Wary of the current lack of air cargo capacity, IATA has urged the freight industry, governments and public health agencies to work together to prepare the transportation of COVID-19 vaccines around the world if and when they become available.
Finnair has more than halved its capacity plans for October, cutting its schedule from around 200 daily flights to just 70-80, citing a slower-than-expected traffic recovery in light of weak demand and ongoing travel restrictions.
A lack of “clear information” from Boeing on the return of the 737 MAX is hampering Ethiopian Airlines’ ability to make decisions on its future narrowbody fleet as it studies the Airbus A220, according to the flag-carrier’s CEO Tewolde Gebremariam.
Luis Gallego, formerly the head of Iberia, has taken over as CEO of parent company International Airlines Group (IAG), after the retirement of Willie Walsh, who had led the group and been instrumental in its development since its creation in 2011.
The number of air passengers processed at U.S. airport security checkpoints hit a post-pandemic high over Labor Day weekend, with daily throughput approaching one million passengers for the first time since mid-March.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on Sept. 7 authorized the setting-up of OTT Airlines, a subsidiary that China Eastern Airlines intends will operate only COMAC aircraft.
While many airlines around the world are waiting anxiously for international borders to reopen, the immediate concern for Australian carriers is closer to home.
Porter Airlines has once again pushed back its planned operational restart, this time to Nov. 12, as travel restrictions continue to cripple Canada-U.S. travel demand as well as Canadian domestic services.
AirAsia is hoping to raise MYR2.5 billion ($602 million) by the end of the year while the fate of its Japanese operation is unclear after it was put under review.
UK logistics company Stobart Group has confirmed that it is in early talks to sell regional airline Stobart Air and aircraft-leasing business Propius, with lessor Falko Regional Aircraft among those showing an interest.
The Icelandic parliament has agreed to guarantee up to 90% of a $120 million credit facility for Icelandair to help the airline weather the COVID-19 crisis.
The European Commission has approved a €199 million ($236 million) grant from the Italian government to Alitalia, aimed at offsetting losses caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, although two earlier state-aid investigations are continuing.
Air Lease Corporation chairman Steven Udvar Házy is encouraging Boeing to publicly refer to the 737 MAX by its more formal numerical designations, such as the 737-8 and 737-9, calling the name “MAX” a “clear liability.”
United Airlines announced plans to operate 40% of its year-ago schedule in October, up from 34% in September, but still less than American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
De Havilland of Canada has secured Transport Canada (TC) extensions for its “simplified package freighter” conversion approvals and is working on getting permanent certification of a modification package, the company said.
South African carrier Comair is aiming to resume flights in December if stakeholders approve a ZAR500 million ($30 million) equity injection in return for 99% ownership of the company.
Icelandair Group will hold a shareholders’ meeting on Sept. 9 to secure the final go-ahead for an ISK20-23 billion ($143-165 million) capital increase, although the financial impact of COVID-19 has not been as severe as originally anticipated back in May.
