Southwest Airlines estimates having enough liquidity to survive another two years at current demand levels, positioning it to challenge the “Big 3” U.S. carriers for domestic market share through an anticipated COVID-19 recovery.
Airports Council International Europe has criticized IATA’s call for an extension to slot-rule waivers, calling it premature and warning it could have negative consequences on air connectivity and economic recovery.
China Eastern Airlines will set up a base company at Xiamen, with the aim of supporting the city’s ambition to develop as an international hub for southeastern China.
An increase in consumer interest in flights to leisure resorts has encouraged ULCC Norwegian to restore no fewer than 76 routes to its network next month and more than double the number of aircraft in service.
Lufthansa warned June 17 that it may have to file for a protective shield insolvency restructuring process if an extraordinary shareholder meeting does not approve the proposed €9 billion ($10.1 billion) state-aid package on June 25.
Thai Vietjet is planning to launch five new services later this year, increasing its domestic flight network to 12 routes that will connect 11 destinations across Thailand.
A bipartisan U.S. Senate bill targeting FAA certification improvements places substantial emphasis on human-factors research and funding, echoing several reports produced in the wake of the Boeing 737 MAX accidents and subsequent grounding.
Foreign carriers including Air France, Air New Zealand and U.S. airlines have received permission from Shanghai’s main airport to resume international services to the city.
Lithuania’s transport minister hopes to establish a virtual airline—which operates under its own brand, but wet-leases in capacity—within the next six months to aid the Baltic state’s COVID-19 recovery.
Last quarter, Amazon grew its year-over-year sales 26%. The percentage was slightly higher in its key North American market that generates 60% of its business.
Nearly all the major U.S. carriers will crack down on lapses in mask-wearing in flight, putting rigor on previously toothless policies that drew widespread criticism for lack of enforcement.
IATA wants countries to mutually recognize and accept COVID-19 tests on passengers performed within 24 hours of their flight rather than institute lengthy quarantines on incoming travelers.
In view of the uncertain aviation landscape and how standards might change post-COVID-19, Singapore Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said construction of the Changi Airport Terminal 5 mega project will be halted for at least two years.
EasyJet has agreed to new delivery dates for 32 Airbus A320-family aircraft and secured an extension on its purchase and deferral rights, in light of the COVID-19 crisis.
Satellite communications provider Inmarsat and Altitude Angel announced a partnership to develop a “pop-up” traffic management system for small drones.
Azul Brazilian Airlines and LATAM Airlines Brazil have signed a codeshare agreement initially to connect 50 non-overlapping routes in their respective domestic networks.
IATA is calling for governments to extend their slot rule waivers through the winter timetable, as airlines are only beginning to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
French airline Corsair retired its last Boeing 747—and the last of its type operating in France—on June 15, as the airline accelerates its plan to switch to an all-Airbus A330 fleet.
