PARIS: Airbus reached a target for at least 50 deliveries of its A350 wide-body jetliner in 2016, two industry sources said.
Widely watched deliveries of the newest European long-haul jet had been delayed by problems in supplies of cabin equipment, notably from France’s Zodiac Aerospace.
Airbus declined to comment ahead of an annual news conference on orders and deliveries on Jan 11.
It has predicted more than 670 total deliveries for 2016, including at least 50 A350s.
It has also predicted it would sell at least as many planes as it delivered in 2016.
In another development, budget carrier EasyJet said it transported a record 74.5 million passengers last year thanks to low oil prices and full planes, but it slipped further behind industry leader Ryanair.
The 6.6 increase kept EasyJet in second place in Europe in terms of passengers carried behind low-cost rival Ryanair, but the Irish no-frills airline on Thursday reported a 15 percent gain to 117 million passengers in 2016, also a record.
An EasyJet spokeswoman said the acquisition of new Airbus A320 aircraft helped it offer more destinations and attract more clients.
The airline kept the percentage of filled seats nearly steady at a high 91.5 percent, with low fuel prices allowing it to offer attractive fares.
However, the drop in the value of the pound after Britain voted to leave the European Union has hit the airline as much of its costs are in dollars or euros.
Its heavy exposure to the uncertain British economy and weak pound saw investors shun the airline’s shares, which fell 42 percent last year, a drop much worse than its rivals, according to Bloomberg.
The airline is also exploring obtaining EU operating certification to ensure smooth operations once Britain does leave the bloc.
EasyJet didn’t make any forecasts for passenger numbers in 2017, but has said previously it expects a 9 percent increase in the number of seats offered during its 2017 fiscal year that ends in October.
Airbus reaches A350 delivery target
Airbus reaches A350 delivery target
US Treasury welcomes reactivation of Syria central bank account at New York Fed
RIYADH: The US Treasury said it welcomed the reactivation of the Central Bank of Syria’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, marking the first time it has been operational since 2011.
The account had effectively been frozen after the outbreak of Syria’s civil war in 2011, when Washington imposed sweeping targeting the Syrian government, state institutions and individuals associated with the regime, designed to isolate Damascus financially and restrict its access to international banking channels.
It is the latest step in efforts to reintegrate Syria into the international financial system. The country has also begun reconnecting to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication network, a move that would end roughly 14 years of financial isolation and restore access to global banking channels.
In a statement posted on social media, the US Treasury Department said it was working with Syria’s new authorities to “responsibly reintegrate Syria into the global financial system,” adding that it welcomed the Syrian central bank’s announcement that its account at the New York Fed had been restored.
The post also stated: “Sanctions relief was just the first step to realizing the President of the United States’ historic vision of greatness and prosperity in Syria.”
The release added: “We welcome the Syrian Central Bank’s momentous announcement that its account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York was officially reactivated for the first time since 2011.”
Over the course of the more than 13-year conflict, sanctions expanded to include broader economic restrictions, including the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act enacted in 2019, which targeted foreign entities conducting business with the Syrian government.
The measures contributed to Syria’s deep financial isolation and complicated humanitarian and reconstruction efforts.
Efforts to restore financial channels have been discussed intermittently as international actors assess pathways for humanitarian assistance and potential economic stabilization.
However, broader sanctions frameworks remain in place, and significant political and regulatory hurdles continue to shape Syria’s reintegration into the global financial system.
In recent years, regional institutions have gradually renewed engagement with Syria as part of broader efforts to stabilize the country and support economic recovery after more than a decade of conflict.
Syria was readmitted to the Arab League in 2023 after a 12-year suspension, reopening diplomatic channels with several Arab states.
