Aviation Daily Roundup: Feb. 19-21, 2021
NTSB: Fan Blades Fractured In UAL 777 Engine Incident
Credit: Hayden Smith
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board confirmed late Feb. 21 that two fractured fan blades are among the damage found in its probe of a catastrophic engine failure which forced a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 to return to Denver International Airport on Feb. 20 shortly after takeoff.
AAPA: Cautious Optimism For Recovery But Harmonization Needed
Credit: Affinidi
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) is taking a three-pronged approach to the recovery of the air transport industry: widespread vaccination in both developed and developing countries, new border protocols that utilize the latest technology and keeping sight of sustainability.
Plastics-To-Fuels Firm To Produce Sustainable Aviation Kerosene
Credit: Clean Planet Energy
UK company Clean Planet Energy plans to produce sustainable aviation fuel at plants it is building to convert waste plastic into renewable fuels and chemicals.
Daily Memo: United Airlines Charting Its Own Course In Aircraft Retirements
Credit: Rob Finlayson
United Airlines’ strategy of opting to retire far fewer aircraft than its peers remains firmly intact as the carrier believes it is prudent to retain a certain level of flexibility during the industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
Volaris Foresees Better Conditions After Difficult First Quarter
Credit: Joe Pries
Despite a better performance than many airlines worldwide, Volaris is joining most operators in bracing for a tough first quarter (Q1) as conditions become more challenging.
Norwegian Startup Flyr Raises $71M Ahead Of Launch
Credit: Flyr
Norwegian start-up LCC Flyr, a project backed by industry veteran Erik Braathen, has raised NOK600 million ($70.7 million) through a private placement and will list on the Oslo Stock Exchange in March.
China’s New Year Passenger Volume Falls 70% In Muted Celebration
Credit: Rob Finlayson
The Chinese civil aviation carried only 3.57 million passengers during the seven-day Lunar New Year holiday.
American Airlines, JetBlue Outline New York, Boston Route Plans
Credit: Joe Pries
American Airlines and JetBlue Airways are launching the first phase of their partnership with the start of 33 new routes and codeshares on nearly 80 more from New York and Boston.
India Boeing 737 Fin Work Will Add To China, South Korea Production
Credit: Boeing India
Boeing says that its recently completed deal with Tata-Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) to build 737 vertical fins in India will augment rather than replace existing fin production in China and South Korea.
European Parliamentarians, Unions Urge Pause In Qatar Agreement
Credit: Rob Finlayson
Representatives of European pilots and members of the European Parliament have called for an “open skies” agreement between the EU and Qatar to be paused in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Atlas Air Expects Strong Freight Demand To Power First Quarter
Credit: Boeing
Atlas Air expects net income to surge in the 2021 first quarter (Q1), boosted by continued strong demand for air freight during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Airlines Push For U.S.-Venezuela Flights Restart
Credit: Aerolíneas Estelar
Miami-based Global Crossing Airlines Group (GlobalX) has signed a cooperation agreement with Venezuelan carrier Aerolíneas Estelar aimed at re-establishing nonstop routes between the U.S. and Venezuela.
Chorus Aviation Working To Keep Lease Portfolio Flying
Credit: Chorus Aviation
Chorus Aviation’s leasing arm has rent relief agreements in place with “substantially all” of its customers and reports that collections in the fourth quarter improved slightly over the previous three months.
Last Stop For British Airways’ Babybus
Credit: British Airways
LONDON—British Airways (BA) has disposed of the second and last of its Airbus A318s, with the aircraft being dispatched for scrapping in the Netherlands.
Singapore Helps Airlines Convert Pilots To Other Aircraft Types
Credit: Rob Finlayson
SINGAPORE—The government of Singapore is setting aside funds to help the country’s airlines carry out type conversions for their pilots.
Norwegian 737-8s, 787s Come Onto The Market
Credit: Joe Pries
A portfolio of 12 Boeing 737-8s and two Trent 1000-powered 787-9s, previously operated by Norwegian Air Shuttle, are being remarketed following the LCC’s financial difficulties and decision to scale back its operations.
Korean Air Develops Integration Plan For Asiana Merger
Credit: Rob Finlayson
In March, Korean Air plans to reveal more details about how it will integrate Asiana Airlines after their merger and how the airline will combine its expanded stable of LCCs.
Flydubai Plans For 737 MAX Return To Service
Credit: Boeing
Gulf LCC flydubai is preparing for the return to service of its Boeing 737 MAX fleet after the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) gave the go-ahead for the type to operate once again.
Nigeria Startups Prepare To Launch Amid Pandemic
Credit: United Nigeria Airlines
New domestic Embraer ERJ-145 operator United Nigeria Airlines launched on Feb. 12, with the aim of becoming the most efficient airline in Nigeria.
From the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board confirming two fractured fans are among the damage in UAL 777 engine incident to Norwegian startup, Flyr, raising $71m ahead of launch, take a look at the daily roundup of air transport news.
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