Aviation Daily Roundup: Dec. 09

United Rolls Out Airport Contactless Virtual Assistance

Credit: PRNewsfoto / United Airlines

United Airlines passengers will soon have access to virtual, on-demand customer service at the Chicago-based carrier’s hubs, giving people a contact-free option to get real-time information and support. 

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Virgin Australia Restructures MAX Order; No Widebody Return In 2021

Credit: Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia has cut its Boeing 737 MAX orders by about half but remains focused on narrowbody operations, signaling that a return to widebody flying is still on the agenda but remains a long-term prospect.

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Beijing Capital Airport Invites Bids For Fourth Runway

Credit: Google Maps

Beijing Capital International Airport has called for tenders for laying a fourth runway, part of a larger upgrade program for the facility made possible by the opening of another airport in the capital region in 2019.

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European Night Train System Aims To Convert Young Airline Passengers

Credit: ÖBB

Starting from December 2021, the pan-European overnight train network Nightjet will expand its network as it targets younger climate-conscious airline passengers. 

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Aviation Groups Ask FCC To Suspend Spectrum Auction

Credit: Garmin International

Fifteen aviation industry groups have asked the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to suspend an auction of radio frequency spectrum near the band used for radar altimeters.

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Lufthansa Reshuffles Management At Austrian Airlines, Eurowings

Credit: Lufthansa Group

Lufthansa Group subsidiaries Austrian Airlines and Eurowings have both announced several changes to their management teams. 

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Cebu Pacific Pumps In Capacity As It Preps For Recovery, Vaccines

Credit: Cebu Pacific

Filipino LCC Cebu Pacific is adding capacity in December in a joint effort with the Philippines department of tourism to promote domestic tourism, as well as adding more international flights to support the transport of overseas Filipino workers. 

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‘Perfect’ Time For New Colombian ULCC, Ultra Air Founder Says

Credit: Boeing

Ultra Air plans to begin operations in summer 2021 with a fleet of either Boeing 737-8s or Airbus A320s, according to founder and CEO William Shaw. 

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Ukraine’s Windrose Airlines Seeks U.S. Approval

Credit: Windrose

Windrose Airlines is seeking permission from the U.S. Transportation Department to serve the market between Ukraine and the U.S.

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European Commission Sets Out Green Transport Strategy

Credit: Heathrow Airport

The European Commission has set out a goal framework aimed at helping the transport sector recover from the COVID-19 crisis and become more sustainable.

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Lessor Consolidation Not Imminent, CDB Aviation Chief Says

Credit: CDB Aviation

The volume and complexity of financial challenges facing airlines is helping shake out the lessor business, but a wave of consolidation is not likely to start until after a jittery, pandemic-battered air transport marketplace settles down, the head of CDB Aviation said. 

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Delta Permanently Scraps Select Change Fees For International Flights

Credit: Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines became the second major U.S. carrier to permanently eliminate change fees for certain international tickets, joining American Airlines in an effort to stimulate travel demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Sun Country Eyes Opportunities To Source Used 737NGs

Credit: Joe Pries

ULCC Sun Country Airlines is ready to seize on opportunities in the used aircraft market as the Boeing 737 MAX returns to service, as airlines in other regions shrink their fleets through Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. 

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Airlines For America Names Southwest CEO Kelly As Board Chair

Credit: Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly was tapped to be the next chairman of the board of Airlines for America, a role that will see him steer the activities of the influential lobby group amid the worst downturn in commercial aviation history.

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European night train system aims to convert young airline passengers, Delta permanently scraps select change fees for international flights, Sun Country eyes opportunities to source used 737NGs, and more. A daily roundup of air transport news. 

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