China Southern Airlines will not add any additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft (for now). The airline has suspended its remaining order for up to 64 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Source: World Airline News

British teenager has died after falling out of a plane in Madagascar.

Alana Cutland, from Milton Keynes, reportedly fell more than 1,100 metres (3,600 feet) to her death while travelling in a light aircraft last week during an internship on the Indian Ocean island. The 19-year-old’s family paid tribute to the “bright, independent young woman” who had a “thirst for discovering more of the world”. Local police are investigating whether the Cambridge University student deliberately threw herself to her death from the two-door Cessna aircraft after carrying out research in the remote area of Anjajavy last Thursday. Her body has not yet been recovered. Police photographs recreating Ms Cutland’s final moments appear to show the pilot and a second passenger grasping hold of the victim’s leg as she hangs out of the plane, in a desperate effort to keep her onboard.

Source: Independent

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has flagged concerns that Qantas's acquisition of a 19.9% stake in Alliance Airlines in February could reduce competition on some scheduled routes and in the charter market. The competition regulator states that Qantas and Alliance are the only two airlines that fly from Brisbane to Gladstone and Bundaberg. They also compete directly in the resource charter market, where Alliance works closely with Virgin Australia. Qantas's 19.9% stake makes it the largest shareholder in Alliance, and the ACCC notes that it did not seek an informal merger clearance before it acquired the stake. "We consider this shareholding has the potential to impact Alliance’s future growth and its ability to be a strong competitor," says ACCC chairman Rod Sims. "It may impact Alliance’s ability to grow through raising funds from investors, or to consider rival takeover approaches. It may also impact whether Alliance’s customers perceive it to be an independent rival to Qantas.”

Source: FlightGlobal