As far as positive signs go in 2020, a relative bright spot was the dearth of bankruptcies and clear exits from the aerospace and defense sector by small and medium-sized suppliers.
Ethiopian Airlines, DHL and African Electronic Trade Group (AeTrade Group) were among the first companies to transport cargo under the new African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which became operational on Jan. 1.
Amazon has purchased 11 used Boeing 767s from Delta Air Lines and WestJet, as the online retailer looks to expand the size of its cargo operation to accommodate surging e-commerce and global freight demand.
An investment fund formed last summer to support small and medium enterprises in the French aerospace sector has received an additional €100 million ($120 million) from the Credit Agricole banking group, thus bringing it closer to its goal of raising a total of €1 billion.
Nigerian domestic carrier Azman Air is planning to add another Airbus A340-600, three Boeing 737-800s and five regional aircraft, under an ambitious growth strategy for 2021.
The blockade imposed on the State of Qatar and consequently its flag-carrier Qatar Airways by neighbors including Saudi Arabia and the UAE has been lifted.
Morocco’s flag-carrier Royal Air Maroc has revived plans to add Dubai to its network, more than six years after last pulling the plug on a proposed route to the emirate.
Emirates Airline launched scheduled premium economy class services on Jan. 4 between Dubai (DXB) and London Heathrow (LHR) aboard its recently delivered Airbus A380.
China Eastern’s new subsidiary OTT Airlines is planning to launch at least five routes during the first quarter of 2021 as it seeks to gain a foothold in China’s domestic market.
The board of Vietnam Airlines has approved a proposal for the flag carrier to issue VND8 trillion ($346 million) worth of new shares to tide it over for 2021.
Airlines For America (A4A) is urging the U.S. government to expand required testing of international airline travelers for COVID-19 and lessen restrictions on travel between the U.S. and foreign destinations.
