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Taiwan's Starlux orders 10 more Airbus A350 long-haul jets
Starlux Airlines, a Taiwanese airline, has ordered 10 additional Airbus A350 long haul jets. The two companies announced this at the Paris Airshow. Cirium Ascend's estimates of aircraft prices suggest that the deal could be worth $1.85 billion. Starlux CEO Glenn Chai stated that deliveries of new A350-1000s are expected to begin in 2031. Chai, a reporter, said that the aircraft was a perfect match for their long-haul strategies. The airline operates a fleet of 28 Airbus aircraft consisting of A350-900s for trans-Pacific routes and A330neos, A321s, and A321s for regional ones. Chai said that the airline expects to begin flying to its European destinations next year but gave no further details. Taiwan's new full-service carrier launched its first flight in 2020, and currently serves Tokyo, Bangkok Hanoi, Singapore Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Hanoi. Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Airbus' Chief Commercial Officer, said: "This isn't the first time we've worked with Starlux but we're not going to get tired." Starlux placed its first order for 17 A350s with Airbus in 2019. Starlux unveiled its new carbon fiber livery for the 1000s on Wednesday. Reporting by Giulia Segreti. Mark Potter edited the article.
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This weekend, the yacht of UK tech tycoon Lynch will be brought to the surface.
The sunken superyacht of late British tech tycoon Mike Lynch will be recovered this weekend from the sea near the northern Sicily coast, according to the company that is leading the salvage operation. The 56-metre (184-foot-long) Bayesian, which was moored near Palermo in the small Porticello port, sank last August during a sudden and severe weather event. Seven people were killed, including Lynch's daughter Hannah and Lynch. The recovery process was made easier by the removal of the 72-metre mast using a remote controlled cutting tool. It was then placed on the seabed. The Bayesian will be lifted 50 meters to the surface by a powerful marine crane. Marcus Cave, Head of Naval Architecture, TMC Marine, said that if all goes well, the final recovery of the vessel will be this weekend. The bodies are expected to arrive at the nearby port of Termini Imerese, on Monday, and be handed over to authorities investigating the tragedy. A UK interim report last month said that the yacht was susceptible to violent winds, and it was likely knocked down by gusts exceeding 117 km/h (73 miles per hour). The yacht also sank, killing lawyer Chris Morvillo, his wife Neda and banker Jonathan Bloomer, along with his wife Judy. Also killed were chef Recaldo, as well as Jonathan Bloomer, and his wife Judy. Nine crew members and six passengers were also rescued. Last month, the salvage work was temporarily halted following the death of an active diver.
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Port data indicates that a ship is expected to arrive in French ports to load wheat bound for Egypt.
Port data confirmed that a ship will arrive in La Pallice, Western France, on June 21, to load 60,000 metric tonnes of wheat bound for Egypt. This confirms a part of the sale announced earlier this month. Mostakbal misr confirmed that two ships are on their way to France and another one is expected "very soon". Trading sources said that Egypt's state grain buyer Mostakbal Misr had agreed to purchase about 180,000 tonnes of French wheat in April from two major European traders. However, they warned of delays with the delivery of these cargoes. Mostakbal Misr said that it was also pursuing efforts to diversify the origins of wheat, including by sourcing wheat from Australia.
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What is the cause of the Iberian Power Outage and what will happen next?
Separate findings have been released by the Spanish government and the grid operator regarding the causes of the massive blackout that occurred in Spain and Portugal, on April 28. The blackout caused gridlock and thousands were left stranded in trains and elevators in cities across the Iberian Peninsula. What caused the blackout? In a report published on Tuesday, the Spanish government stated that the grid operator Redeia had miscalculated how much energy was needed in the system. The Spanish government blamed some thermal power plants that use coal, gas, and nuclear for not maintaining an appropriate voltage. As a result, grid operators were unable to cope when a sudden surge in voltage occurred, resulting in the power outage. To maintain grid stability, voltage - which is the force driving electric current – must be maintained within a safe range. Redeia stated on Wednesday that the cause of the power outage was a sudden surge in voltage. However, it blamed the conventional power plants for not being able to regulate the voltage. The company attributed the outage to anomalies that occurred during the disconnection of power plants from the network on April 28, and an unexpected surge in demand for electricity in the transport system. Redeia has rejected the claim its miscalculation of energy mix was a major factor. What should have happened? Grid operators use a variety of tools to maintain the stability of power systems by ensuring they have the correct frequency, voltage and supply. According to the government report, the number of generators available for voltage control was lower on April 28 than in previous weeks. Redeia did not name the companies that operated the plants and failed to maintain proper voltage control. Sara Aagesen, Spain's Minister of Energy, said at a Madrid press conference that the grid operator lacked sufficient capacity to regulate voltage. Concha Sanchez, Redeia’s chief of operations, said that the grid had calculated the voltage support needed, but certain plants didn't respond as expected. Where are the renewables to blame? No. The government and Redeia both said that renewable energy sources are not to blame for the blackout. Spain is Europe's largest producer of renewable energy, and solar power accounted for 59% at the time of blackout. Sanchez, a Redeia representative, said that if conventional power plants had done their job of controlling voltage, there would not have been a blackout. Did the French Power Link play a role? When the power outage occurred, Spain exported electricity to France and Portugal. Aagesen, the Energy Minister, explained that at 12 p.m. an "atypical oscillation" was detected in power system. Grid operator responded by implementing standard control procedures including reducing exports of electricity to France. These actions, while successful in reducing oscillations, also had a second effect, namely an increase in voltage. What happens next? On Tuesday, the government announced that it would propose measures to improve voltage control and strengthen the grid. The government also said it plans to improve the integration of the peninsula with European grid. Redeia announced that it would release its complete report on Wednesday. The report of the government will be sent to the European Network of Transmission System Operators, which is conducting its own investigation. A party found to be responsible for a blackout could be held liable for any losses that occurred during the outage.
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Nigeria will introduce real-time tracking of oil exports
According to regulations seen by, Nigeria's oil regulator will introduce a new rule requiring oil producers to get an export permit, vessel approval and a unique identifier to allow real-time tracking. The updated regulations will allow for real-time monitoring and tracking of oil cargoes at the export terminals. This will help combat theft and underdeclaration. The new rules are a major departure from the old system, which required only that producers declare their cargoes to customs for export permits to be issued. The new guidelines are a major step towards a more accountable, transparent and efficient oil export system in Nigeria, said the spokesperson of the regulator. Ayodele ONI, an energy lawyer with the Lagos-based Bloomfield Law Firm, stated that the previous system did not allow for real-time monitoring. Oni stated that this deficiency caused issues such as theft, under-reporting and mismatches of export data. Exporters are required to file detailed information about the cargo and vessel in advance under the new framework known as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Advance Cargo Declaration Regulation. This includes the consignee and port destination of the cargo, the amount of the cargo, and the estimated arrival time. The strict compliance with the new regulations is mandatory. Non-compliance can result in penalties up to $20,000 Reporting by Isaac Anyaogu. (Editing by Jane Merriman.
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UK delays HS2 rail line beyond 2033
Transport Minister Heidi Alexander announced on Wednesday that the opening of Britain's high-speed railway line HS2, which connects London to central English city Birmingham, would be delayed beyond the previously planned 2033 date. Since the project was approved in 2012, it has faced cost overruns. The project's ballooning costs forced the previous government two years ago to cancel it. You can cancel your order by clicking here. The northern half of the project is between Birmingham and Manchester. The cost of the project has risen to over 100 billion pounds. It was originally expected to be completed by 2026 at a cost of 33 billion pounds (44 billion dollars). Alexander expects to know the costs and the opening date of the line by the end the year. HS2 was You can also find out more about The project was intended to increase capacity and catch up Britain with other European countries that have extensive high-speed tracks. However, Alexander claimed the project was derailed due to a lack in cost control and leadership. She said that this must be a "line in the sand". "This government has delivered HS2 between Birmingham and London after years mismanagement, flawed reports and ineffective supervision." Alexander stated that the project would be reset with the goal of encouraging suppliers to save money and renegotiating construction contracts. The Labour government, which will be elected in 2024 has accelerated the planning process for new energy sources. Transport It has put projects at the centre of its growth strategy. It has supported expansion at London's Heathrow Gatwick Airports. Reporting by Sarah Young, editing by James Davey, and Catarina demony.
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Iberia, the Spanish airline, plans to expand its long-haul fleet from 70 to 80 aircraft
Iberia plans to expand its fleet of long haul aircraft from 45 to 70 by the middle next decade. The Spanish airline announced this in a strategy plan published on Wednesday. Iberia, owned by International Consolidated Airlines (Ica), plans to invest 6 milliards d'euros ($6,90 billion) in the plan. Iberia CEO Marco Sansavini said to reporters that 70% the investment required for the expansion of its fleet will be funded by the company's own cash flow. He said that the company would also be adding four short-haul aircraft in 2026-2027. Sansavini stated that "all our fleet will be Airbus aircraft, allowing us to be efficient." From its hub in Madrid, the airline, which is part of a group including British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Vueling will continue to be a leader on routes between Europe, and Latin America. Sansavini also said that it plans to add direct flights from Toronto, Philadelphia, and Monterrey, Mexico, in response to the strong sales performance in North America.
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Hilton and Marriot announce plans to expand in Africa
Hilton and Marriott, two of the largest hotel chains in the United States, have announced expansion plans to Africa as a way to take advantage of rapid tourism growth on the continent. Hilton announced on Wednesday its plans to triple the number of hotels in Africa to 160. In a statement, the company said it would enter Angola for the first, as well as Ghana and Benin, before returning to Madagascar and Tanzania. It did not provide a time frame for its expansion plans. Marriott said that it expects to have 50 new properties in place by 2027. Marriott will also enter five new countries, including Cape Verde and Ivory Coast. The existing African portfolio of the group includes nearly 150 properties with 26,000 rooms in 20 countries under 22 brands. The airlines have increased their African capacity. Emirates offers 161 flights a week across Africa. It has recently added daily services to Entebbe, and Addis Ababa. United Airlines launched the Washington-Dakar direct route in May, and Delta will start a daily seasonal flight to Accra starting in December. The United Nations World Tourism Organization reports that international arrivals on the continent increased by 9% in the first quarter 2025 compared to the same period before the pandemic. This is 16% higher than the pre-pandemic 2019 period. This momentum is translating to economic impact. World Bank and national data show that tourism accounts for between 3 and 7 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in countries like Kenya, Morocco, and South Africa and as much as 15 percent in tourism-heavy nations such as Namibia. (Reporting and editing by David Goodman.)
Airbus optimistic, but could have to wait on AirAsia's deal
The biggest airshow in the world was set to end with a quiet finale on Wednesday after the owner and operator of AirAsia - a budget airline that is often the source of drama at the last minute - played down the prospects of plane deals expected with Airbus or Embraer.
The delegates were prepared for a low key Paris Airshow, after Boeing made huge deals on President Donald Trump's trip to the Middle East. The U.S. firm then reduced its presence at the Paris Airshow to focus on the investigation into the deadly crash of a Boeing 787 by Air India last week.
Airbus, the European competitor to Boeing, has steadily increased its business and showed Wednesday that it is confident about the future by announcing the possibility of higher dividends.
Airbus was expected to seal a deal with AirAsia on its A321XLR single aisle jet and the smaller A220 in order to add a final shine to the show.
Tony Fernandes is the CEO of AirAsia's owner Capital A Group. He said that they were in discussions to purchase 50 to 70 A321XLRs and 100 A220s (or competing E2 regional aircraft) from Brazil's Embraer.
He played down the prospects of a deal at Paris, saying that the first priority should be to complete the restructuring of the group.
"I don’t think an order will be placed at this airshow." We are still working with Airbus and (other) manufacturers .... In an interview, he stated that he thought they would be looking to do something in the near future.
Airbus made an aggressive offer, according to two industry sources. The aim was to increase A220 sales and secure a customer as a launch client for the new 160-seater version or to kickstart a bigger version that is still in development.
They added that, barring any other twists in the negotiations which could not be excluded, the talks were stalled.
Other deals were still being done.
Embraer announced on Wednesday that SkyWest Airlines had placed an order with it for 60 E175 regional jets. SkyWest also acquired the purchase rights to another 50 aircraft.
Airbus announced an order for two A350 freighters from logistics company MNG Airlines, and EgyptAir was unveiled as the previously-undisclosed buyer of six A350-900 long-haul jets.
Since the end of travel restrictions during the pandemic era, planemakers have struggled to meet demand for newer, more fuel efficient aircraft. Supply chain problems, particularly with engines, has delayed some deliveries.
Airbus announced on Wednesday that it has experienced 40% less disruptions due to delayed components in its production facilities since the beginning of 2025.
In the defence sector, U.S. drone manufacturer Anduril and Germany’s Rheinmetall announced they would work together to build aerial drones to be sold in European markets. This is a sign that Europe is leveraging U.S. tech to enhance its military capabilities. Reporting by Tim Hepher and Paul Sandle. Giulia Segrit, Joe Brock, Lisa Barrington. Mark Potter edited the story.
(source: Reuters)