All Coronavirus articles – Page 71
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NewsUK air transport representatives try to calm concerns over government aid
UK airline and crew interest groups are trying to allay concerns over planned government support to the industry after confusion emerged over the nature and extent of financial measures for the sector. Pilot union BALPA insists that recent suggestions that the government is backpedalling on plans to assist the industry ...
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NewsSouth African shutdown heaps pressure on bedevilled Fastjet
African budget carrier Fastjet, already under substantial financial pressure, is having to cope with the additional burden of the coronavirus outbreak after the South African and Zimbabwean governments imposed travel restrictions. Fastjet Group, which has been working to sell its Zimbabwean arm, says the South African government is locking down ...
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NewsAir New Zealand limits service to essential travel and cargo
Air New Zealand will operate limited services to enable essential travel and maintain cargo flow, even as it cuts international schedules by 95% from 30 March to 31 May. This will “keep air freight moving through key cargo corridors to North America and Asia,” it says. The ...
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NewsThai Airways suspends overseas flights
Thai Airways International is moving to suspend international flights, as Thailand prepares to implement a state of emergency on 26 March to stem the coronavirus outbreak. The carrier says the outbreak has seen “no sign of relief” and that the situation in Europe and elsewhere is getting “even more severe”, ...
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NewsCebu Pacific feels pinch from Philippines quarantine
Cebu Pacific says the month-long “community quarantine” imposed on metropolitan Manila and the main Luzon island group recently will free up 90% of its total seat capacity, even as it maintains services from its hubs outside of Manila and the region. The 90% capacity figure is based on the suspension ...
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NewsBeijing moves to beef up air cargo capacity
Beijing will take steps to bolster domestic and international air cargo capacity amid the global coronavirus pandemic, including support for air freight companies and logistics firms. The official China Daily newspaper quotes premier Li Keqiaing as stating that the massive reduction in global air traffic has created issues for supply ...
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NewsQantas Group secures $625 million against 787-9s
The Qantas Group has secured A$1.05 billion ($625 million) in a new round of debt funding to “strengthen its position as it manages through the coronavirus outbreak”. The 10-year loan bears 2.75% interest and is securitised against seven Boeing 787-9s. The jets are part of its fleet of 11 787-9s, ...
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NewsAmericas 24 March in review: Congress negotiates aid; Manufacturers and airlines make deep cuts
Politicians from both houses of the US Congress continued negotiating a bill that would offer the air transport industry financial support in order to secure jobs and keep airlines afloat as the coronavirus crisis ravages the industry.
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In depthBoeing tells some suppliers to ‘halt shipments’ amid temporary shutdown
Boeing has instructed suppliers to stop shipments to its Seattle-area production sites during the company’s temporary production shutdown, which takes effect on 25 March.
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NewsBoeing’s Calhoun defends Boeing’s financial health, pushes back against equity-for-aid government support
Boeing chief executive David Calhoun insists government aid to the struggling airline and aerospace sectors should not be contingent upon the government taking equity in US companies.
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NewsWestJet cuts 50% of staff
WestJet’s chief executive Ed Sims says the airline has eliminated half of its workforce as it tries to preserve itself while the coronavirus continues to ravage the air transport industry.
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NewsAvianca ceases domestic flights through mid-April
Avianca has suspended domestic flights through at least 12 April, citing the Colombian federal government’s closing of the country’s airspace, which commences 25 March.
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NewsAzul expands April capacity cuts to 90%
Brazilian low-cost carrier Azul has cut its planned capacity through 30 April by 90%.
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NewsBrazil’s Gol down to 50 daily domestic flights
Gol has dropped its domestic capacity in Brazil by 92% and its international capacity by 100% through early May in response to falling demand during the coronavirus pandemic.
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NewsUS House aid bill sets strict labour, consumer, environmental protections
The US House of Representatives says it is willing to support the transportation industry as it works through its losses due to the coronavirus, including offering infrastructure grants to airports and tangible relief for aviation workers. However, it wants airlines to protect their employees and consumers before protecting their own bottom lines.
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In depthSpirit AeroSystems halts Boeing work, Triumph lays off staff
Airframe manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems will halt much of its Boeing-related work and Triumph Group will lay off several hundred staffers in response to the rapid coronavirus-led downturn in the aviation industry.
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NewsAirline passenger revenues to fall $252 billion in 2020 amid coronavirus: IATA
IATA now expects the coronavirus outbreak to reduce airline revenues from passenger operations by $252 billion in 2020 – more than double its earlier worst-case-scenario estimate.
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NewsNorwegian receives first financing under sector’s rescue package
Low-cost carrier Norwegian has obtained the first 10% of the funding that Norway’s government is guaranteeing for it under a rescue plan for the national airline industry. On 19 March, Norway announced an NKr6 billion ($542 million) bailout for the sector, of which half would go to Norwegian. The state ...
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NewsLeonardo continues building 787 fuselages despite Boeing production pause
Italian aerospace champion Leonardo will continue to build and ship fuselage sections and other aerostructures for the Boeing 787 programme, despite the US airframer’s planned 14-day suspension of production in the Puget Sound region.
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NewsThai low-cost carriers suspend international services
Thai low-cost carriers have announced temporary suspensions of international services. Thai AirAsia says its suspension of international flights began on 22 March and will end on 25 April, and that the decision was taken “in accordance with travel restrictions being enforced by various governments and relevant health authorities”. Domestic flights ...