The Month In Air Transport: March 2021
April 02, 2021![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/sustain_ampaire-promo.jpeg?itok=Pv-QaNeD)
10. ANALYSIS: Hybridize To Revitalize
To many, Surf Air Mobility’s acquisition of hybrid-electric aircraft pioneer Ampaire may seem to be small news. Neither company is a household name. But if their plans succeed, the deal could prove to be a milestone for regional aviation and electric aircraft.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/1_-_cathay_pacific_february_2019.jpeg?itok=eJ8f-nAM)
9. Gallery: Networks Maps: Then And Now
With COVID-19 reshaping the world’s skies, we take a look at some of the key networks and market pairs that have been affected by the pandemic.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/screenshot_2021-03-05_at_17.03.08.png?itok=UDNdDg2e)
8. Webinar: COVID-19: One Year Later
One year later, join leading Aviation Week specialists in commercial aviation, MRO, business aviation, supply chain and defense as they provide a sector-by-sector breakout on how the coming recovery could unfold.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/ate10-2_martin-bureau-afp-getty-images-promo.jpeg?itok=nGlootPs)
7. Do Countries Plan To Reopen Borders As COVID-19 Vaccinations Progress?
Governments have offered numerous plans to reopen borders, but they have been forced to revise them many times since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/4_-_starlux_airlines_-_airbus.jpeg?itok=Cm7K-6pX)
6. Gallery: Airline Startups: Those That Failed, Those That Survived
Here is a look at the fleets and fates of some airlines launched in the last 20 years.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/cabindesign_factorydesign-promo.jpeg?itok=tnN-Rx0C)
5. ANALYSIS: New Cabin Designs Aim To Restore Passenger Confidence
Boosting passenger confidence and creating a sense of well-being aboard the aircraft are priorities of cabin interior specialists as the industry slowly recovers from the pandemic crisis.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/aerion.png?itok=lw1fkRAz)
4. Aerion Unveils AS3 Mach 4-Plus Airliner Concept
Supersonic business jet developer Aerion has released the first image of a planned follow-on airliner concept designed for entry-into-service around the end of the decade which will cruise at higher Mach cruise numbers closer to the hypersonic region.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/5_-_boeing_737_max_-_joe_pries.jpeg?itok=OtzFK4ax)
3. Gallery: A Field Guide To Identifying Popular Airliner Species
To the uninitiated, and sometimes even to the experienced observer, the plethora of twin-engine, low-wing designs can make identification a challenge, regardless of differences in size and style.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/ate12-2_boeing_promo.jpeg?itok=hKWq_LUb)
2. Could A Rewinged, Reengined 737 MAX Compete With The A321XLR?
In a word, no. Here’s why: The baseline 737 configuration has proved to be remarkably resilient for a 55-year-old design with 13 major derivatives and more than 10,500 deliveries and counting since 1967.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/ai09_airbus_promo.jpeg?itok=9vqJSD_q)
1. Opinion: Boeing’s Project Means Work For Airbus Strategists
Conventional wisdom had it that Boeing’s recent woes would keep it from being able to afford developing an all-new aircraft in the foreseeable future, even if it were strikingly necessary.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/sustain_ampaire-promo.jpeg?itok=Pv-QaNeD)
10. ANALYSIS: Hybridize To Revitalize
To many, Surf Air Mobility’s acquisition of hybrid-electric aircraft pioneer Ampaire may seem to be small news. Neither company is a household name. But if their plans succeed, the deal could prove to be a milestone for regional aviation and electric aircraft.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/1_-_cathay_pacific_february_2019.jpeg?itok=eJ8f-nAM)
9. Gallery: Networks Maps: Then And Now
With COVID-19 reshaping the world’s skies, we take a look at some of the key networks and market pairs that have been affected by the pandemic.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/screenshot_2021-03-05_at_17.03.08.png?itok=UDNdDg2e)
8. Webinar: COVID-19: One Year Later
One year later, join leading Aviation Week specialists in commercial aviation, MRO, business aviation, supply chain and defense as they provide a sector-by-sector breakout on how the coming recovery could unfold.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/ate10-2_martin-bureau-afp-getty-images-promo.jpeg?itok=nGlootPs)
7. Do Countries Plan To Reopen Borders As COVID-19 Vaccinations Progress?
Governments have offered numerous plans to reopen borders, but they have been forced to revise them many times since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/4_-_starlux_airlines_-_airbus.jpeg?itok=Cm7K-6pX)
6. Gallery: Airline Startups: Those That Failed, Those That Survived
Here is a look at the fleets and fates of some airlines launched in the last 20 years.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/cabindesign_factorydesign-promo.jpeg?itok=tnN-Rx0C)
5. ANALYSIS: New Cabin Designs Aim To Restore Passenger Confidence
Boosting passenger confidence and creating a sense of well-being aboard the aircraft are priorities of cabin interior specialists as the industry slowly recovers from the pandemic crisis.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/aerion.png?itok=lw1fkRAz)
4. Aerion Unveils AS3 Mach 4-Plus Airliner Concept
Supersonic business jet developer Aerion has released the first image of a planned follow-on airliner concept designed for entry-into-service around the end of the decade which will cruise at higher Mach cruise numbers closer to the hypersonic region.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/5_-_boeing_737_max_-_joe_pries.jpeg?itok=OtzFK4ax)
3. Gallery: A Field Guide To Identifying Popular Airliner Species
To the uninitiated, and sometimes even to the experienced observer, the plethora of twin-engine, low-wing designs can make identification a challenge, regardless of differences in size and style.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/ate12-2_boeing_promo.jpeg?itok=hKWq_LUb)
2. Could A Rewinged, Reengined 737 MAX Compete With The A321XLR?
In a word, no. Here’s why: The baseline 737 configuration has proved to be remarkably resilient for a 55-year-old design with 13 major derivatives and more than 10,500 deliveries and counting since 1967.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2021-04/ai09_airbus_promo.jpeg?itok=9vqJSD_q)
1. Opinion: Boeing’s Project Means Work For Airbus Strategists
Conventional wisdom had it that Boeing’s recent woes would keep it from being able to afford developing an all-new aircraft in the foreseeable future, even if it were strikingly necessary.
Does Boeing's project mean work for Airbus strategists, could a rewinged, reengined 737 MAX compete with the A321XLR and how will the coming recovery unfold in Air Transport and MRO to business aviation and aerospace? Take a look at our roundup of the biggest stories in March.