Aviation Daily Roundup: March 16, 2022

March 17, 2022

South African Carriers Remain Suspended

Credit: Boeing



South African airline Comair remained grounded for a fifth day March 16 as the country’s regulators continued to plow through paperwork intended to get the carrier back into the air. Comair, which also operates as British Airways in South Africa under a franchise agreement and as LCC Kulula.com, was first grounded—initially for a temporary 24-hour period—on March 12.




Heathrow, UK Airlines Start To Ease Pandemic Mask Rules

Credit: Adrian Dennis / AFP / Getty Images



In what may be seen as a harbinger of the end of the pandemic, London Heathrow has dropped the requirement for passengers and others to wear a face mask when traveling through the airport. The move was followed by two of the airport’s main users, British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic, saying they planned to start reducing the requirement for passengers to wear masks on board their aircraft.




Air Lease Maintaining ‘Good Relationships’ With Russian Customers

Credit: Airbus / Stefan Kruijer



Air Lease Corp. is maintaining “good communication” with its Russian customers and is confident that its leased aircraft will be returned, where necessary, and relationships with the carriers will leave room for future deals if the geopolitical environment permits such opportunities.




Dubai Airports, Amsterdam Schiphol Boost Cargo Capacity

Credit: dnata



In moves reinforcing the increasing importance of cargo consignments to the world’s airlines, Emirates SkyCargo is reactivating its “dual hub” freight policy in Dubai, while Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and ground services company Dnata have begun work on a major new freight building. Emirates SkyCargo, the air freight division of Emirates Airline, traditionally operated out of both Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC) airports.




Daily Memo: Should Emission Cuts Target Short-Haul Or Long-Haul First?

Credit: Heathrow Airport



A common perception, at least in Europe, is that long-haul flights generate half of commercial air transport’s CO2 emissions, despite their small proportion in aircraft movements. That is the position of Eurocontrol, the organization in charge of air traffic management in Europe. Therefore, prioritizing the use of sustainable aviation fuels for widebodies—those aircraft that cover long distances—makes sense, Eurocontrol argues.




Denmark Moves To Accelerate Renewable E-Fuels

Credit: Orsted



Citing the need to loosen Russia’s grip on Europe’s energy supply, Denmark’s government has announced a series of measures to accelerate the production of green fuels from renewable energy, including synthetic e-kerosene for aviation. Agreement to scale up “power-to-X” (PtX) production was reached by all of Denmark’s main political parties “in the shadow of the serious situation in Europe, where energy dependence and acceleration of green alternatives are more relevant than ever,” the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities said.




New Jersey Seeks Building Proposals For Airport Land

Credit: Atlantic County Economic Alliance



New Jersey authorities are seeking proposals from companies interested in developing a 400-acre parcel at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) for aviation facilities. The South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), which owns and operates ACY, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) from developers to finance, design, build and operate airside and landside facilities on the parcel, located in the airport’s northwest quadrant, framed by Runways 13 and 22. Electronic proposals are due by May 11 at 2 p.m. EDT.




Qantas Secures SAF Supply From Aemetis

Credit: Aemetis



Qantas is the latest airline to sign a long-term offtake agreement with U.S. sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) startup Aemetis. The Australian carrier has agreed to buy 35 million gal. over seven years under the deal, which is valued at $250 million including incentives.




EASA Suspends Russian Aircraft Certificates of Airworthiness

Credit: Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images



The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has outlined the details of how it is implementing EU sanctions against Russia and decided, among other things, to suspend certificates of airworthiness and put on hold all pending certification applications. The suspension of certificates includes those for parts, appliances, organizations and flight simulators, which will particularly affect a large number of MRO providers in Russia. The decision was published in a formal notice to stakeholders.




Norse Atlantic Delays Launch, Secures Gatwick Slots

Credit: Norse Atlantic Airways



orse Atlantic Airways, the Oslo (OSL)-based startup that plans low-fare transatlantic flights, has moved its launch back, citing high fuel prices. Meanwhile, the carrier has also gained slots at London Gatwick (LGW), which will allow Norse to operate UK-U.S. flights. The airline’s initial flights will be between Oslo and select U.S. cities.




Air Astana Looks To Compensate For Suspension Of Russia Flights

Credit: Airbus



Air Astana remains cautiously optimistic about being able to compensate customers for canceled flights to Russia as other destinations and markets open up. With the withdrawal of insurance coverage for commercial flights to, from and over the Russian Federation, Air Astana had to suspend flights to Russia as of March 11. The airline said it does not expect a solution to this problem in the short term.




Hydrogen Propulsion Pioneers UH2, H3 Join Forces

Credit: H3 Dynamics



Universal Hydrogen (UH2) and fuel-cell powertrain developer H3 Dynamics have partnered to develop zero-emission propulsion systems for unmanned aircraft, air taxis and new-design regional aircraft. UH2 will provide green hydrogen fuel logistics using its modular capsule technology while H3 will supply fuel-cell powertrains. The collaboration will focus initially on unmanned air vehicles from small drones to large cargo aircraft.




Collins To Provide Cargo System For Natilus Unmanned Freighter

Credit: Natilus



Collins Aerospace is to develop a specialized cargo loading system for the N3.8T large unmanned cargo aircraft under development by Natilus. The U.S. startup has begun construction of the tails for prototype N3.8T, aiming for first flight in 2023.




South African carriers remain suspended, UK Airlines start to ease pandemic mask rules and more. Take a look at the daily roundup of air transport news.

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