Two crew members have been killed in a runway excursion involving an Angara Airlines Antonov An-24 which had attempted an emergency landing at Nizhneangarsk in southern Russia. The twin-engined aircraft (RA-47366) had been transporting 43 passengers and four crew members from Ulan-Ude, as flight 2G200, on 27 June. "During the landing, the aircraft rolled off the runway and collided with ground infrastructure," the airline says. Video images purportedly taken during the landing indicate the aircraft veered off the right side of runway 22. The airport has a single runway, designated 04/22, which is some 1,600m in length. Russia's emergency situations ministry for the Buryatia region says the aircraft struck a sewage-treatment plant after crossing rough ground and crashing through a fence. The carrier adds that a fire subsequently broke out and the An-24 was evacuated. While all the passengers survived, the aircraft's captain and a flight mechanic did not.

UPDATE: Preliminary investigation into the fatal Antonov An-24 runway excursion in southern Russia suggests the Angara Airlines aircraft suffered engine failure before landing. The crew informed air traffic control that the left-hand Progress AI-24 engine had failed during the descent towards Nizhneangarsk, when the aircraft was some 16nm (30km) from its destination.

Source: FlightGlobal

Air Canada has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Air Transat's parent, with an unanimous vote in favour of the deal by Transat's board. Air Canada's cash purchase of outstanding Transat stock at C$13 ($9.90) per share is estimated at C$520 million and still requires approval from regulators and shareholders. The two companies expect to close the deal in "early 2020". "Travellers will benefit from the merged companies' enhanced capabilities in the highly competitive, global leisure travel market and from access to new destinations, more connecting traffic and increased frequencies," says Air Canada chief executive Calin Rovinescu.

Source: FlightGlobal

IAG chief executive Willie Walsh expects further European airline bankruptcies in 2019 amid "stubbornly" high fuel prices and competitive pressures in what is likely to be a "tough" year for the sector. Walsh predicts that "there will be some M&A [merger and acquisition] activity" but adds: "When we talk about consolidation in Europe, do talk about it in the context of airlines disappearing as well. Unlike 20 years ago, I think, when an airline disappears it's rare to see that airline replaced."
He notes: "It's not always the case, but a lot of the capacity is now provided by airlines already in operation, which leaves very little space for somebody to try to come in and start up." Ryanair chief commercial officer David O'Brien agreed. He says he expects a number of airline failures in the next six months in Europe, including, possibly, some "sizeable" carriers.


Source: FlightGlobal