Aviation Daily Roundup: Apr. 6, 2021
April 07, 2021
Airbus Briefs Suppliers On A350-950 Freighter Study
Credit: Airbus
New details are emerging of a potential freighter derivative of the A350 which Airbus is discussing with industry suppliers and operators.

Nordica Could Be Shouldered With Estonian Air’s Historic Debt
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.

Daily Memo: Recovery Trajectories Differ For AirAsia Group Airlines
Credit: Airbus
The AirAsia group is something of a bellwether for the Southeast Asian airline industry considering its footprint in multiple countries.

SA Express Faces Liquidation Threat, Unclear Future
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.

Vietnam Regulators Allows 737 MAX Transit
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.

Atlas Air, LATAM Cargo, Cainaio Agree To Logistical Collaboration
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.

Airline Sector Dismayed By UK Government Lack Of Action
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.

JAL Accelerates Phaseout Of Boeing 777-200s And -300s
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.

New Zealand, Australia Confirm Two-Way Travel Bubble
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.

Flybondi Switches Operations To Buenos Aires’ Aeroparque
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).

Spirit Opposes Changes On JetBlue Routes To Ecuador
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.

Menzies Widens Scope Of Emirates Contract
Credit: Menzies Aviation
Aviation logistics specialist Menzies Aviation has renewed and expanded its ground handling contract in Northern Europe with Emirates Airline.

Qatar Airways Describes Fully Vaccinated Flight As ‘Next Step’
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.

Air France Gets Green Light From Brussels For $4.7B Bailout
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.
Airbus briefs suppliers on A350-950 freighter study, recovery trajectories differ for AirAsia group airlines, Vietnam regulators allow 737 MAX transit and more. Take a look at the daily roundup of air transport news.
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