Aviation Daily Roundup: March 20
March 20, 2020![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2020-03/airnewzealand_747-400_zk-nbv_lax_1110b_jp_small_0.jpg?itok=ulXtav2y)
Air New Zealand Receives $520M Government Loan
Credit: Joe Pries
New Zealand’s government has become the latest to introduce a significant airline support package, agreeing to provide a NZ$900 million ($520 million) loan facility to Air New Zealand.
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Cathay Pacific Cuts 96% Capacity; HK Express To Suspend Flying
Credit: Joe Pries
Cathay Pacific Group’s April and May capacity will be reduced to just 4% of its normal total following plunging demand and a widening list of travel restrictions following the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
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Editorial: Why Coronavirus Cannot Kill Aviation
Credit: Maxar Technologies
Not long ago, the biggest concern facing commercial aviation was whether Airbus and Boeing could produce enough aircraft to keep up with demand. Industry leaders fretted about how quickly they could ramp up production and whether the supply chain could keep pace. Some airlines were equally bullish, with American Airlines CEO Doug Parker proclaiming: “I don’t think we’re ever going to lose money again.”
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Airlines Strike Back At EU261 Changes As Insufficient
Credit: European Commission
Three major airline bodies have voiced their dismay at the European Commission (EC) response to the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, which has left cash-strapped airlines potentially facing unlimited passenger care and assistance bills.
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Fiji Airways, Thai Lion Air Suspend Operations
Credit: Oneworld
Fiji Airways and Thai Lion Air are the latest Asia-Pacific airlines to halt almost all service because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Farnborough, RIAT Canceled Due To COVID-19
Credit: https://www.farnboroughairshow.com/
Organizers of July’s Farnborough International Airshow and the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) have decided to cancel the events in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Credit: Flexjet
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Thomas Cook Collapse Left $180M Burden On UK Taxpayer
Credit: Thomas Cook
British taxpayers have so far paid £156 million ($180 million) responding to the collapse of leisure company and airline Thomas Cook.
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FAA Increasingly Relying On ATC Contingency Plans
Credit: Joe Pries
The FAA is increasingly relying on contingency plans for its air traffic control (ATC) facilities as novel coronavirus infections have been detected at several airport towers and one of the 22 air route traffic control centers (ARTCC) responsible for managing en route aircraft.
A daily roundup of air transport news.
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