Aviation Daily Roundup: Mar. 24, 2021
March 25, 2021
ALPA Bullish On NextGen Avionics Equipage Program
Credit: Nigel Howarth / Aviation Week
WASHINGTON—Biden administration officials are receptive to industry suggestions that some type of support for avionics upgrades will benefit the U.S. aviation system by allowing more aircraft to leverage new, efficient air traffic control procedures, the head of the largest pilots’ association said.

WestJet To Restore Service To Five Atlantic Canada Airports
Credit: Boeing
WestJet said it will restart passenger services at five Atlantic airports as Canadian airlines prepare for a hoped-for air travel recovery this summer.

Nigerian Government Suspends Emirates Services
Credit: Rob Finlayson
The Nigerian government has suspended services by Emirates Airline in and out of the West African country in a row over COVID-19 requirements, according to multiple reports in the nation’s media.

Daily Memo: Cabin Technology Firms Sense Post-Pandemic Opportunities
Credit: Gil Cohen-Magen / AFP / Getty Images
Cabin and technology specialists believe the latest anti-viral solutions could reassure passengers as they gradually return to the skies following the coronavirus crisis.

RwandAir Completes Staff Vaccination
Credit: Rob Finlayson
Central African carrier RwandAir reported March 24 that it has become the first airline on the continent to vaccinate all personnel against the coronavirus.

Agility Prime Funds ESTOL Active Landing Gear Tests
Credit: Metro Hop
A novel active landing gear designed by electric aircraft startup Metro Hop to enable ultrashort takeoffs and landings is to be tested under the U.S. Air Force’s Agility Prime advanced air mobility program.

Thai Carriers Urge Early Reopening Of Borders
Credit: Rob Finlayson
The Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) is hoping the country’s government will move forward its border reopening plan from October to July, together with a “tourism sandbox” currently planned for Phuket, the Bangkok Post reports.

Aer Lingus Sets Launch Date For UK Transatlantic Routes
Credit: Aer Lingus
MANCHESTER, England—Aer Lingus will begin its inaugural transatlantic services from the UK in July, launching an initial three routes from Manchester (MAN) this year with a fourth to follow in 2022.

Ryanair Bets On Summer Vacation Rebound
Credit: Nigel Howarth / Aviation Week
Ryanair has confirmed its summer schedule from the UK, from where the ULCC intends to operate more than 2,300 weekly flights across 480 routes.

Volotea To Open Olbia Base; EasyJet And Wizz Respond
Credit: Emanuele Perrone / Getty Images
Spanish LCC Volotea has confirmed plans to open a new base at Olbia (OLB) in Sardinia this summer, prompting a response from rivals easyJet and Wizz Air.

Autonomy Startups Team Up To Target Commercial Aircraft
Credit: Daedalean
Machine learning specialist Daedalean and autonomous system developer Reliable Robotics have partnered to build advanced navigation and situational awareness systems for commercial aircraft.

China Airlines Sees Further Profit In Expanding Freight Operations
Credit: Rob Finlayson
China Airlines is looking to strengthen its foothold in air cargo operations, increasing frequencies and adding new destinations in Asia and Europe.

FACC CEO Predicts Long Downturn In Widebody Production Rates
Credit: FACC
SALZBURG, Austria—The CEO of Austrian aerospace supplier FACC does not see widebody production rates returning to 2019 levels until the end of the decade.
ALPA bullish on NextGen avionics equipage program, WestJet to restore service to five Atlantic Canada airports and cabin technology firms sense post-pandemic opportunities. Take a look at the daily roundup of air transport news.
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