Acting U.S. Navy Secretary Thomas Modly resigned April 7 after a recording revealed that Modley called the USS Theodore Roosevelt’s fired captain “naïve or stupid.”

The U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) has finalized its order spelling out minimum service levels for carriers receiving federal aid, adding greater flexibility for ULCCs and smaller airlines while sticking to the general goal of preserving connectivity for all regions during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Trump Administration has asked Congress for an additional $250 billion in small-business payroll loan funding, providing more cash to the coronavirus pandemic emergency funding program that many small aerospace suppliers are expected to tap. 

Icelandair Group has appointed three financial advisors to strengthen the company’s long-term capital, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the airline to cut its flight schedule to just 10% of normal operations.

Howmet Aerospace, formerly the aviation and defense-focused assets under the Arconic brand, said April 6 it will work to save about $100 million in costs as its OEM customers halt production of large commercial aircraft due to COVID-19 fallout.

Lufthansa decided April 7 to make deep cuts to its future fleet, repositioning it to becoming an airline around 20% smaller than before the coronavirus pandemic crisis. 

Alaska Airlines plans to maintain flights to all points it currently serves in Alaska as well as bringing forward the launch of seasonal routes to Dillingham (DLG) and King Salmon (AKN) after the demise of RavnAir Alaska.

The government of Latvia has tentatively approved a €36.1 million ($39 million) treasury loan for Riga-based airBaltic and could make further funds available if the COVID-19 crisis continues.