The FAA has fast-tracked a mandatory software upgrade developed by Pratt & Whitney to address PW1500G in-flight shutdowns linked to variable inlet guide vanes, including one in February on an Air Baltic Airbus A220-300.
A 40% drop in global revenue passenger miles followed by a rapid snap-back and leveling out of 5% year-over-year growth starting in 2023 would cut near-term new-aircraft demand about 25% from pre-coronavirus pandemic estimates, Vertical Research Partners analysts conclude.
UK LCC easyJet has grounded its entire fleet in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, while Irish LCC Ryanair continues to operate just 10% of its aircraft.
Aeroflot LCC subsidiary Pobeda Airlines is suspending all flights from Apr. 1 until May 31, following the Russian government’s recommendation for the country’s resorts to halt operations to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Vietnam Airlines is cutting its domestic network to a handful of flights on trunk routes in response to tighter government restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Qantas pilots have voted to accept new contract conditions that would allow ultra-long-haul flying, although plans to order aircraft for such flights are on hold.
OneWeb, a connectivity provider that was targeting commercial aviation, has filed for Chapter 11 and is seeking a buyer after investment negotiations fell through because of the COVID-19 crisis.
The proposed Air Canada-Air Transat merger would create too many monopoly markets with high barriers to entry for potential competitors, higher fares, and less choice, Canada’s Competition Bureau said, setting the stage for potential concessions from the companies if Transport Canada agrees with the conclusions.
Safran is facing a drop in production capacity as it struggles to keep factories operating despite the combination of logistics and human resources problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Italian aerospace and defense company Leonardo is providing Italian state authorities access to fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters that the company normally uses for flight trials as Italy fights to deal with the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The bosses of the four main ground handling service providers operating in the UK have written to the government to call for financial support, warning that the collapse of their businesses would have knock-on effects for the aviation sector’s post-COVID-19 recovery.
