Pilar Wolfsteller
Pilar Wolfsteller, Americas Air Transport Editor, is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and brings a pilot’s perspective to her beat. She covers airlines across the hemisphere and her interests also include future-oriented sustainable aviation technology and urban air mobility projects. Pilar began her journalism career at the global news agencies Bloomberg and Reuters, and has reported from more than 50 countries.
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NewsUS government publishes health guidance for airlines and airports
The US Departments of Transportation, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services have jointly published a report outlining recommendations for public safety as the world continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
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Boeing communications chief resigns over commentary published in 1987
A top Boeing executive has resigned over an article he wrote more than three decades ago in which he advocated that women should not be permitted to serve in combat roles in the military.
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FAA completes three days of 737 Max flight testing
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has completed three days of flight tests on the Boeing 737 Max ahead of a possible recertification in the coming weeks.
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Hawaiian reinstates flights to mainland US
Hawaiian Airlines will reinstate flights to the mainland USA in August, as the state of Hawaii begins to lift its draconian restrictions on movement within the islands as well as between the islands and the airline’s main destinations on the west coast of North America.
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NBAA cancels 2020 business aviation convention
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has cancelled its annual business aviation convention and exhibition (NBAA-BACE), due to take place in Orlando later this year, due to ongoing coronavirus concerns and travel restrictions.
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Inspector General slams Boeing for holding back information on 737 Max
A US government report has found that Boeing purposefully held back information about the automated flight-control system on its re-engineered 737 Max during the aircraft’s certification process, that led to two fatal aircraft crashes that killed 346 people.
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Major US airlines announce schedule changes
The three US legacy passenger carriers have announced changes to their schedules after a four-month period in which capacity and demand had hit all-time lows due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Aeromexico files for bankruptcy
Grupo Aeromexico, the parent company of Mexican flag carrier Aeromexico, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US after the coronavirus pandemic decimated its business.
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Despite almost certain job cuts, airlines sell vision of brighter days ahead
US airline human resources executives forecast short-term pain for aviation employees but must remain upbeat that their industry will find a way out of its current slump in order to attract candidates back to fulfilling careers when the coronavirus is history. For many of them, it’s a tough sell.
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Norwegian cancels 97 Boeing aircraft orders
Norwegian has cancelled orders for 97 Boeing aircraft including examples of the troubled 737 Max and the 787 Dreamliner, and is claiming compensation for financial losses related to the two jets.
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Boeing 737 Max takes off on first FAA recertification flight
Boeing’s beleaguered 737 Max aircraft has taken a big step towards recertification more than 15 months after it was grounded, as it launched on its first official recertification flight.
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Porter Airlines delays restart to 31 August
Canada’s Porter Airlines will restart its operations a month later than previously planned due to ongoing coronavirus-prompted travel restrictions that continue to make business difficult.
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United reinstates flights to Asia
United Airlines will resume flights between the US and several destinations in Asia next month.
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US airlines pledge to refund fares of travellers denied boarding due to fever
Major US airlines have promised to refund the cost of tickets for passengers who are denied boarding because of elevated temperatures, which could be a symptom of coronavirus.
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Air Canada chief executive blasts government for maintaining travel restrictions
Air Canada’s chief executive Calin Rovinescu excoriated the government of Canada for maintaining draconian coronavirus-prompted travel restrictions across the country, hindering the air transport industry’s ability to return to any semblance of normal operations.
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WestJet permanently cuts more than 3,000 jobs
Canada’s WestJet has permanently cut more than one third of its remaining workforce as the effects of the pandemic force the airline to reduce and outsource services in an effort to continue cutting costs.
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Congressional watchdog urges DOT to create coronavirus prevention plan
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has again recommended the US Department of Transportation (DOT) develop a national aviation preparedness plan to respond to communicable diseases like the coronavirus pandemic which brought the air transport industry to a near-standstill earlier this year.
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Alaska Airlines to bring E175s to Alaska
Alaska Airlines will be adding Embraer 175 regional jets to its fleet flying within the state of Alaska, bringing in the smaller-gauge aircraft on routes that would not be profitable using larger jets.
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Honeywell starts flight testing autonomous landing system for urban air mobility vehicles
Honeywell Aerospace has begun flight testing an automated system that will help urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles land autonomously.
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Air Canada raises additional C$1.23b in cash
Air Canada has raised additional liquidity to help keep itself afloat as the coronavirus pandemic drags on.
