U.S. President Donald Trump is in favor of ensuring any financial help U.S. airlines get from taxpayers comes with restrictions, including a ban on stock buybacks.
Unions representing 85% of American Airlines’ workforce called on Congress and the White House to promptly pass an aid to keep U.S. carriers afloat amid the complete collapse in air travel demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
AirAsia said an independent inquiry into bribery allegations has determined no wrongdoing occurred, and the group’s two leading figures have been restored to their positions.
Colombia’s Avianca will suspend all international flying and slash domestic capacity by 84% from Mar. 23, in a move to deal with the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nordic governments are stepping in to shore up their airlines during the COVID-19 crisis, with Norway offering a NOK6 billion ($595 million) loan guarantee package—up to half of it for LCC Norwegian—and Finland proposing a €600 million ($667 million) guarantee for Finnair.
New Zealand’s government has become the latest to introduce a significant airline support package, agreeing to provide an NZ$900 million ($520 million) loan facility to Air New Zealand.
Cathay Pacific Group’s April and May capacity will be reduced to just 4% of its normal total following plunging demand and a widening list of travel restrictions following the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Fractional operator Flexjet will ferry pilots and flight crews to assignments using its own aircraft rather than its usual method of relying on commercial carriers.
Three major airline bodies have voiced their dismay at the European Commission’s response to the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, which has left cash-strapped airlines potentially facing unlimited passenger care and assistance bills.
