Airlines & Lessors

South African Airways’ (SAA) business-rescue plan has been delayed by another two months to May 29 while the flag carrier’s fleet remains grounded because of COVID-19-related flight restrictions.

Financial support at an unprecedented scale is on its way in some countries.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will raise up to S$15 billion ($10.5 billion) through the issue of new shares and bonds, with the backing of its majority

Russia is to become the latest nation to sever international air links to stem the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic. A Mar. 25 meeting of Russian

UK long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic has temporarily suspended flights from London Gatwick, instead focusing its London operations on London Heathrow, and has flown its first ever all-cargo flight.

Swiss regional carrier Helvetic Airways has abruptly stopped its significant growth strategy for 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has announced plans to deploy passenger Boeing 787-10s on cargo flights, to ensure the supply of fresh-produce imports into the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Alaska Airlines announced plans to cut its schedule by 70% in April and May, citing the “historic and unprecedented falloff in demand” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

AirAsia Group has confirmed that it is temporarily grounding most of its fleet, and its core Malaysia-based operation is suspending all international and domestic flights.

Airline industry groups are pressing Asia-Pacific governments to take further steps in support of their beleaguered carriers.

LOT Polish Airlines has announced a raft of flight cancellations after the Polish government extended its commercial flight suspension by a further 14 days to Apr. 11.

EasyJet founder and shareholder Stelios Haji-Ioannou is insisting that the UK LCC cancel its Airbus order and slim its fleet down to 250 aircraft.

China’s big three state carriers Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines have released their operating numbers for February, revealing the damage of the COVID-19 lockdown on their performance.

The virus that causes COVID-19 has disrupted operations at U.S. airport towers, approach control facilities and en route centers.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) commercial passenger flights are now suspended until 11:59 p.m. local time Apr. 7, after the government accelerated its previously announced flight lockdown.

South Africa announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown aimed at combating the spread of COVID-19, triggering the suspension of operations by the country’s airlines.

Air Canada and its pilots have agreed to cost-cutting moves that include reduced pay, modified retirement terms and up to 600 layoffs, the Air Canada Pilots Association said.

Another fast-changing aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic related to the air transport industry is the criticality of air cargo and how some state

IATA has called on governments to help ensure air cargo supply lines stay open to allow them to help contain the spread of the coronavirus, saying bureaucratic procedures need to be streamlined to avoid unnecessary delays.

Korean Air is introducing new measures to reduce its costs and boost revenue to offset the sharp drop in demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Domestic airline activity in mainland China will rise strongly next week according to data from CAPA and OAG.

Virgin Australia Group plans to stand down 80% of its workforce as the carrier cuts almost all of its domestic flights.

Russia’s Aeroflot has announced more reductions to its international network as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic-induced decline in demand.

WestJet will cut its workforce by nearly 50%, with the vast majority of reductions coming via voluntary options offered by the airline.

Bogota-based Avianca announced it will temporarily cease all passenger flying, as a cascading series of travel restrictions across Latin America forces carriers to halt operations or scale back to skeletal levels.