Air Europa acquisition remains justified: IAG’s Walsh
IAG is striving to close the acquisition of Air Europa by the end of this year, undeterred by the impact of the air transport crisis, although it is reviewing the structure of the €1 billion ($1.2 billion) deal in response to the downturn.
Gol sees Q3 as bridge to new normal
Brazilian airline Gol reported a second-quarter loss of R2 billion ($384,000) as the coronavirus crisis ravaged the air transport industry in the Latin American country.
Air cargo decline narrows in June but market ‘exceptionally challenging’
Air freight traffic declines showed some signs of improving in June but business remains “exceptionally challenging”, according to the latest IATA market wrap-up.
USA clears $635 million upgrade package for Chile F-16s
The US government has approved the sale of a $635 million upgrade package for Chile’s fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters.
Why Embraer Defense is investing in two cybersecurity companies
For an undisclosed amount, the airframer took a majority stake in Tempest Security Intelligence, a cybersecurity services firm for civilian businesses. Embraer also invested R$20 million ($3.86 million) in Kryptus, a cybersecurity and cryptology firm, through Brazil’s Aerospace Investment Fund.
FAA proposes four design changes to 737 Max in new AD
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has suggested four key design changes to the beleaguered Boeing 737 Max in order to address safety issues that led to its almost 17-month grounding following two fatal crashes that killed 346 people.
US Army orders 12 additional MH-47G Block II Chinooks
Boeing has secured a $265 million deal to supply nine additional MH-47G Block II Chinooks for the US Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC).
SpaceX Crew Dragon splashdown signals US human spaceflight return
The USA has returned to the human spaceflight business following the successful return to earth of the SpaceX Crew Dragon today, carrying NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley.
Canada takes bids for F-35s, F/A-18s and Gripens
Canada has received bids to replace its jet fighter fleet with either Lockheed Martin F-35s, Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets or Saab Gripen E fighters.
ExpressJet studying options amid warning of ‘wind down’
ExpressJet Airlines is evaluating “options for the future” following a severed relationship with United Airlines, though the regional carrier’s trade association says ExpressJet has warned of a “potential phased wind down”.
Trump administration’s relaxation of UAV export rules offers belated boon for US manufacturers
The Trump administration’s decision to modify its adherence to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is positive for American manufacturers of large unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), but comes after much ground has already been ceded to China.
El Al seeks approval to raise capital as pilots object to cost-saving pact
El Al has called a shareholders’ meeting for 18 August in order to seek approval to raise the company’s registered share capital.
El Al must issue shares before state will back loan
Israeli flag-carrier El Al must carry out a planned $150 million share issue by the end of August, before the country’s government will back a $250 million bank loan.
Wizz Air chief predicts 100-aircraft Abu Dhabi operation
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi can mimic the fleet growth seen at the carrier’s European operation and reach 100 aircraft in 15 years’ time, according chief executive Jozsef Varadi.
Qatar Airways’ parent pursues $5bn in compensation over blockade
Qatar Airways’ parent group is seeking $5 billion in compensation against the four Arab states which imposed a blockade on the airline three years ago.
Russian-powered MC-21 to fly before year-end and Il-114 sooner
United Aircraft is aiming to fly the first Russian-powered Irkut MC-21 before the end of this year, and the Ilyushin Il-114-300 as soon as September, the aerospace firm’s chief has informed President Vladimir Putin.
IAG’s Walsh warns against obtaining liquidity without structural reform
Outgoing IAG chief Willie Walsh has warned that obtaining liquidity will offer a false sense of security to airlines unless they fundamentally adapt their business to reflect a different post-crisis market.
Air Europa acquisition remains justified: IAG’s Walsh
IAG is striving to close the acquisition of Air Europa by the end of this year, undeterred by the impact of the air transport crisis, although it is reviewing the structure of the €1 billion ($1.2 billion) deal in response to the downturn.
TUI agreement further lifts BOC Aviation's 737 Max sale-and-leases
TUI Group has carried out a sale-and-leaseback of five Boeing 737 Max jets with the Singaporean-based lessor BOC Aviation.
Air France-KLM aims to minimise fleet deferrals to keep competitiveness on track
Just six aircraft ordered by Air France-KLM have so far been pushed back to later delivery slots in the past six months, although KLM has yet to detail its full fleet plan.
Covid-19 wipes out 78% of JAL’s first-quarter operating revenue
Japan Airlines posted a Y93.7 billion ($885 million) net loss in the April to June period, as Covid-19-related travel and quarantine measures nearly wiped out the carrier’s passenger revenues.
TUI agreement further lifts BOC Aviation's 737 Max sale-and-leases
TUI Group has carried out a sale-and-leaseback of five Boeing 737 Max jets with the Singaporean-based lessor BOC Aviation.
P&W makes significant cuts to Singapore workforce
Pratt & Whitney, which in recent days refuted rumours that it had axed workers in Singapore, has cut a portion of its workforce in the city-state.
Alliance Aviation picks E190s, says Fokker fleet ‘remains core’
Australia’s Alliance Aviation has signed for 14 Embraer E190s — in a move to “position us for the next phase of growth” — but has stressed that its fleet of Fokker aircraft will remain in service for the foreseeable future.
VietJet confident of LCC model despite 54% decline in Q2 revenue
VietJet Air is confident of its financial strength and business model, even though second-quarter operating revenues more than halved amid the global Covid-19 outbreak.
UN An-74 badly damaged in Mali landing accident
One of Utair Group’s freighter aircraft, an Antonov An-74 TK-100, has been substantially damaged in an accident at Gao in eastern Mali.
Comair business plan pushed back as rescuers work to firm up offers
South African carrier Comair’s rescue practitioners have disclosed that a potential deal with an interested consortium has fallen through, but are pushing back publication of a business plan to provide time to consider other approaches.
Air cargo decline narrows in June but market ‘exceptionally challenging’
Air freight traffic declines showed some signs of improving in June but business remains “exceptionally challenging”, according to the latest IATA market wrap-up.
Fastjet seeks stock market delisting in bid to maintain crucial funding
African operator Fastjet Group is planning to delist from the stock market and register as a private company, as a condition of securing further support from key shareholder Solenta Aviation Holdings.
New chief has big plans for ACI, but crisis recovery comes first
The new director general of airports body ACI World has grand plans to increase the profile and reach of the organisation – but knows he must first oversee the industry’s recovery from an unprecedented crisis, as the coronavirus pandemic halves passenger traffic in 2020.