Aviation Daily Roundup: Jan. 4
January 05, 2021
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Set For January Launch
Credit: Wizz Air via Twitter
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a joint venture between the Hungarian ULCC and Abu Dhabi state holding company ADQ, will begin operations in January with flights from the emirate to Athens (ATH).

European Commission Green Lights State Support For Alitalia
Credit: Joe Pries
The European Commission (EC) has approved €73 million ($90 million) in Italian state support awarded to Alitalia to help the airline offset losses suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic between June and October 2020.

Qatar Airways Expands Codeshares, Moves Seattle Launch
Credit: Oman Air
Qatar Airways has signed expanded codeshare agreements with Oman Air and LATAM Airlines Brasil as it broadens its range of destinations through collaboration.

SilkAir Flies 737 MAX Back To Singapore Under Strict Conditions
Credit: Boeing
SilkAir removed its first Boeing 737-8 from deep storage in Alice Springs, Australia and flew the aircraft back to Singapore on Dec. 30, 2020.

Canada Adds COVID-19 Testing On Top Of Existing Quarantine Mandate
Credit: Air Canada / Twitter
Canada is adding another layer onto its travel restrictions through a requirement that all travelers entering the country must present a negative COVID-19 test while maintaining a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

France Plans Recapitalization For Air France-KLM, Transport Minister Says
Credit: Air France-KLM Group
France plans a recapitalization for Air France-KLM to help it face up to the post-COVID-19 operating environment, transport minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said Jan. 3.

Daily Memo: Europe’s Airlines Face 2021 Challenges Despite Vaccine
Credit: Brussels Airport
European air traffic is set to return to just 51% of 2019 levels in 2021 according to the latest forecast by the continent’s network manager Eurocontrol, highlighting the challenges European airlines face as the new year gets underway.

Rolls-Royce Considers UltraFan Development Pause
Credit: Rolls Royce
Rolls-Royce is indicating development of its next-generation UltraFan engine could be temporarily put on ice following completion of the on-going demonstrator program in 2022—pending the recovery of the international air transport market and the launch of new or re-engined airliner initiatives.

Air Serbia Recapitalization Hefts State Share, Dilutes Etihad Stake
Credit: Rob Finlayson
The Serbian government has increased its stake in Air Serbia to 82%, more than halving Etihad Airways’ shareholding to just 18%.

European, UK Airlines Put Brexit Plans Into Motion
Credit: Heathrow Airport / Twitter
European and UK airlines have rolled out a series of structural changes following the agreement by the UK and European Union (EU) on the terms of their future relationship.

A4A Backs Broader Testing In Lieu Of Travel Restrictions
Credit: United Airlines
Airlines For America (A4A) is urging the U.S. government to expand required testing of international airline travelers for COVID-19 and lessen restrictions on travel between the U.S. and foreign destinations.

Global A&D Stocks Drop 16% In 2020, Opposite Stock Index Gain
Credit: Boeing
The publicly traded aerospace and defense (A&D) sector saw its share prices fall 16% collectively in 2020, with commercial aerospace companies plummeting 21% and defense companies dropping 8%, according to Vertical Research Partners.
From the European Commission green-lighting state support for Alitalia and SilkAir flying its first Boeing 737-8 out of storage in Alice Springs to Europe's airlines facing 2021 challenges despite the vaccine. A daily roundup of air transport news.
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