Aviation Daily Roundup: September 28

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will not refit its SilkAir Boeing 737-800s with new lie-flat business class seats, as the regional unit reintegrates with the parent carrier.

Aegean Airlines CEO Dimitris Gerogiannis is facing the “most challenging and least predictable winter ever” after the airline posted a €158.8 million ($184.7 million) net loss for the first half of 2020.

French maritime transport and logistics specialist CMA CGM has agreed to take a stake in Groupe Dubrueil Aero, the parent company of Air Caraïbes and French bee, with an eye on the air freight sector.

GE Aviation’s GE9X, the largest aircraft engine yet developed, has received FAA certification, marking a major step toward entry-into-service on the Boeing 777-9, the first of the 777X family, in 2022.

South African LCC Mango is in “sensitive” talks with maintenance provider South African Airways Technical (SAAT), triggering questions over the airline’s continued operations.

On the front lines of pandemic risk reduction, the aircraft cabin is getting its fair share of attention. From highlighting existing technology such as HEPA filter-equipped air purification systems to special light-emitting treatments that kill viruses between flights, the onboard arena is not being ignored.

A combination of exceptional items, namely the COVID-19 pandemic, the continuing diplomatic row with surrounding nations, new accountancy standards and the failure of one of its airline investments, helped push Qatar Airways Group to a net loss of QAR 7 billion ($1.9 billion) for the 2019-20 financial year.

Tajikistan’s Somon Air is mulling the possibility of adding the currently grounded Boeing 737 MAX to its fleet, 15 months after pulling out of a deal to lease the narrowbody.

Drone delivery system developer Matternet has announced a partnership with Japan Airlines (JAL) to demonstrate the transport of medical supplies by drone in Tokyo.

Air fares between major northern and southern European markets have been tracking 15% lower for the September to December period, according to booking-data analyst ForwardKeys.

Pilots at United Airlines ratified a deal that would avoid planned furloughs in the next several months, pushing off any possible involuntary actions until mid-2021 if the U.S. Congress does not provide additional support for the country’s airline industry.

Mexican ULCC Volaris continues to see opportunities in the coronavirus crisis to build on its already-strong position in the domestic market as some of its competitors rightsize.

Aeromar is poised to open a second service to the U.S. over the coming days—one of three new routes being launched in October—as the Mexico City-based carrier rebuilds and reshapes its network in response to travel demand.