Aviation Daily Roundup: Dec. 17

Southwest Reiterates Q4 Guidance, Moves MAXs Out To April 2020

Credit: Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines says fourth-quarter (Q4) unit revenue will be flat up to 2% year-over-year on the strength of solid bookings and yield trends, likely boosted by ongoing capacity pressure created by the 737 MAX groundings, the carrier reported.

Boeing Will Halt MAX Production In January As Grounding Drags On

Credit: Mark WagnerBoeing, citing “uncertainty” in when the 737 MAX will be cleared to return to service as a key factor, will suspend 737 production in January 2020, the company said Dec. 16.

Copa Adding Seats To Its MAXs, 737-800s

Credit: Copa AirlinesCopa Airlines plans to densify its Boeing 737-800s starting in 2021 and will add a net total of three airframes in 2020 as it catches up on 737 MAX deliveries and continues retiring its Embraer E190s.

Inbound Demand Worsens For Cathay Pacific

Credit: Cathay Pacific Airways

Lufthansa, Munich Airport To Expand T2 Satellite Terminal

Credit: LufthansaLufthansa and Munich Airport operator Flughafen München GmbH (FMG) plan to intensify their strategic cooperation in the sustainable development of the Star Alliance carrier’s Munich hub.

Icelandair To Retain 757s As MAX Plan Slips To May 2020

Credit: BoeingAll-Boeing operator Icelandair has pushed back its planning for the Boeing 737 MAX’s return to operational service by five months to May 2020, prompting a delayed phase-out of some of its 757s.

Singapore Airlines To Launch Brussels Service

Credit: Singapore AirlinesSingapore Airlines (SIA) has announced it will launch commercial flights to Brussels, Belgium, starting Oct. 25, 2020.

New Alitalia Commissioner Arrives As Unions Seek Clarity

Credit: Rob FinlaysonAlitalia’s new special commissioner Giuseppe Leogrande met with Italy’s economic development minister Stefano Patuanelli and union representatives Dec. 17 in a bid to find a way forward for the Italian flag carrier, which filed for bankruptcy two-and-a-half years ago.

Startup Green Africa Airways Builds Management Team For 2020 Launch

Credit: Green Africa AirwaysNigerian startup Green Africa Airways has appointed former Air Italy COO Neil Mills as president and COO, as the airline progresses toward a planned 2020 launch.