Coronavirus

Viva Air is gearing up for further expansion in the Latin American market with the potential launch of a third airline, as well as the broadening of its Colombian domestic and international route network.

Latvian carrier airBaltic is exploring the potential of adding new medium and long-haul routes as the airline reshapes its network in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brussels Airlines is being further integrated into parent Lufthansa Group and the Belgian flag-carrier expects to play a more important role in Lufthansa’s hub system.

The governments of Singapore and Hong Kong have confirmed that the air travel bubble (ATB) between the two cities will be pushed “beyond December 2020” because of the high COVID-19 case counts in Hong Kong.

Australian airlines are ramping up their domestic fleets as interstate borders reopen, although prospects are more bleak for widebodies.

A total of $52 billion is expected to be spent on heavy airframe maintenance (C & D checks) over the next decade, with demand below average at a 1.3% CAGR.

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AVION EXPRESS, Lithuania launched financial restructuring process, which will include in-court protection from creditors.

TAP AIR PORTUGAL had €118.7m net loss for 3Q20 (vs €1.2m profit in 3Q19) on 81% lower revenues. It plans Dec 10 to submit restructuring plan to EC; it

LATAM AIRLINES GROUP plans to exit Chapter 11 in 2H21; it initiated voluntary reorganization and restructuring in May 2020.

JETBLUE AIRWAYS increased its projecting year-over-year capacity decline to 45-50% for 4Q20 due to volatile booking trends, resulting in an increased

EMIRATES expects to have all of its A380s in service by late 2021/early 2022; it has no idea when its first 777X will arrive.

AERO HYGENX, Canada is working with De Havilland Canada to develop RAY, an autonomous robot to deliver HF UVC light to disinfect Dash 8 cabins.

EMBRAER issued SB to install HEPA filters on ERJ 145s; kits for first 70 aircraft are currently being assembled and should be delivered by mid

Regional turboprop manufacturer ATR is ready to start training pilots on a new piece of commercial aviation safety equipment—an enhanced vision system (EVS) and accompanying head-mounted display.

AMERICAN AIRLINES says it tested transportation of thermal packaging in preparation to distribute COVID-19 vaccines.

CAE completed previously announced C$345m public offering (includes over-allotments) and C$150m private placement of common shares for aggregate gross

ETIHAD AIRWAYS plans December 7 to begin weekly Abu Dhabi-Beijing (787).

Lithuanian narrowbody wet-lease specialist Avion Express is seeking creditor protection as it battles the ongoing financial impact of the COVID-19 downturn.

US DOT reports 10 marketing carriers scheduled 345,294 domestic flights in September vs 398,470 in August 2020 and 660,712 in September 2019; 2,523 of

Munich Airport CEO Jost Lammers believes airlines could emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic with a more flexible approach to capacity planning, while airports will be forced to speed up their digitalization plans.

Defense officials have said UK plans to develop a laser directed energy weapon are “on-track” despite the program suffering a year-long delay.

Air traffic in Europe fell to 35.5% of 2019 levels in the week to Nov. 29, Eurocontrol figures showed, as COVID-19 travel restrictions and national lockdowns continued to affect demand for travel.

Australasian airlines have grounded almost all widebodies, but some carriers see opportunities post-COVID-19.

“It’s been a hard year, and people are tired of being pent-up. But we can’t let our guard down,” Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian says.