Aviation Daily Roundup: Jan. 6, 2021
January 07, 2021
Daily Memo: Lufthansa Faces Huge Problems In Planned Transformation
Credit: Lufthansa
Late last year, just before the holiday break, German pilot union Vereinigung Cockpit and Lufthansa Group had some news to share. The pilots agreed to forgo planned salary raises and to extend by one year the short-time work scheme that is largely funded by the federal government and that aims to keep people employed across the economy.

South Korea’s T’Way Aims For Longer International Routes With A330s
Credit: T'Way Air
South Korean LCC T’Way Air has confirmed plans to add Airbus A330s to its fleet late in 2022, allowing it to extend its network reach.

Tata Boosts Airline Portfolio With Larger AirAsia India Stake
Credit: AirAsia India
The Tata group’s purchase of a larger holding in joint venture AirAsia India (AAI) could help spur consolidation in the Indian airline industry as it rebounds from the COVID-19 crisis.

Swissport Consolidates European Units Under New Ownership
Credit: Swissport
Ground handling giant Swissport is consolidating its activities in Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands, bringing them under the leadership of new CEO Thierry Miremont.

Eastern Airlines Launches New South American Route
Credit: Eastern Airlines
Eastern Airlines has launched a 2X-weekly flight between Miami International (MIA) and Asunción (ASU), adding direct service to Paraguay’s capital city.

Air New Zealand Expands Quarantine-Free Flights To Australia
Credit: Air New Zealand / Twitter
Air New Zealand has expanded the number of quarantine-free routes it flies to Australia, although airlines are still waiting for a two-way bubble to emerge before a significant rebound in this market can occur.

AerCap, BOC Aviation Reveal Full-Year Figures For 2020
Credit: BOC Aviation
Lessor BOC Aviation has reported a fairly stable year-on-year operational performance for 2020, while AerCap appeared to report a more significant drop in its full-year activity as COVID-19 took its toll.

Analysis: Qatar Airways Set To Benefit From End Of Blockade
Credit: Qatar Airways
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to restore ties with Qatar, ending a blockade that has been in place for more than three years.

WestJet Plans To Resume 737 MAX Flights Jan. 21
Credit: Rob Finlayson
WestJet said it plans to resume commercial Boeing 737 MAX operations on Jan. 21, pending clearance from Canadian regulators.

Germany Tightens Travel Restrictions Further
Credit: Munich Airport / Twitter
In a major setback for an industry hoping for relaxed travel regulations the German government has decided to further reinforce travel restrictions.

IATA Slams Canada’s New Testing Requirement
Credit: Toronto Pearson Airport / Twitter
IATA is criticizing a decision by Canada’s government to add a testing requirement to mandatory quarantines in place, describing the decision as the “worst of both worlds.”

New ICAO Pilot-Training Panel Set To Convene
Credit: Nigel Howarth / AWST
A new ICAO pilot training panel prompted in part by the Boeing 737 MAX saga plans to start work in February, Aviation Week has learned.

UK COVID-19 Situation Prompts Further Measures
Credit: Heathrow Airport
UK LCC easyJet is rolling out a reduced schedule with the start of the latest English lockdown, while Aer Lingus has extended its flight suspension to England, Scotland and Wales until Jan. 8.
As Lufthansa faces huge problems in planned transformation, Air New Zealand expands quarantine-free flights to Australia and Qatar Airways is set to benefit from the end of the blockade. Take a look at the daily roundup of air transport news.
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