News from FlightGlobal – Page 556
-
NewsRyanair aims to re-open most of its network from 1 July
Ryanair is to reinstate flights across some 90% of its network from the beginning of July, with an ambitious bid to restore an air transport operation demolished by the coronavirus crisis. While much of the network will be available, with most bases active, the overall schedule – around 1,000 daily ...
-
NewsChangi airport to close Terminal 4 indefinitely from 16 May
Singapore’s Changi airport will temporarily close Terminal 4 (T4) from 16 May, “in view of the small number of flights still operating in the terminal”. “The timing of [when T4 will resume operations] will depend on when air travel demand picks up and on the requirements of airlines seeking to ...
-
NewsAuckland airport uses Covid-19 downtime for runway replacement
Auckland airport is bringing forward runway pavement replacement work while operations are at a minimum during the Covid-19 outbreak. “We’ve experienced a significant reduction in flights and passenger numbers, with aircraft movements currently 90-95% lower than a normal busy day,” Andre Lovatt, general manager of airport development and delivery, said ...
-
NewsUnited names Brett Hart as next president
United Airlines says it has named Brett Hart, currently the airline’s executive vice president and chief administrative officer, to be its new president, succeeding Scott Kirby, who is moving to the chief executive role later this month.
-
NewsSlovenia to lift international air transport ban
Slovenia’s government is lifting restrictions on passenger air transport in the country, having imposed a comprehensive ban in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. The government says it will “withdraw the measures” on 12 May after deciding “not to extend” the limitation. It says the decree prohibited provision of international ...
-
NewsBranson to sell shares in Virgin Galactic to help troubled travel businesses
Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is looking to sell some of its stake in Virgin Galactic to help raise proceeds to support its troubled leisure, holiday and travel businesses.
-
NewsALTA names new executive director
The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) says it has named Brazilian Jose Ricardo Botelho as its next executive director and chief executive.
-
NewsLeasing chiefs see crisis driving consolidation among aircraft lessors
Leading aircraft lessor chiefs see the coronavirus crisis increasing the likelihood of consolidation among aircraft leasing companies.
-
NewsIAG’s Walsh pessimistic and puzzled by UK quarantine scheme
IAG chief Willie Walsh is pessimistic over the potential impact of a quarantine measure for inbound air passengers floated by the UK government. Prime minster Boris Johnson stated on 10 May that the quarantine – intended to prevent coronavirus re-infection from abroad – would apply to passengers arriving “by air”. ...
-
NewsEl Al in line for conditional support from government
Israeli flag-carrier El Al has received a preliminary indication that the government is prepared to provide support to the airline but with conditions attached. El Al had been in talks over a commercial loan with state-backed guarantee, after being turned down for an assistance package from the ministry of finance. ...
-
NewsAvianca to cut back fleet and close Peru division
Latin American carrier Avianca is to shut down its Peruvian division, and cut back the fleet of other carriers, as part of the reshaping of the company being undertaken following its filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Avianca Holdings sought protection on 10 May in a joint filing covering several ...
-
NewsJeju Air falls deeper into the red
Jeju Air’s first-quarter losses far exceed those reported in the full year 2019, and provisional financial results indicate a W63.8 billion ($52 million) operating loss for the January to March period. The group reported a W34.8 billion operating loss for the whole of 2019, encompassing a W57.8 billion operating profit ...
-
NewsBOC Aviation signs 737 Max 8 leaseback with Southwest Airlines
Singapore-based lessor BOC Aviation has signed a purchase-and-leaseback agreement with US low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines for 10 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. All 10 aircraft are powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines. Robert Martin, chief executive of BOC Aviation, says: “We are delighted to be working with Southwest Airlines once ...
-
NewsAir New Zealand to add more domestic flights, but no cheap fares
Air New Zealand is preparing to add more domestic flights as the country eases lockdown restrictions but warns that cheap fares will not be available. The carrier said today it plans to fly to most domestic airports when New Zealand moves to Level 2 of its lockdown, adding destinations such ...
-
NewsAvianca voluntarily files for Chapter 11 protection
Latin American operator Avianca is voluntarily filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with a New York court, to give the company time to re-organise its business. Avianca Holdings says the filing request, with the Southern District of New York bankruptcy court, is “necessary” given the “unpredictable impact” of the coronavirus ...
-
NewsQuarantine scenario draws contempt from UK airline and crew circles
Airline and cockpit crew representatives have condemned indications by UK prime minister Boris Johnson that he is prepared to introduce quarantine measures for inbound passengers to the UK. Johnson spoke on 10 May, outlining “conditional” steps towards easing the lockdown imposed on the country in March following the coronavirus outbreak. ...
-
NewsEmirates Group expects at least 18-month crisis recovery
Middle Eastern operator Emirates Group is expecting that recovery from the coronavirus crisis will take at least 18 months, as it braces for a “huge impact” on its 2020-21 performance. The Dubai-based company’s passenger operations were suspended a few days before the close of its financial year on 31 March, ...
-
NewsFuture alliance among considerations for revived Alitalia: minister
Alitalia will need to evaluate carefully future transatlantic alliances as part of its strategy when the restructured company emerges from the air transport crisis, Italy’s economic development minister states. Minister Stefano Patuanelli says the reshaped carrier’s business plan needs to “focus strongly” on long-haul transport, with “new” transatlantic alliances among ...
-
NewsLufthansa Group to double active fleet as it starts to re-open network
Lufthansa Group is to double the number of aircraft in service to 160 from the beginning of June as it starts to re-open its network. The company says that passengers will be able to access over 100 destinations. It states that the repatriation schedule, which has involved 80 aircraft, is ...
-
NewsSouthwest to generate $815m from selling, leasing back 20 737s
Southwest Airlines has signed agreements to sell and lease back 20 Boeing 737s in a transaction expected to generate $815 million in proceeds for Southwest.