The union representing American Airlines pilots wants the U.S. government to subsidize load-factor caps across the industry, an approach that would help stabilize airline finances while ensuring social distance in cabins.
Asia-Pacific LCCs face major hurdles as they struggle to survive the network shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 crisis, but their business models also give them some factors in their favor as they plan for recovery.
FRANKFURT—An extraordinary assembly of shareholders and the European Commission (EC) has approved a €9 billion ($10.1 billion) state bailout for Lufthansa, clearing the way for the airline to begin its long route to recovery and avoid an imminent bankruptcy filing.
UK-based easyJet is launching a share placement worth up to £450 million ($558 million), in the budget carrier’s latest move to shore up its finances since the COVID-19 crisis took hold.
Qantas Airways has unveiled a three-year strategy to prepare for a slow airline industry recovery, including cutting 6,000 workers, storing or retiring larger widebody airliners, and raising A$1.9 billion ($1.3 billion) in new equity to fund its plans.
Aviation industry groups have appealed to the European Commission (EC) to extend the slot-waiver policy into the northern winter season. The groups say such an extension is essential for many airlines to survive.
In a rare example of an airline announcing growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korean regional startup Hi Air has bought two ATR 72-500s from the manufacturer’s asset-management portfolio.
American ULCCs expanded aggressively in the years following the last financial crisis, capitalizing on the industry’s strict capacity discipline and slow pace of economic recovery.
Dubai-based Emirates is to reintroduce the Airbus A380 to its schedules but on June 24 halted its services to Pakistan, following the discovery of a large number of COVID-19-infected passengers had traveled on one of its flights.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) will be waiving all parking fees at its airports and extending the 50% discount on takeoff and landing fees to all airlines flying into the kingdom.
The Indian government has signaled it is willing to discuss establishing bilateral corridors with some countries to facilitate repatriation flights and essential travel.
Sun Country Airlines received a greenlight from the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) to extend suspensions to a handful of large hub airports through Sept. 30, as it looks to keep a lid on costs while demand remains weak.
PARIS—French airlines have warned that after months of COVID-19-related shutdown, the gradual recovery of the air transport sector may prove fatal for some carriers.
South African carrier Comair has received a non-binding expression of interest from a potential investor, which could support the airline’s plan for a Nov. 1 relaunch.
