Delta Air Lines has converted purchase rights on an additional 30 Airbus A321neos into firm orders. It follows a similar transaction in April when the US carrier converted 25 A321neo purchase rights into firm orders and added a further 25 A321neo options. Today's announcement increases Delta's firm A321neo commitments to 155 aircraft, Airbus says. The airline holds purchase rights on an additional 70 of the type. Delta expects to take delivery of its first A321neo in the first half of 2022, with deliveries set to continue through 2027. The aircraft are powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines. The new aircraft will be deployed across Delta's domestic network, complementing its existing fleet of 121 A321ceos.

Ryanair will no longer serve either of Belfast's airports from October, citing the UK's air passenger duty (APD) tax and a "lack of Covid recovery incentives" from the airports. The airline confirms that it "will cease operations from Belfast International and Belfast City from the end of the summer schedule in October". It adds that the aircraft "will be reallocated to lower-cost airports elsewhere in the UK and Europe for the winter schedule, which starts in November". Ryanair says it has taken the decision "due to the UK government's refusal to suspend or reduce APD, and the lack of Covid recovery incentives from both Belfast airports". Earlier this year the Irish budget carrier had returned to George Best Belfast City airport after 11 years with the launch of eight new routes, but these were summer-only services. Belfast International airport says it is "disappointing that Ryanair has now decided to withdraw operations from the entire Northern Ireland market at the end of October, having variously had a presence in all three local airports in recent years", adding: "It has been a difficult period for aviation and a time when consumers need some stability and faith in the Northern Ireland air transport network." The airport says that, "anticipating such a move", it has "been engaging with our existing and other new airlines to provide continuity on the routes to be vacated by Ryanair". It hopes "to make announcements regarding fresh route development in the near future". Ryanair used to serve Derry too but said in December that it was cancelling flights from the Northern Irish airport. It blamed an "unexpected policy shift" by the UK Civil Aviation Authority over domestic and non-European Union flights from the UK that were operated by its Ryanair UK unit.

Emirates has signed an interline agreement with South African carrier CemAir. The deal will enable Emirates' passengers to book onward domestic flights operated by CemAir from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Margate, Durban, Hoedspruit, Plettenberg Bay, George and Sishen. "As we continue our expansion during the post-Covid recovery period, we realise that now more than ever partnerships are key to our success," states CemAir chief executive Miles van der Molen. CemAir's air operator's certificate was restored in October 2019 after months of being grounded. The Johannesburg-based carrier operates a fleet of Bombardier CRJs and De Havilland Canada Dash 8 turboprops. Emirates increased its South African frequencies earlier this month, and is currently operating 14 flights a week to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. The Dubai-based carrier also has interline and codeshare agreements in South Africa with South African Airways, Airlink and Flysafair.