Saab to deliver six Gripen Es in 2021, as contest decisions near
Saab will deliver a combined six Gripen E fighters to Brazil and Sweden this year, as the manufacturer also pursues additional export opportunities for the new-generation type.
Gol acquires regional operator MAP for R$28 million
Brazilian low-cost carrier Gol will acquire compatriot and regional operator MAP Linhas Aéreas, in a R$28 million ($5.56 million) deal that will give Gol a boost in its domestic network.
April air cargo demand up 12% from pre-crisis level: IATA
Global air cargo demand in April was up 12% from pre-crisis levels, according to IATA, as the sector continues to offer a rare positive airline story during the Covid-19 crisis.
Embraer’s Eve clinches second major order for eVTOLs
Embraer’s urban air mobility unit Eve has secured fresh commitments for its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — its second major order in about a week.
Brazilian air force to nearly double Saab Gripen order, cut KC-390 order in half: reports
In a major shakeup of its aircraft buying plans, the Brazilian air force plans to nearly double its order of Saab Gripen fighters and cut its number of Embraer KC-390 Millennium transports roughly in half.
Lockheed Martin to produce 133 to 139 F-35s in 2021 as Covid hangover lingers
Lockheed Martin plans to manufacture between 133 and 139 examples of its F-35 stealth fighter in 2021, a number about the same as 2019 levels, but below previous projections as the programme continues to feel the lingering effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Airline Business Friday Briefing: Let us fly again, please
Several of the world’s largest airlines began the week with a rare show of unity during a joint press conference to demand that governments open up UK-USA travel.
Time for action on reopening UK-US market: Gallego
IAG chief executive Luis Gallego is calling for action in re-opening the US-UK aviation market after plans for a taskforce to study the opening up of the market emerged.
Transat limps out of fiscal Q2, hopes to restart operations on 30 July
Transat AT, the parent company of Canadian leisure airline Air Transat, continues to struggle as its operations remain suspended amid uncertainty about when Canada will lift its pandemic-driven travel restrictions.
United negotiating to buy Airbus and Boeing narrowbody jets: reports
United Airlines is reportedly talking with Airbus and Boeing about purchasing a total of 200 aircraft, including jets from both airframers.
Kuwait’s Jazeera steps up to London Heathrow services
Kuwaiti budget carrier Jazeera Airways is to open London Heathrow services from mid-June, two years after commencing operations at London Gatwick.
Cargo ‘permanently’ central to passenger-network decisions: Qatar Airways
Cargo has “permanently” grown in importance to Qatar Airways’ network decision-making, to the point where passenger demand alone is not enough justification to launch or relaunch a connection.
April air cargo demand up 12% from pre-crisis level: IATA
Global air cargo demand in April was up 12% from pre-crisis levels, according to IATA, as the sector continues to offer a rare positive airline story during the Covid-19 crisis.
Is IATA right to call for ‘data-driven decisions’ on international travel?
IATA’s belief is that draconian government restrictions are standing in the way of a meaningful restart of international travel, and that data proves those restrictions are an overreaction to the actual risks.
Emirates adds first Miami flights as Gulf carriers embrace US return
Emirates is to launch its first service to Miami in July, the latest step as Gulf carriers build back their US networks to pre-Covid crisis levels.
Irish regional Stobart Air ceases operations
Struggling Irish regional carrier Stobart Air has terminated its franchise agreement with Aer Lingus and is to cease operations following the collapse of a proposed purchase of the airline.
Lufthansa to serve Majorca with widebodies after demand surge
Lufthansa will deploy Airbus A350 and Boeing 747-8 widebodies on flights from Frankfurt and Munich to the Spanish island of Majorca this summer, in response to a “significant” increase in demand.
EC evaluating when 80:20 slot rules will apply again
European regulators are continuing to evaluate slot rules for the coming winter season in light of likely lower traffic volumes as European transport commissioner Adina Valean says it is too early to say when the 80:20 use-it-or-lose-it slots rules will return.
Eurowings to open Prague base in October
Lufthansa’s low-cost subsidiary Eurowings will establish a base at Prague airport with initially two Airbus A320s scheduled to begin operations on 31 October.
Air Europa to reinstate 87% of long-haul routes in July
Air Europa will restore the majority of its US and Latin American services next month, when it will operate 87% of its pre-pandemic long-haul routes.
Australia, Singapore PMs discuss travel restart
The prime ministers of Australia and Singapore have announced that they are looking at how to reboot air travel between the two countries.
Hong Kong, Singapore eye another go at air travel bubble
Singapore and Hong Kong will review their long-delayed air travel bubble arrangement in July, as the number of Covid-19 cases in Singapore continues to drop.
Rex obtains full flight simulator for 737
Australia’s Regional Express (Rex) has acquired a full flight simulator for the Boeing 737.
PAL still focused on prearranged Chapter 11 filing
Philippine Airlines did not file for Chapter 11 at the end of May as it had suggested to its lessors, but the carrier is still working towards a prearranged insolvency in the USA, three of its lessors tell Cirium.
Hong Kong Airlines goes to ‘critical survival mode’, flying only eight jets
Hong Kong Airlines (HKA) will stand down its fleet of Airbus A320s until mid-2022 and operate a skeletal fleet of just eight A330s on cargo flights, as the embattled carrier enters what it calls “a critical survival mode”.
Opposition sceptical over details of SAA public-private pact
South Africa’s political opposition has expressed characteristic scepticism over the public-private partnership unveiled for flag-carrier South African Airways, questioning the financing of the proposed agreement.
South African government to sell majority of SAA to investor consortium
South Africa’s government is to sell a majority share in South African Airways to a consortium of investors, as part of the effort to relaunch the troubled flag-carrier.
April air cargo demand up 12% from pre-crisis level: IATA
Global air cargo demand in April was up 12% from pre-crisis levels, according to IATA, as the sector continues to offer a rare positive airline story during the Covid-19 crisis.
Pandemic shaves $10 billion off African airlines’ revenue: AFRAA
African carriers lost $10.2 billion in passenger revenues last year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and will continue to lose money in 2021, according to a report published by airline association AFRAA.
Ethiopian 777-300ER returns to service after steering into Lagos mud
Ethiopian Airlines has returned a Boeing 777-300ER to service after an incident in which the aircraft partially left a taxiway after arriving at Lagos.