Aviation Daily Roundup: Dec. 14

FAA Approves Pfizer Vaccine For Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers

Credit: FedEx / Twitter

The FAA has approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for use by U.S. pilots and air traffic controllers, ensuring that essential aviation workers can get immunized without jeopardizing their medical clearances. 

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Argentina’s Flybondi Resumes Operations, Moves To Ezeiza Airport

Credit: Flybondi

Flybondi has resumed domestic flights in Argentina after backtracking on a decision not to transfer Buenos Aires operations to Ministro Pistarini International Airport, also known as Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), while its original base, El Palomar (EPA) airport, remains closed.

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Virgin Atlantic Drops Planned Manchester-India Routes

Credit: Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic has pulled the planned launch of two routes between the UK and India that had been scheduled to start during the coming weeks.

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New Zealand Sets Q1 2021 Goal For Australia Travel Bubble

Credit: Auckland Airport

The prospects for a quarantine-free travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand increased significantly after the New Zealand government said it is targeting a reopening early in 2021.

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Star Alliance Launches Touchless Travel Partnership With Amadeus

Credit: Star Alliance

Star Alliance and Amadeus have launched a partnership aimed at making touchless travel more accessible—at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has brought touchless technologies and initiatives aimed at boosting traveler confidence into the spotlight.  

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AirAsia X Aiming To Raise $123M By Issuing New Shares

Credit: Airbus

AirAsia X, the long-haul subsidiary of LCC AirAsia, is looking to raise up to MYR500 million ($123 million) through a rights issue and by offering stock to new investors. 

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German Air Transport Sector Pledges Net Zero Emissions By 2050

Credit: Matthias von Randow / Twitter

Germany’s air transport sector committed to reaching net zero emissions as it rolled out its “masterplan climate protection” on Dec. 14., but tied the target to strong political support in replacing fleets and bringing synthetic fuels to market.

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British Airways, ZeroAvia Team Up On Hydrogen-Powered Flight

Credit: British Airways

British Airways (BA) has formed a partnership with hydrogen-electric flight specialist ZeroAvia, aimed at accelerating the technology for commercial aviation.

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Daily Memo: United’s Carbon Neutral Pledge Ups The Stakes For Other Airlines

Credit: United Airlines

United Airlines’ declaration that it aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 goes beyond the obvious goal of emissions reduction. 

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European Commission Approves State Aid To Corsair

Credit: Joe Pries

The European Commission (EC) has approved state aid totaling more than €135 million ($164 million) to French leisure carrier Corsair.

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TAP Restructuring Includes 2,000 Job Cuts

Credit: portugal.gov

TAP Air Portugal plans to reduce its fleet to 88 aircraft and cut 2,000 positions under a restructuring proposal, which has been submitted to the European Commission (EC) for approval.

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UK Company Aims To Find Solution To False COVID-19 Certificates

Credit: ACI World

A small UK tech company says it has found an answer to the rapidly growing problem of fake COVID-19 certificates that threaten to undermine efforts to ensure air passengers are free of infection when they board an aircraft.

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