Air Transport

Nigeria’s Azman Air has commenced its growth strategy plan of 2021 by adding three B737-800s to its fleet.

Russian cargo carrier Volga-Dnepr has begun returning its Antonov An-124 super heavy freighters to operation.

The COVID-19 crisis has dented Airbus’ and Boeing’s growth trajectories and boosted China’s quest to become an aerospace powerhouse.

From electric and autonomous tow vehicles to a rail system, alternative approaches to aircraft ground handling come into focus.

Management insists permanent structural change is needed whereas unions try to return to pre-crisis labor conditions as soon as possible.

The FAA on Jan. 6 announced a final rule that streamlines the application process for testing supersonic aircraft over land.

The FAA on Jan. 6 announced a final rule that streamlines the application process for testing supersonic aircraft over land.

A new ICAO pilot training panel prompted in part by the Boeing 737 MAX saga plans to start work in February, Aviation Week has learned.

UK LCC easyJet is rolling out a reduced schedule with the start of the latest English lockdown, while Aer Lingus has extended its flight suspension to England, Scotland and Wales until Jan. 8.

IATA is criticizing a decision by Canada’s government to add a testing requirement to mandatory quarantines in place, describing the decision as the “worst of both worlds.”

WORLD CARGO AIRLINES, Malaysia leased 737-800BCF (29052; ex-Aeromexico) from BBAM.

INVESTEC acquired two 2010-build 737-800s (37425; leased to XIAMEN AIRLINES/37954; leased to SHANDONG AIRLINES) from BOC Aviation.

WestJet said it plans to resume commercial Boeing 737 MAX operations on Jan. 21, pending clearance from Canadian regulators.

GOL carried 16.8m pax in 2020, down 54% from 36.4m in 2019. It flew 33% more domestic RPKs (international service is still suspended) in December vs

BOC AVIATION signed lease agreements for 12 aircraft in 4Q20 (vs 37 in 4Q19) and 102 in 2020 (vs 87 in 2019). It ended year with owned/managed

TSA screened 1.08m individuals at US airports on Monday, January 4; it was seventh of last 10 days of >1m pax.

AAPA members flew 5.2b RPKs in November, down 95.4% vs Nov 2019; capacity fell 87.5% to 17.4b ASKs. PLF was 29.7%.

In a major setback for an industry hoping for relaxed travel regulations the German government has decided to further reinforce travel restrictions.

LOONG AIR took delivery of new LEAP-powered A320-200neo (10397) on lease from AVIC Leasing.

MONTENEGRO AIRLINES suspended operations due it says lack of government support; it has three E195s and a Fokker 100.

Lessor BOC Aviation has reported a fairly stable year-on-year operational performance for 2020, while AerCap appeared to report a more significant drop in its full-year activity as COVID-19 took its toll.

Air New Zealand has expanded the number of quarantine-free routes it flies to Australia, although airlines are still waiting for a two-way bubble to emerge before a significant rebound in this market can occur.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to restore ties with Qatar, ending a blockade that has been in place for more than three years.

Ground handling giant Swissport is consolidating its activities in Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands, bringing them under the leadership of new CEO Thierry Miremont.

The Tata group’s purchase of a larger holding in joint venture AirAsia India (AAI) could help spur consolidation in the Indian airline industry as it rebounds from the COVID-19 crisis.