Chengdu Airlines, the recapitalized and renamed United Eagle Airlines, has received an operating license. United Eagle was privately run but, as Chengdu Airlines, it is now a government outfit, owned by state companies that include Sichuan Airlines and commercial aircraft builder Comac. Its mission calls for focusing on the western districts of China, regional routes, a large network and “domestic production”— the latter a reference to the 30 Comac ARJ21s that it ordered as part of its restructuring.

Thai Airways International will drop three routes in its new schedule: those linking Bangkok and Kuwait; Bangkok, Manila and Osaka; and Hong Kong and Taipei. The change will take effect in March. In May, the airline will resume flying a previously unsuccessful rout -- between Bangkok and Johannesburg.

Lower fuel prices and improved Australian demand have led Virgin Blue Airlines to forecast a profit of A$80 million-A$110 million before tax and exceptional items for the year to June 30, reversing a loss of A$93 million a year earlier. Fuel hedging should further enhance that figure, although the company said only that it expects a credit from its hedging operations.