Aviation Daily Roundup: Nov. 18

ST Engineering Splits Portfolio Into Commercial, Defense

Credit: ST Engineering

Singapore Technologies Engineering will be simplifying its portfolio into commercial and defense divisions, replacing the sector-centric aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine entities.

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FAA Issues Final 737 MAX Return-To-Service Requirements

Credit: FAA

The FAA on Nov. 18 rescinded its ban on Boeing 737 MAX operations, releasing text of an airworthiness directive that codifies the steps airlines must follow before their MAXs can fly again.

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Virgin Australia Relaunches, Outlines Product Changes

Credit: Virgin Australia via Twitter

Virgin Australia has emerged from voluntary administration with a new CEO and a revised business model that retains most core elements while making significant adjustments.

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COVID-19 ‘Market Dislocation’ Causes SMBC Profits To Plummet

Credit: SMBC Aviation Capital

Aircraft lessor SMBC Aviation Capital’s interim pre-tax profit for the first half has fallen to $17.3 million—less than a tenth of the $200 million profit the company posted for H1 2019.

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Kenya Airways Suspends JV With Air France-KLM

Credit: Rob Finlayson

Kenya Airways has temporarily stepped back from its joint venture with Air France-KLM because of a lack of schedule predictability amid the COVID-19 crisis.

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Lufthansa Names New CEOs For SWISS, Brussels Airlines, Cargo

Credit: Lufthansa Group

Lufthansa announced new CEOs for subsidiaries SWISS International Air Lines, Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo on Nov. 18.

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Croatian Government Eyes Cash Infusion For National Carrier

Credit: Croatia Airlines / D. Fabijanic

The Croatian government plans to pump in funding to help national carrier Croatia Airlines weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Norwegian Files For Protection After Government Refuses More Aid

Credit: Norwegian Airlines / Twitter

Norwegian Air Shuttle is entering a form of bankruptcy protection following a Norwegian government decision not to offer it any more financial aid.

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United Unfazed By Southwest Moves In Chicago O’Hare, Houston

Credit: Southwest Airlines

United Airlines is not too concerned about Southwest Airlines’ recent decision to launch flights from Houston Intercontinental and Chicago O’Hare, concluding that its position in those hubs continues to be a point of strength. 

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U.S. Airlines Diverge On 737 MAX Return-To-Service Timelines

Credit: Rob Finlayson

U.S. carriers announced plans to return the Boeing 737 MAX to commercial service following news of the model’s ungrounding, but time lines for resuming commercial operations vary.

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Daily Memo: Can Suppliers Win A Market Share Battle Between Airbus, Boeing?

Credit: Spirit AeroSystems

When Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun acknowledged in October that the Chicago-based OEM had lost narrowbody market share to its European rival, it was a foregone conclusion.

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Air Arabia In Talks For Government Support

Credit: Air Arabia

LCC Air Arabia has welcomed the offer of financial support from the UAE government as it battles the stresses of COVID-19.

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Delta Air Lines To Continue Blocking Middle Seats Through March 2021

Credit: Delta Air Lines / Twitter

Delta Air Lines became the only U.S. carrier to commit to blocking off middle seats into next year, as the airline announced plans to continue restricting narrowbody load factors to 60% through March 30, 2021.

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Airbus, Safran CEOs Cry Foul Over Europe’s Travel Mess

Credit: ACI Europe

The heterogeneous health and safety requirements passengers face when trying to travel within Europe are badly hurting the entire commercial aviation industry, the CEOs of two major OEMs are saying.

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FAA Will Use Launch Vehicle Tracking System In 2021

Credit: FAA

The FAA next year will begin using live telemetry data from commercial space vehicles to determine the extent of airspace it needs to protect during launch and re-entry operations.

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