Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair has signed a new collective agreement with UK trade union Unite. The deal covers accelerated pay restoration, upfront and annual pay increases, and restructuring of pay to deliver more guaranteed earnings, and applies to all of Ryanair's UK-based cabin crew until 2026, the carrier says. Under the agreement, cabin crew will benefit from competitive starting pay and a fixed 'five days on, three days off' roster, it adds. "A core feature of this new agreement is a clear career path, helping crew to rapidly secure promotions to senior cabin supervisor and training roles as the airline grows." Ryanair's people director Darrell Hughes states: "We continue to work with our crew and their unions across Europe on new agreements, similar to those concluded with Unite in the UK, CCOO in Spain and SNPNC-FO in France this week. We have already successfully negotiated improved long-term agreements this summer with over 85% of our pilots, and over 90% of our cabin crew, as we prioritise post-Covid pay improvements." The airline is currently recruiting for new cabin crew in the UK as it aims to create over 2,500 new jobs and grow to passenger numbers of 225 million per annum by 2026. It expects to reach 115% of its pre-Covid capacity this year.

Singapore Airlines is holding "confidential discussions" with India's Tata Group about a potential integration of Vistara and Air India. "The establishment of Vistara in 2013 gave the SIA Group a stake in India’s fast-growing aviation sector. India has strong domestic and international traffic flows, which is expected to more than double over the next 10 years. This is an integral part of the SIA Group’s multi-hub strategy, allowing it to get access to important sources that complement its strong Singapore hub," Singapore Airlines says in a 13 October filing to the Singapore Exchange. "In line with its multi-hub strategy, SIA is currently in confidential discussions with Tata to explore a potential transaction in relation to the securities of Vistara and Air India Ltd... The discussions seek to deepen the existing partnership between SIA and Tata, and may include a potential integration of Vistara and Air India." The discussions are ongoing and no definitive terms have been agreed upon between the parties, the Singaporean flag carrier adds. There is also, it says, "no certainty or assurance whatsoever" that any definitive agreement will be entered into, or that the potential transaction will materialise or "proceed to completion arising from these discussions". "Even if a transaction were to materialise, it would be subject to the relevant regulatory approvals, amongst other matters," the airline says. Singapore Airlines holds a 49% equity interest in Tata SIA Airlines, which operates as Vistara and is based in New Delhi. Tata Group holds the remaining 51%. On 27 January 2022, Tata Group closed the acquisition of Air India, having been selected as the new owner of the airline by the Indian government in October 2021. That selection followed a drawn-out sales process which was repeatedly delayed. Air India's current chief executive, Campbell Wilson, who was appointed in May, previously served as the chief executive of SIA's low-cost subsidiary Scoot.

ITA Airways plans to activate its Airbus A220 fleet on 16 October. The Italian carrier says it will launch A220 passenger flights with two -300s. Data shows that ITA has ordered a total of nine A220-300s and 13 A220-100s. Air Lease Corporation is listed as manager of all nine -300s and six of the -100s. ITA additionally has 23 A320neos, nine A321neos and 17 A330-900s on order. It has not disclosed a selection between the CFM International Leap-1A and Pratt & Whitney PW1100G for its A320neo-family jets. The PW1500G is the sole powerplant available for the A220.
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