Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker has told both Airbus and Boeing the carrier will not be taking any aircraft this year or next due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to UK-based Sky News.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown of air traffic on European aviation has worsened in recent weeks, IATA warned, as it called for a coordinated restart of air travel through border openings and continued financial and regulatory support.
Canadian ULCC Swoop has issued a request for proposals (RFP) on Route Exchange seeking new airport partners in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
Japanese LCC Peach is poised to become the latest airline to resume flying its full domestic network, and it has set a target date to restore all frequencies on these routes.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will start to allow both Emirati nationals and foreign residents to travel abroad starting June 23, in a move that will help restart business for the country’s airports and airlines.
LATAM Airlines Group announced June 17 its Argentinian subsidiary will cease operations indefinitely, as the bankrupt parent company looks to rid itself of loss-making assets.
Icelandair says plans for a financial restructuring are proceeding, but the scheduled conclusion of the deal has been postponed until June 29. The carrier said the lack of progress of talks with one of its unions is a matter of concern.
Southwest Airlines estimates having enough liquidity to survive another two years at current demand levels, positioning it to challenge the “Big 3” U.S. carriers for domestic market share through an anticipated COVID-19 recovery.
China Eastern Airlines will set up a base company at Xiamen, with the aim of supporting the city’s ambition to develop as an international hub for southeastern China.
An increase in consumer interest in flights to leisure resorts has encouraged ULCC Norwegian to restore no fewer than 76 routes to its network next month and more than double the number of aircraft in service.
Lufthansa warned June 17 that it may have to file for a protective shield insolvency restructuring process if an extraordinary shareholder meeting does not approve the proposed €9 billion ($10.1 billion) state-aid package on June 25.
Thai Vietjet is planning to launch five new services later this year, increasing its domestic flight network to 12 routes that will connect 11 destinations across Thailand.
Foreign carriers including Air France, Air New Zealand and U.S. airlines have received permission from Shanghai’s main airport to resume international services to the city.
Lithuania’s transport minister hopes to establish a virtual airline—which operates under its own brand, but wet-leases in capacity—within the next six months to aid the Baltic state’s COVID-19 recovery.
Nearly all the major U.S. carriers will crack down on lapses in mask-wearing in flight, putting rigor on previously toothless policies that drew widespread criticism for lack of enforcement.
EasyJet has agreed to new delivery dates for 32 Airbus A320-family aircraft and secured an extension on its purchase and deferral rights, in light of the COVID-19 crisis.
Azul Brazilian Airlines and LATAM Airlines Brazil have signed a codeshare agreement initially to connect 50 non-overlapping routes in their respective domestic networks.
French airline Corsair retired its last Boeing 747—and the last of its type operating in France—on June 15, as the airline accelerates its plan to switch to an all-Airbus A330 fleet.
