Aviation Daily Roundup: Feb. 09, 2021
February 10, 2021
DLR Tests Space-Based Augmentation Landing System
Credit: DLR
German researchers are flight-testing a satellite-based landing system for commercial aircraft that uses signals from a space-based augmentation system, potentially reducing the cost of providing precision approach capability at smaller airports.

Singapore Airlines Defers Deliveries, Swaps 787-10s For 777-9s
Credit: Boeing
SINGAPORE—Singapore Airlines (SIA) has reached agreements with Airbus and Boeing to defer the delivery of more than 130 aircraft in its order book past the contracted timeframe and some beyond the immediate five years.

Sun Country Aims To Use IPO Proceeds To Pay Off CARES Act Loan
Credit: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport / Twitter
Sun Country Airlines intends to use a portion of the proceeds from its upcoming IPO (initial public offering) to re-pay a loan from the U.S. government to eliminate some of the more stringent restrictions of the financing package.

Brussels May Require Tender For Alitalia Assets
Credit: Rob Finlayson
Italy reportedly may have to launch a tender at market prices for the sale of assets belonging to nationalized airline Alitalia, in order to get European approval for a relaunch plan for the carrier.

Boeing Warns White House Against Domestic Testing Proposal
Credit: O'hare International Airport
Boeing cautioned the White House against pursuing a COVID-19 testing proposal for domestic air travelers, warning such a policy would produce “severe unintended consequences” that far outweigh any potential public health benefits.

Daily Memo: Will There Be Consolidation In Aircraft Leasing?
Credit: Boeing
Lessors have been able to increase their share of the in-service aircraft fleet to almost half over the past few decades.

GAMECO Adds Third 737-800BCF Line In Guangzhou
Credit: GAMECO
To meet rising demand for converted freighters, the Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company (GAMECO) has announced it will open a third line for the 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) at its Guangzhou, China facility.

UK Arrivals Face Triple Testing, $2,400 Hotel Bill
Credit: Heathrow Airport / Twitter
LONDON—International passengers arriving into England will be required to undergo three self-funded coronavirus tests, in addition to being quarantined.

NASA Steps Up Civil Hypersonic Studies With Aerion, GE
Credit: Aerion Supersonic
NASA is transitioning long-running hypersonic technology studies increasingly toward potential commercial applications and has awarded two new contracts supporting high speed design and propulsion work to Aerion Supersonic and GE Aviation respectively.

Star Alliance Plans To Leave Frankfurt Headquarters
Credit: Star Alliance
Star Alliance is in the process of giving up its headquarters at Frankfurt Airport. Established in 1997 by Lufthansa, United, Thai, SAS and Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance was the world’s first global airline alliance and celebrated its foundation in Frankfurt.

British Airways Invests In Sustainable Fuel Producer LanzaJet
Credit: LanzaJet
British Airways (BA) plans to invest in a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant to be built in the U.S. and anticipates receiving 7,500 metric tonnes a year of low-carbon jet fuel from the facility beginning at the end of 2022.

AAPA Calls For Consistency In Global Vaccination Effort
Credit: Eva Air / Twitter
The eventual recovery in international air travel is at risk of being slowed if vaccination rates are allowed to lag behind in some countries, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).

Dutch Airport Operator Backs Sustainable-Fuel Projects
Credit: Climeworks
Two projects have been announced in the Netherlands with the goal of producing carbon-neutral synthetic jet fuel using renewable energy.

Icelandair Expects To Resume 737 MAX Operations This Spring
Credit: Icelandair
Icelandair will be ready to reintroduce its six Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft once extensive updates and pilot training are completed.
From Boeing warning the White House against the domestic testing proposal and NASA setting up civil hypersonic studies with Aerion and GE to BA investing in a sustainable fuel producer, LanzaJet. Take a look at the daily roundup of air transport news.
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