Airline news and airline widget

China Southern Airlines posted a net loss of CNY1.17 billion ($169.7 million) in the first six months of 2008, a significant reversal from the CNY62 million earned in the year-ago period.

Virgin Blue Holdings blamed soaring fuel prices and one-off product enhancement costs for its 54.7% drop in net profit to A$97.7 million ($85.1 million) for the fiscal year ended June 30.

Mesa Air Group reported a $3.7 million loss for the fiscal third quarter ended June 30, reversed from a $2.6 million profit in the year-ago period, and said it intends to sell its share in its Chinese regional joint venture Kunpeng Airlines back to its partner in the venture, Shenzhen Airlines.

Virgin Atlantic Airways confirmed reports that it is seeking to dispose of its 49% equity stake in Virgin Nigeria, the Lagos-based flag carrier it helped establish in 2004 and launch in April 2005.

Despite operating amid "the perfect storm" of high fuel prices and overcapacity, Malaysia Airlines yesterday reported its eighth consecutive quarterly profit, a MYR40 million ($11.9 million) figure that represented a 64.6% decline from the MYR112.8 million posted in the year-ago period.

US FAA told Southwest Airlines that it is upholding a proposed $10.2 million fine for operating 46 737 Classics for nine days in March 2007 after it had disclosed to the agency that the aircraft were in noncompliance with an airworthiness directive and is seeking payment by Aug. 29.

BAA completed the long-awaited £13.3 billion ($24.81 billion) refinancing of its seven UK airports, which it said will provide "a stable, long-term, investment grade financing platform for investment in [London] Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports over the coming decades."

AirTran Airways is giving Columbus a try. (LUV) (JBLU) (DAL)

DULLES, VA (MARKET WIRE) Destination Cellars, the first and only luxury destination wine club, today announced a new partnership with Exclusive Resorts, the world's leading luxury destination club. As the most recent partner to join the Destination Cellars Strategic Alliance, Exclusive Resorts can now extend to its members preferred access to unique, personally tailored national and international experiences within the private world of wine.

NEW YORK, NY (MARKET WIRE) A great getaway far away sounds great but it will break the bank, right? Wrong. Distance doesn't necessarily mean dollars, so CheapOair.com compiled a list of the least expensive international airfares right now through fall. The cheapest destination is Nassau, Bahamas from Miami ($251 roundtrip) and #21, Dubai from Houston the most expensive at only $1652 roundtrip, inclusive of all taxes and fees. So start thinking again about learning a foreign language (or at least hearing one), sipping that perfect mojito that only a local can make and check out CheapOair's list: