Aviation Daily Roundup: Apr. 6, 2021

Credit: Airbus

New details are emerging of a potential freighter derivative of the A350 which Airbus is discussing with industry suppliers and operators.

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Credit: Joe Pries

An Estonian court has determined that Tallinn-based Nordic Aviation Group (Nordica) is the legal successor to Estonian Air, opening up the airline to potential liabilities for unpaid wages and the repayment of historic state aid.

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Credit: Airbus

The AirAsia group is something of a bellwether for the Southeast Asian airline industry considering its footprint in multiple countries. 

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Credit: Rob Finlayson

South African regional carrier SA Express’ future remains uncertain, as would-be buyer Fly SAX awaits a decision from the company’s provisional liquidators.

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Credit: Boeing

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has partially lifted the ban on Boeing 737 MAX operations, allowing the type to fly over the country’s airspace after a two-year ban. 

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Credit: Atlas Air

Air freight operators Atlas Air, LATAM Cargo and Chinese logistics operator Cainiao plan to launch a seamless flight operation program aimed at halving transport time from China to Latin America.

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Credit: Stefan Rousseau/pool/AFP/Getty Images

LONDON—The UK travel sector has reacted with general disappointment and dismay at the government’s latest pronouncement on foreign air travel.

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Credit: Rob Finlayson

Japan Airlines (JAL) has advanced the retirement of its Boeing 777s in domestic configuration, phasing the aircraft out of its fleet a year earlier than expected.

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Credit: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

AUCKLAND—New Zealand and Australia will launch a quarantine-free travel bubble starting April 19, prompting airlines in both countries to dramatically ramp up flight schedules in this market.

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Credit: Eitan Abramovich / AFP / Getty Images

Flybondi has started operating from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP) serving Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires after transferring operations from the city’s Ministro Pistarini International (EZE). 

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Credit: Joe Pries

Spirit Airlines has filed a complaint with the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) which questions whether JetBlue Airways and American Airlines are coordinating flights and routes “outside of the scope” of their new Northeast alliance. 

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Credit: Menzies Aviation

Aviation logistics specialist Menzies Aviation has renewed and expanded its ground handling contract in Northern Europe with Emirates Airline.

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Credit: Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways is preparing the next stage of its development for post-COVID flying by operating a special flight carrying only vaccinated crew and passengers on board.

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Credit: AaronP / Bauer-Griffin / GC Images

The European Commission (EC) has approved a €4 billion ($4.7 billion) French government-backed recapitalization plan for Air France, but in return the flag-carrier must relinquish 18 daily slots at Paris Orly airport to alleviate Brussels’ competition concerns.  

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