Air Transport

As airlines explore many strategies to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 new reality, Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker believes it is inside the cabin that ultimately makes the difference in boosting passenger confidence to fly again.

VIRGIN ATLANTIC restarted pax flights (after 3-month pause) with service to Hong Kong, Los Angeles and New York.

Thirteen years after it was first petitioned to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions from aviation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed the first U.S. standards for carbon dioxide emissions from aircraft and engines.

The FAA is pondering new rules that would mandate more advanced flight recorders, aligning with ICAO standards becoming effective in 2023.

CEBU PACIFIC, Philippines has moved seven A321s and two A330-300s to Alice Springs, Australia for long-term storage.

CATHAY PACIFIC estimates it lost HK$9.9b for the six months ended June 30 vs HK1.3b net profit a year ago; result includes impairment charges of HK$2

Etihad Airways has signed agreements with Boeing Global Services for the provision of maintenance support on the airline’s Boeing 787 fleet.

The Jordanian government has intervened to support flag-carrier Royal Jordanian in the form of a “comfort letter” for the cash-strapped airline.

AVENTURE AVIATION acquired ex-Air Astana 757-200 (27971; no engines); airframe, equipped with RB211 nacelles, is stored at AERSALE in Goodyear, AZ

Executives at United Airlines predict the slow recovery in air travel demand will reach a ceiling of around half of 2019 levels, at which point they expect traffic to remain broadly static until a vaccine for COVID-19 becomes widely available.

ULCC Wizz Air is launching a new training program aimed at promoting flight attendants from the main cabin to the flight deck.

ICELANDAIR GROUP estimates it lost US$100m-$110m in 2Q20 on 85% lower revenues (final results due July 27) and says it is in final stages of key

FPG AMENTUM arranged sale of 737-800 (33974; leased to TUI) to unidentified lessor on behalf of Global Aircraft Fund I.

Ask the Editors: The A380’s competitive disadvantage is that airlines need a very high passenger load factor to make the economics work.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and EASA have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to validate and harmonize aviation health safety measures relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

QANTAS completed final flight of its last 747-400 (32914; to be parked at Mojave); it received first 747 in August 1971.

VSE AVIATION was named exclusive distributor of Honeywell’s LASEREF IV Inertial Reference System for next two years.

JET TIME, Denmark filed for bankruptcy in Copenhagen Court; it is currently grounded, but plans to restart in mid-2021.

UNITED posted $1.6b net loss for 2Q20 (vs $1.1b net profit in 1Q19) on 87.1% lower revenues. It has $15.2b total liquidity, which is expected to

Qatar Airways Group has launched legal action against the four neighboring states that have halted airline movements between them and Qatar for more than three years.

Work has begun on expanding Xian Xianyang International Airport (XIY) to a capacity of 83 million passengers a year by 2030.

The Malaysian Ministry of Transport is estimating its air transport industry will record a MYR13 billion ($3 billion) loss for 2020 following travel restrictions and a drop-off in demand caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

All Nippon Airways has committed to an ambitious long-term target for reducing its CO2 emissions as part of its new sustainability plan.

Taiwan’s parliament has passed a proposal to rename and rebrand its flag-carrier China Airlines to prevent further confusion with mainland Chinese airlines.

Air Austral and Air Madagascar have signed a MOU confirming the exit of Air Austral from the capital of Air Madagascar.