German carrier Air Berlin warns that it will have to raise fares after estimating that the country's planned aviation tax could place a €180-220 million ($218-266 million) annual burden on the airline. Chief Joachim Hunold concedes that the tax has not been finalised, but calculates a charge of €8-15 a passenger. "We have no choice but to pass the levy on by increasing fares," he says, dismissing the plan as "political"and "completely incomprehensible".
Source: Flight International
Virgin Atlantic will drop its Shanghai service this winter after 25 years as it further cuts its Asia-Pacific network amid the longer flying times necessitated by not being able to overfly Russia.
Southwest Airlines and Archer Aviation have signed a memorandum of understanding to create air taxi networks in and around cities in California served by the carrier.
A Dutch court has ruled that a ‘balanced approach’ procedure must be followed in tackling noise issues at Amsterdam Schiphol airport, meaning different mitigating options are considered before any reduction in slots are implemented.
