Aviation Daily Roundup: Apr. 9, 2021
April 12, 2021
Production Issue Forces Immediate Inspections Of Up To 460 Boeing 737 MAXs
Credit: Boeing
Boeing and 16 affected 737 MAX customers are working to inspect backup power units on about 90 aircraft to ensure they are grounded after the manufacturer learned that production-line changes created risk of failures.

Daily Memo: Don’t Call It A Comeback For U.S. Aircraft Orders
Credit: Boeing
Boeing recently scored its biggest sale since the COVID-19 pandemic swept across North America in March 2020, with Southwest Airlines’ commitment to purchase at least 100 additional 737-7s over the next decade.

LATAM Opts To Shed A350s Amid Bankruptcy Restructuring
Credit: Rob Finlayson
LATAM Airlines Group is using its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization to retire its Airbus A350 widebodies, which will streamline its twin-aisle fleet to all Boeing aircraft.

Training Standards Slipping, Pilots Group Says
Credit: CAE
The coronavirus pandemic offers a rare chance to reset pilots’ training standards and reduce the increasing number of accidents caused by a lack of basic flying skills, according to an influential group within the UK’s Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS).

Jettime Owner Acquires Swedish A321neo Operator Novair
Credit: Novair
Swedish charter airline Novair—which is currently owned by travel company DER Touristik and Swedish travel agency Apollo—is to be indirectly acquired by Jettime owner and airBaltic shareholder Lars Thuesen.

Connect Airlines Plans Canada-U.S. Business Routes
Credit: WMA / Connect Airlines
Boston-based charter operator Waltzing Matilda Aviation (WMA) is planning to launch a new scheduled airline later in 2021 targeting business traffic.


UK Air Travel Reopening Plan Perpetuating Uncertainty
Credit: Heathrow Airport
LONDON—The UK has detailed how it will reopen international air travel but is yet to confirm a tentative May 17 restart date, drawing industry criticism for high-cost testing and prolonged uncertainty that will deter travel.

Air Serbia To Operate Over 800 Charter Flights This Summer
Credit: Joe Pries
Air Serbia plans to operate more than 800 charter flights during the summer 2021 season in cooperation with domestic travel agencies.

BA CityFlyer Adding Channel Islands, Gibraltar Routes
Credit: British Airways / Stuart Bailey
British Airways (BA) is launching two new routes to Jersey (JER) and Gibraltar (GIB) from London City Airport (LCY).

Norwegian Startup Flyr Plans July First Flight
Credit: Flyr
Norwegian airline Flyr, a startup backed by industry veteran Erik Braathen, plans to start ticket sales in early June and make its first flight from Oslo to Tromsø July 1.

Eurowings Expands VFR Business To Russia, Georgia
Credit: Joe Pries
Eurowings is launching new routes from Germany to Russia and Georgia for passengers looking to visit friends and relatives (VFR).

Qatar Airways Opens Facility To Streamline Engine Maintenance
Credit: Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has opened a 9,000-ft.² technical engine facility in Doha that it says will boost cost efficiencies and workflow.

Lessors AerCap, BOC Aviation Report First Quarter Progress
Credit: AerCap
In a first quarter that saw its acquisition of GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) send shockwaves through the leasing sector, Dublin-based AerCap continued to navigate the pandemic, signing lease agreements for 60 aircraft over the period ending March 31.
Production issue forces immediate inspections of up to 460 Boeing 737 MAXs, LATAM opts to shed A350s amid bankruptcy restructuring, Air Serbia to operate over 800 charter flights this summer and more. Take a look at the daily roundup of air transport news.
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