Air Transport

SkyWest Airlines will see its Delta Air Lines regional fleet reduced by 55 Bombardier CRJ-200s, as carriers look to downsize their regional operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The satellite operator Intelsat announced May 13 that it has declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy as part of a financial restructuring to free up liquidity and continue operations while it awaits repayment from the government from an auction of C-band spectrum.

Emirates plans to resume scheduled flights to nine destinations next week, as well as offering connections for passengers traveling between the UK and Australia.

GOL Linhas Aéreas is to reopen bases in Brazil at Foz de Iguacu (IGU), Navegantes (NVT) and Maringa (MGF) in May as the carrier seeks to restore services that were suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

IATA officials are in talks with Argentinian ministers in hopes of persuading the government to bring forward its ban on all air travel and the sale of flight tickets.

U.S.-based lessor Aircastle has posed a $34.2 million 2020 first quarter (Q1) net loss, driven by $34.8 million in costs related to its acquisition by Japanese investor Marubeni Corp. and Mizuho Leasing, which closed in March.

Delta Air Lines will remove its Boeing 777s by year-end, further streamlining its fleet and bracing for a long recovery for long-haul passenger demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

AIRCASTLE initiated process to accept redelivery of four A330-200s from SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS due to lessee default

AZUL lost R$6.1b in 1Q20 (vs R$125.3m net income in 1Q19) on 10.3% higher revenues and closed previously announced acquisition of TWO TAXI AEREO

GOL confirmed agreement with Boeing regarding compensation for 737 MAX grounding and order book restructuring resulted in R$0.5b of cash in April and

Among the long-term ripple effects of COVID-19, add this: aerospace and defense (A&D) companies are going to become a lot more digital, from tip to tail.

Fuel Watch

UNITED AIRLINES took delivery of another ex-China Southern A319-100 (2004) on lease from AerCap as part of deal for 25.

AIR SERBIA is postponing start of scheduled flights from June 1 to June 15 to comply with EC recommendations; relaunching of flights to limited number

NOLINOR AVIATION, Canada purchased ex-Alba Star 737-400 (24129) from Vx Capital Partners and ex-Xtra Airways 737-400 (24688) from AerSale; and has

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES entered into sale-leaseback transactions for 10 737 MAX 8s with BOC Aviation and 10 737-800s with an unidentified investor; it

DELTA AIR LINES plans to retire its 18 777s by end of 2020 due to COVID-19 crisis, and will replace aircraft with A350s.

ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES (with TLD and SAS) is expanding its TaxiBot operation/deployment to Amsterdam Schiphol and Bangalore Airport, India for

EMIRATES plans May 21 to restart scheduled services to nine international destinations: London, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago, Toronto

AIR ASTANA is resuming some domestic services, and expects to be operating 30% of its pre-crisis network by the end of May.

AIRBALTIC plans May 18 to restart scheduled services to three cities (Amsterdam/Copenhagen/Oslo) with an all-A220 fleet.

AZUL, Brazil has deferred delivery of its 59 E2-Jets on order from 2020-2023 to 2024 and beyond to create more liquidity.

The Russian government has provided RUB23.4 billion ($316.5 million) in subsidies to local airlines to cover COVID-19 losses, the country’s Federal Air Transport Agency Rosaviatsiya said May 14.

Allegiant Air sees signs of life in some domestic leisure markets where government restrictions have been relaxed, although the timeline to recovery in other key destinations remains unclear.

South Korean carrier Asiana is planning to reopen several international routes in June, one of a handful of airlines beginning to restore networks cut back due to COVID-19.