-Helene Casanova-Servas. The carrier additionally operates Airbus A320s