Aviation Daily Roundup: Jan. 15-18
January 19, 2021
Daily Memo: Aviation, Aerospace And Defense Suppliers Better Get Cyber-Secure In 2021
Credit: IATA
June 2019 started off well for Belgium-based Asco Industries. The European Commission had just granted approval for the Airbus parts supplier to be acquired by Wichita-based Spirit AeroSystems. But then the family-owned company got hit by a cyberattack that took it offline for a week—as in, the entire company shut down—and the Spirit takeover started being delayed.
Support Scheme For English Airports Set To Launch
Credit: London Heathrow Airport
Airports in England are set to receive financial support from the British government under a new scheme, the launch of which coincides with more stringent COVID-19 travel restrictions coming into force in the country.
States, Environmental Groups Sue EPA Over New U.S. CO2 Standard
Credit: Fabrice Coffrini / Getty Images
WASHINGTON—Environmental groups have joined with 12 U.S. states and the District of Columbia to file a lawsuit challenging adoption of the first CO2 standards for aircraft, arguing they will not reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aviation.
Innsbruck Airport To Close For Major Runway Renovation
Credit: Kurt Hofmann
SALZBURG, Austria—Austria’s Innsbruck Airport (INN) is set to close in September for four weeks to allow a major renovation of its 2,000 m (6,562 ft.) runway.
Investors Buy Controlling Stake In Israir Airlines
Credit: Joe Pries
A 51% stake in Tel Aviv-based Israir Airlines has been sold to BGI Investments, a firm controlled by supermarket tycoon Rami Levy and food trader Shalom Haim.
UK To Close All Air-Travel Corridors As New Viral Strains Threaten
Credit: Heathrow Airport / Twitter
LONDON—All UK travel corridors will close starting early morning Jan. 18 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
South Korea’s Eastar Jet Files For Court-Led Restructuring
Credit: Joe Pries
South Korean LCC Eastar Jet has become the latest carrier to launch a rehabilitation process through the bankruptcy court in an effort to emerge with stronger financial backing.
Air New Zealand Adds Cook Islands Flights
Credit: Cook Islands Airports
Fresh from expanding the number of quarantine-free routes flying to Australia, Air New Zealand is set to restart Cook Islands services.
Volotea Retires Last European Boeing 717 Fleet
Credit: Volotea
Spanish LCC Volotea ended commercial operations with its remaining eight Boeing 717-200s on Jan. 10 after nearly a decade of service with the Barcelona-based carrier.
COMAC, Air China Group Parent Among Companies On U.S. Blacklist
Credit: COMAC
Air China parent company China National Aviation Holding, manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) and Grand China Air are among nine Chinese companies blacklisted Jan. 14 by the U.S. Defense Department (DOD) for their alleged relationships with the Chinese military.
France Tightens Up COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
Credit: Paris Aéroport
PARIS—France has set out new stricter travel measures in an attempt to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, requiring arrivals to the country from outside the EU to take a COVID-19 test both before departure and after a period of self-isolation on arrival.
Air China, Sichuan Airlines Win International Route Approvals
Credit: Nigel Howarth / Aviation Week
Air China and Sichuan Airlines have each been given the green light to begin new international routes. The Civil Aviation Administration of China’s (CAAC) latest round of route approvals includes Air China’s plans for a Beijing Capital (PEK)-Chengdu (CTU)-Johannesburg (JNB) service. Flights would be 2X-weekly.
Indonesia Orders Inspections Of 737 Classics As Crash Probe Continues
Credit: Sriwijaya Air
The Indonesian ministry of transport has ordered the inspection of all Boeing 737 Classics in the country—consisting of 737-300, -400 and -500 variants—following the crash of Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182.
New Leasing Platform Eyes Young Narrowbodies
Credit: Heathrow Airport
A new $1.5 billion leasing platform called KLA Aviation Finance is being formed, through a strategic partnership between opportunistic investor Kennedy Lewis and aircraft management specialist Arena Aviation Capital.
Wizz Air To Raise €500M From Bonds Market; Norwegian To Issue Shares
Credit: Wizz Air / Twitter
Central and Eastern European carrier Wizz Air is set to issue its first bonds, adding a further €500 million ($607.5 million) to its already strong liquidity position.
As airports in England are set to receive financial support from the government following the new COVID-19 travel restrictions, over in the U.S., environmental groups have joined with 12 states to sue EPA over new CO2 standards. Take a look at the daily roundup of air transport news.
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