Airline bookings weaken as IATA warns recovery ‘some way away’
Forward airline bookings have weakened going into the first quarter of 2021, as IATA warns that the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better.
Airline coronavirus recovery tracker: January 2021 update
Our regular examination of the latest global data for several key airline market indicators, including international and domestic travel restrictions, traffic and capacity in passenger and cargo markets, in-service and stored fleets, jet fuel costs, and share price trends for the world’s largest groups.
Aeromexico terminates collective bargaining agreements with pilots, flight attendants
Grupo Aeromexico, the parent company of Mexico’s legacy carrier, Aeromexico, has requested to terminate its collective bargaining agreements with its pilots’ and flight attendants’ unions, as it struggles to continue operating through the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic.
Latin American aviation groups urge roll back of flight bans and new travel restrictions
The Latin American and Caribbean aviation industry is urging governments in the region to roll back newly imposed travel restrictions, including Covid testing requirements and flight bans on certain routes.
Does shift towards pre-flight Covid-19 testing spell disaster for airlines?
The tightening of border controls is an emerging theme in the early days of 2021, as governments react to concerns about new variants of Covid-19 and soaring infection rates in many regions.
US carriers’ fate hangs on vaccine rollout
US carriers will likely have to slog through the prime summer season and most of 2021 continuing to burn millions in cash daily as they await the herd immunity promised by mass Covid-19 vaccination.
Air Canada caters for passengers’ anxiety as it details 737 Max re-introduction
Air Canada is to return the Boeing 737 Max to service at the beginning of February, after the Canadian civil aviation regulator detailed the requirements for clearing the aircraft for flight.
Flybe Q400s to be converted into firefighters for Conair
Canadian aerial firefighting specialist Conair Group has emerged as the buyer of 11 Bombardier Q400 turboprops formerly operated by UK regional carrier Flybe.
US airlines begin tapping into government aid
The US government has begun disbursing $15 billion in payroll assistance to airlines, which have been eagerly awaiting the financial relief ever since an earlier programme expired in September.
Former KPMG CEO Doughtie joins Boeing’s board as Kennedy steps down
Former KPMG chief executive Lynne Doughtie has joined Boeing’s board of directors, filling a seat left vacant by the resignation of board member Caroline Kennedy.
Emirates and Etihad to trial IATA’s Travel Pass
UAE-based carriers Emirates and Etihad will be among the first airlines in the world to use IATA’s Travel Pass app, with trials to begin in the first half of this year.
Wizz takes advantage of UAE-Israel ties to open Abu Dhabi-Tel Aviv
Wizz Air is the latest operator to take advantage of the political agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, with plans to serve the Abu Dhabi-Tel Aviv route.
Qatar Airways will only retain half of its A380 fleet
Qatar Airways will only operate half of its A380s at best if it brings the widebodies back into service, according to the airline’s chief executive Akbar Al Baker.
Middle East’s Jordan Aviation discloses plans for US services
Middle Eastern carrier Jordan Aviation is seeking to open scheduled services to the USA within the next four months.
Airline bookings weaken as IATA warns recovery ‘some way away’
Forward airline bookings have weakened going into the first quarter of 2021, as IATA warns that the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better.
Icelandair Group to divest tour operator following hotel sale
Icelandair Group is to sell its tour operator subsidiary Iceland Travel, as part of the continuing concentration on its flight operations activities.
Passenger numbers plunged by over 70% across five biggest European hubs in 2020
Passenger numbers fell by more than 70% across Europe’s five biggest hubs last year as international travel ground to a virtual standstill because of the coronavirus pandemic.
HSBC slashes first-half outlook for Europe’s carriers
Prospects for Europe’s airlines in the first quarter of 2021 have deteriorated notably in recent weeks, but bank HSBC expects intra-European and possibly transatlantic passenger numbers to bounce back for the summer season.
What does Norwegian exit mean for long-haul, low-cost adventure?
Norwegian is ditching the long-haul, low-cost model it pioneered over the past decade, but will the carrier’s legacy be a longer lasting impact on the transatlantic market?
MC-21 suffers runway excursion during simulated single-engine failure
One of the flight-test Irkut MC-21-300s has been involved in a runway excursion at Moscow Zhukovsky during an exercise simulating single-engine failure.
Sriwijaya crash probe aims for preliminary findings in early February
Indonesian investigators are aiming to publish preliminary findings regarding the Sriwijaya Boeing 737-500 crash in early February, in line with ICAO standards.
Australia wary on reopening international borders this year despite vaccine
Australian officials have indicated its international borders are unlikely to reopen this year, even while it gets underway with vaccinating its population.
China Eastern sees senior management reshuffle
China Eastern Airlines vice president Jiang Jiang has resigned from his role, amid broader senior management changes that will see replacements in its supervisory committee.
Singapore kicks off vaccination exercise for aviation sector
Singapore has rolled out an ambitious drive to get staff in the aviation sector inoculated against the coronavirus, as it hopes the exercise will provide a shot in the arm for the battered industry.
Lease negotiations with Thai reaching ‘critical phase’: AA4
Negotiations between Thai Airways International and one of its lessors Amedeo Air Four Plus (AA4) over the future of four Airbus A350-900s are reaching a “critical phase” as the airline is due to finalise its restructuring plan next month.
Congo Airways enhances Embraer order with a pair of E195-E2s
African carrier Congo Airways has ordered another pair of Embraer E2 regional jets, with an agreement to take two E195-E2s.
Airline bookings weaken as IATA warns recovery ‘some way away’
Forward airline bookings have weakened going into the first quarter of 2021, as IATA warns that the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better.
Airline coronavirus recovery tracker: January 2021 update
Our regular examination of the latest global data for several key airline market indicators, including international and domestic travel restrictions, traffic and capacity in passenger and cargo markets, in-service and stored fleets, jet fuel costs, and share price trends for the world’s largest groups.
Does shift towards pre-flight Covid-19 testing spell disaster for airlines?
The tightening of border controls is an emerging theme in the early days of 2021, as governments react to concerns about new variants of Covid-19 and soaring infection rates in many regions.
Air travel demand flatlined in November: IATA
Air travel demand remained sharply down in November, IATA’s latest industry statistics show, as resurgent Covid-19 cases and renewed travel restrictions battered passenger confidence.