Aviation Daily Roundup: March 25

Virgin Australia Group plans to stand down 80% of its workforce as the carrier cuts almost all of its domestic flights.

Regional turboprop manufacturer ATR, following a pause in its activities for four days last week, is resuming production at its Toulouse final assembly line.

The UK government has effectively told the country’s airlines they must exhaust all avenues to shore up their cash reserves and protect their liquidity before turning to the country’s treasury for assistance.

London City Airport is ceasing operations until the end of April after seeing flight schedules slashed in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Air Canada and its pilots have agreed to cost-cutting moves that include reduced pay, modified retirement terms and up to 600 layoffs, the Air Canada Pilots Association said.

Amid signs that Boeing is hoping to resume production of the 737 MAX in May the company says flight tests of the three current versions of the model, the -7, -8 and -9, are continuing despite the general shutdown of its Puget Sound facilities because of the coronavirus.

Brazil’s Embraer is analyzing how to start manufacturing ventilators and respirators, replacing components in imported ventilators, and developing filter systems to transform regular beds into intensive care units, the company announced on Mar. 25.

United Arab Emirates commercial passenger flights are now suspended until 11:59 p.m. local time Apr. 7, after the government accelerated its previously announced flight lockdown.

U.S. Senators and the Trump Administration reached a preliminary accord that would send U.S. carriers $61 billion in grants and loans to survive an extended period of anemic air travel demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Africa announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown aimed at combating the spread of COVID-19, triggering the suspension of operations by the country’s airlines.

China will strengthen its air cargo industry under a new policy that includes encouraging mergers with logistics companies and expanding aircraft fleets.