News from FlightGlobal – Page 543
-
NewsIcelandair rejigs restructuring timeline as crucial talks continue
Icelandair Group has pushed back by two weeks a provisional deadline for reaching restructuring agreements with various partners, forcing it to revise the timeline for a planned share offering. It has notably yet to reach a deal with cabin crew representatives, and the company is expressing “concern” that no “significant ...
-
NewsChina’s ‘big three’ carriers see leap in May passenger numbers
China’s three largest carriers carried more passengers across their networks in May — the first month-on-month increase since the start of the year, when the coronavirus outbreak pummelled travel demand. Domestic passengers made up the lion’s share of the number of passengers carried, as the outbreak showed signs of ...
-
NewsUncertainty around Khazanah’s view on Malaysia Airlines funding
The parent of Malaysia Airlines is in discussions with sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional about financial support, but has not received a funding commitment. Addressing media speculation, the airline tells Cirium that parent Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) “has not received any commitment by Khazanah Nasional, for a MYR5 billion ($1.17 ...
-
NewsWestJet tests network demand with July schedule
Calgary-based WestJet in July and August will increase frequencies on its network and resume service to certain locations for a total of 39 destinations in Canada, five in the USA and one in Mexico as air travel slowly recovers.
-
NewsIATA re-ups calls on Latin American governments to support airlines
Commercial aviation association IATA has strengthened its calls for Latin American governments to assist their respective airline industries in order to help them survive the coronavirus crisis that has brought the sector to a near-standstill across the region.
-
NewsUnited taps into MileagePlus programme for cash
United Airlines says it expects to have a total of $17 billion in liquidity by the end of the third quarter in part by leveraging its MilagePlus passenger loyalty programme, helping support the Chicago-based carrier through the unprecedented crisis that has gripped the travel industry since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
-
NewsLithuania plans new flag carrier
Lithuania’s government intends to establish a new national airline later this year or early in 2021.
-
NewsSwedish and Danish governments back SAS recapitalisation
Sweden’s and Denmark’s governments are backing a capital increase for Scandinavian carrier SAS, which is seeking around SKr12.5 billion ($1.33 billion) in support funding. The Swedish government has submitted a proposal to the country’s parliament for support amounting to SKr5 billion, says SAS. It adds that the Danish government has ...
-
NewsJetstar Pacific rebranding to stoke talk of Qantas stake sale
Vietnam low-cost carrier Jetstar Pacific will revert to its former name, Pacific Airlines, as greater synergies with 70% owner Vietnam Airlines are sought. The proposed rebranding follows an agreement between Vietnam Airlines and Qantas Group, which owns a minority 30% stake in Jetstar Pacific. In addition, Jetstar Pacific will switch ...
-
NewsChina Eastern launches new Hainan-based carrier
China Eastern Airlines has inked a cooperation framework agreement with four partners — including Shanghai-based carrier Juneyao Airlines — to establish a new carrier in Hainan island. The launch of Sanya International Airlines follows recent announcements from the Chinese government to turn the island into a free trade zone and ...
-
NewsUK committee unconvinced by quarantine and demands evidence
Parliamentarians have scorned the UK government’s quarantine measure for passengers arriving into the country, insisting it will damage the recovery of the air transport sector, and have urged a rethink in favour of a more flexible approach. The cross-party transport select committee is unconvinced by the blanket 14-day quarantine, stating ...
-
NewsCommittee accuses BA of ‘calculated’ bid to shed staff during crisis
Cross-party parliamentarians in the UK have sharply criticised British Airways’ restructuring measures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, accusing the airline of a “calculated” attempt to use the crisis to weaken employees’ terms and cut jobs. The transport select committee’s inquiry into the impact of the pandemic on the ...
-
NewsUS airlines take jets out of storage, add flights as recovery begins
North America’s airline industry has started a slow but noticeable recovery as carriers bring hundreds of jets back into service in response to a bump in travel demand ahead of the summer travel season.
-
NewsSwiss start-up FlyBair plans mid-July debut
Swiss start-up carrier FlyBair is aiming to commence services next month, operating initially to the Spanish resort of Palma de Mallorca. The airline says it will open two routes to the city from Bern and Sion from 18 July. FlyBair had been intending to launch operations in May but postponed ...
-
NewsState to consider integrating some Air Italy assets into new Alitalia
Italy’s transport and infrastructure minister Paola de Micheli has indicated the state is considering the possible of integration some Air Italy assets into its renationalised Alitalia. Sardinia-based AIr Italy collapsed in February after shareholders could not agree on further investment to keep the struggling airline operational, though 49% owner Qatar ...
-
NewsLoss-making Air Namibia should be liquidated: president
Air Namibia should be liquidated, the Namibian president has declared following an address to the country, a suggestion which has met objection from unions. President Hage Geingob was answering questions in the parliament building in Windhoek after delivering his state-of-the-nation speech on 4 June. The loss-making airline had not been ...
-
NewsShort-circuit could lead 777 thrust levers to advance during taxiing
Operators of Boeing 777s are being cautioned that autothrottles could trigger an uncommanded advancement of the throttle levers on the ground, after a number of instances. Most of the occurrences have taken place during taxiing. But in one event, says the US FAA, the uncommanded autothrottle advance happened after landing, ...
-
NewsEuropean price war threatens deepened cash-flow crisis
Airlines making their first tentative steps towards restart of operations are keen to convince the public that air travel is back. But making the case will not be easy – or cheap. Early indications are that many passengers are nervous about boarding an aircraft, especially older travellers. And given that ...
-
NewsCathay to gradually add capacity in June, July
Cathay Pacific will slowly reinstate capacity in June and July, even as it expects capacity in the subsequent months to continue to be “substantially reduced”. This also marks the first time since the coronavirus outbreak emerged that the carrier will be adding capacity to its already-pared down network. For ...
-
NewsTransat-Air Canada merger pushed to fourth quarter
Transat AT, the parent company of Canadian holiday specialist Air Transat, says its merger with legacy carrier Air Canada is still on track and now due to close sometime in the fourth quarter of 2020.