Airlines & Lessors

European Commission (EC) president Ursula von der Leyen has confirmed that work is underway on a “Digital Green Pass,” which aims to facilitate the restart of European travel.

AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly sees “strong growth opportunities” for his company as airlines are forced into pursuing asset-light strategies and reducing debt burdens over the coming years.

Italy’s plans to relaunch Alitalia have been pared back following a March 1 meeting headed by the country’s newly appointed Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported.

Thai Airways has submitted a restructuring plan that will see the airline emerge from administration with a significantly reduced operation.

Air Canada has announced a shake-up of its regional services by making Jazz Aviation the sole operator of Air Canada Express flights.

Delta Air Lines said it plans to return all pilots to active status by October, signaling a faster-than-expected timeline for demand recovery.

LATAM Airlines Group plans to bolster its cargo operations during the next three years with the planned conversion of up to eight Boeing 767-300ERs.

After nearly a year of being idled, Canadian operator Porter Airlines has been forced to push back its re-launch date because of continued travel restrictions.

United Airlines raised its existing Boeing 737 MAX order by 25 jets, while pulling forward dozens of aircraft deliveries scheduled over the next few years.

Indian carrier IndiGo has signed a sale and leaseback agreement on eight Airbus A320neos with BOC Aviation, marking its second aircraft refinancing deal in quick succession.

Czech Airlines (CSA) has filed for court reorganization as a last-ditch survival attempt, following the Czech government’s continued refusal to provide any COVID-19 support.

Organizations representing airports, airlines and the tourism sector are calling on European tourism ministers to work together to establish a strategy for post-pandemic travel recovery in the region.

Norwegian Air Shuttle has agreed with Airbus to cancel outstanding orders for 88 A320 family aircraft, as the carrier makes progress toward presenting a restructuring plan that it hopes will secure its future.

Colombia’s aviation authority Aerocivil has confirmed that four carriers have requested permission to serve the country.

China Eastern Airlines will be the official launch operator of the COMAC C919 after it became the first carrier to sign a purchase agreement for five of the domestically built aircraft on March 1.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the aviation industry, the need for consolidation was becoming apparent in Mexico.

Ask the Editors: With demand for widebodies diminishing, lessors will abstain from placing new widebody orders for several years.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operated its first commercial flight using an admixture of 500 liters of sustainable synthetic kerosene.

Norwegian has posted a NOK23 billion ($2.7 billion) net loss for 2020, with bankruptcy or liquidation “highly likely” in the 2021 second quarter if several conditions are not met.

The number of flights operated by U.S. carriers declined to the lowest level on record in 2020, new data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) shows, reflecting the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on demand for air travel.

Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT), long considered the gold standard in commercial flight academies, is being remodeled to a campus structure so it can be more flexible and competitive in a changed market.

For those in the air transport industry hoping that 2021would see the turning point from devastating cash burn to the beginnings of recovery—and that’s just about everyone in the industry—the first quarter has quickly dashed those hopes.

Czech charter carrier Smartwings has performed its first commercial Boeing 737 MAX flight in 23 months, operating a return debut service between Prague and Málaga, Spain on Feb. 25.

An alliance between Qantas and American Airlines that allows the carriers to cooperate on transpacific routes is set to be extended for a further five years.

German leisure carrier Condor has signed an agreement with DHL Express to operate four Boeing 767-300ER for the logistics giant, which is looking to meet higher customer demand for international express shipping.