Air Transport

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is planning to fly 50% of its pre-COVID-19 traffic volumes in the summer season and hopes long-haul routes will play a crucial part in its recovery.

Ryanair cut its traffic forecast for the financial year to March 2021 and said it would reduce its flight schedules from later in January.

Malaysia Airlines appears to be inching closer to gaining approval from creditors for its sweeping debt restructuring plan.

Norwegian Air Shuttle said it was operating nine aircraft after “positive” Christmas bookings, representing a small improvement in its activities from the six aircraft it had been operating in previous weeks.

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.”

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

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

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.