Coronavirus

AEROMaEXICO received bankruptcy court approval to reject certain lease agreements for 19 aircraft (10 737NGs/nine E170s), and four CF34-8E5s, and

LCC SpiceJet has been awarded designated-carrier status by the Indian government to serve the U.S. and the UK, a first step toward launching long-haul

Ask the Editors: Expanding preflight testing and contact tracing would boost passenger confidence in air travel safety.

The U.S. airline industry couldn’t survive another quarter like the 2020 second quarter (Q2).

THALES AEROSPACE lost €109m in 1H20 (vs €270m profit in 1H19) on 25.4% lower sales.

HONEYWELL AEROSPACE earned $528m in 2Q20 (vs $907m in 1Q19) on 28% lower sales.

Chinese airlines on July 23 achieved their highest level of activity since the COVID-19 pandemic began, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

Dubai-based Emirates Airline is now offering passengers free insurance cover for COVID-19 medical expenses and quarantine costs in a bid to boost traveler confidence.

Finnair sees its airline operations in September being 50% the size they were in the same month in 2019.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced cost-control strategies after recording a PHP9.4 billion ($184 million) loss for the first quarter (Q1) of 2020.

Icelandair Group’s 2020 second quarter (Q2) operations were significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which included sweeping travel bans and a massive decrease in demand.

Dassault Aviation is pressing ahead with the development of new business jets and the modernization of its factories in a bid to be prepared for the hoped-for recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic-induced downturn.

Spirit Airlines reached an agreement with Airbus to defer delivery of a host of A320neos, in a bid to preserve cash amid the industry downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Skyborne Airline Academy has ordered 10 all-electric light trainers from Bye Aerospace.

As aircraft interior companies search for new designs to ensure passengers that flying is safe, many have begun partnerships to address all three major concerns in the COVID-19-era aircraft cabin—anti-microbial surfaces, physical separation and respiratory protection.

A pair of French lawmakers are proposing a radical stimulus package to help the French aerospace and defense industry weather the novel coronavirus pandemic and likely economic crisis.

AIR TRANSAT restarted commercial service; it plans to operate reduced summer schedule to 20 destinations by August 2.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES raised additional S$750m in loans secured by certain A350-900s and 787-10s, and has now raised S$1.65b from secured financing since

IBA GROUP has identified >800 aircraft as subject to exit from their current airline fleets, of which 67% could be permanently retired.

EMBRAER concluded financing contracts totaling US$300m from five public/private banks to reinforce its cash position.

SPIRIT AIRLINES had $144.4m net loss in 2Q20 (vs $114.5m net profit in 2Q19) on 86% lower revenues, and ended quarter with total liquidity of $1.2b

ALASKA AIRLINES recorded $214m net loss in 2Q20 (vs $262m net profit in 2Q19) 82% lower revenues, and ended quarter with $2.8b in in unrestricted cash

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES had $915m net loss in 2Q20 (vs $741m net profit in 2Q19) on 82.9% lower revenues, and ended quarter with liquidity of $15.5b. It

AMERICAN AIRLINES had $2.1b net loss in 2Q20 (vs $662m net profit in 2Q19) on 86% lower revenues, and ended quarter with available liquidity of $10.2b

The announcement that four U.S. and European airline groups are calling for a common COVID-19 testing program that would allow them to restore more of their transatlantic networks highlights the importance of this sector to carriers on both sides of the Atlantic.