Aviation Daily Roundup: October 28

U.S. carriers have retired hundreds of jets ahead of schedule due to the global slump in commercial air travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

South African regional airline Airlink has emphasized the end of its long-term links to flag-carrier South African Airways (SAA) with a subtle name change.

Top-tier manufacturers and suppliers are not banking on a quick commercial aftermarket rebound, financial figures and commentary from 2020 third-quarter (Q3) earnings calls underscore.

Continuing its company-wide retrenchment in the face of ongoing market uncertainty, Boeing is sticking to its earlier announced plans to slash widebody production rates by 50% by 2021 while simultaneously hoping to gradually restore 737 production to 31 per month by the start of 2022.

Hawaiian Airlines is pushing back its Boeing 787 deliveries due to a weaker long-term demand outlook, although the short-term picture is beginning to improve as quarantine restrictions ease in key markets.

Finnair has increased its cost-savings target by a further €40 million ($47 million) and is in talks with Airbus to defer delivery of its three remaining Airbus A350s on order, after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic more than tripled the Oneworld carrier’s third-quarter net loss

Lithuania-based Heston Aviation plans to launch an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) operation in early 2021.

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) has opened the latest portion of its $4.1 billion expansion project: a new concourse that will house 21 gates serving seven airlines.

Sun Country Airlines CEO Jude Bricker said the carrier’s flexible route network and cargo-handling deal with Amazon have enabled it to remain resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic.