Pilar Wolfsteller
Pilar Wolfsteller, Americas Air Transport Editor, is based in Las Vegas 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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NewsHawaiian Airlines posts Q4 loss as travel restrictions remain
Hawaiian Airlines reported a fourth-quarter loss of $172.8 million as the ongoing global coronavirus crisis and ensuing strict travel restrictions in its home state continue to create hardship for the business.
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Alaska posts $316mn Q4 loss, sees mixed bag for 2021
Alaska Air Group lost $316 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, and is preparing for a mixed bag in the current year as the coronavirus crisis drags on.
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US extends entry ban for most European nations and Brazil
The US government has extended an entry ban preventing travellers from Europe’s Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Brazil from entering the country in a further attempt to slow the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus, and its even more virulent mutations.
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Sun Country introduces 16 new direct flights
Leisure specialist Sun Country has introduced 16 new flights, adding nine additional airports to its network in an effort to offer more passengers possibilities to fly direct to popular vacation destinations.
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Alaska takes delivery of first Boeing 737 Max
Alaska Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max aircraft as it begins to streamline its fleet, in an effort to improve overall efficiency and profitability.
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US travel industry pushes back on potential quarantine
The US air transport and travel industries are pushing back on a potential quarantine requirement for international travellers arriving in the US, currently being weighed by the administration of President Joe Biden, in order to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
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JetBlue complains it is being locked out of London slots
JetBlue Airways has complained to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) that it is being locked out of securing slots in London for its planned transatlantic expansion.
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Biden requires masks on flights, pursues quarantine for international arrivals
The US government is mandating travellers wear face coverings on all public transportation, including on commercial airline flights and in airports, and is moving to require quarantines for inbound international passengers.
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Canada’s WestJet returns Boeing 737 Max to service
Canada’s WestJet returned the Boeing 737 Max to revenue service on 21 January with a flight from Calgary to Vancouver, becoming Canada’s first airline to fly the aircraft commercially following an almost two-year pause.
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United expects expanded profit margins by 2023
United Airlines expects to exceed its 2019 profit margin by 2023, executives say a day after the airline reported a $7.1 billion full-year loss for coronavirus-plagued 2020.
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US President Biden to sign order mandating masks on aircraft
The new US administration of President Joe Biden will require face coverings be worn on flights in a more rigorous attempt to contain exploding coronavirus case counts across the country, according to reports.
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United posts $1.9b Q4 loss ahead of ‘transition year’
United Airlines lost $1.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2020 but is preparing for a “transition year”, following the devastating effects of the global coronavirus pandemic on the airline’s business and the industry as a whole.
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KLM temporarily suspends 270 flights
Dutch carrier KLM will reportedly suspend 270 flights to the Netherlands after the country’s government imposed new requirements to try to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
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Biden team says US travel restrictions will remain
The administration of US President-elect Joe Biden has no intention of immediately lifting the USA’s entry ban on travellers arriving from certain coronavirus-affected countries.
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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.
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US airlines gear up for potential trouble ahead of presidential inauguration
US airlines have adopted stricter safety policies on flights to and from the Washington, DC-area ahead of the presidential inauguration scheduled for 20 January.
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Volocopter working toward FAA approval of VoloCity eVTOL
German urban air mobility company Volocopter has received FAA permission to pursue certification of its autonomous, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) passenger drone design for flights in the USA.
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Delta Air Lines’ 2020 loss tops $12 billion in ‘toughest year’
Delta Air Lines reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $755 million as the carrier endured what the it calls “the toughest year in Delta’s history”.
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FAA warns passengers to behave onboard aircraft
The FAA is warning unruly passengers that it will not tolerate violent or harassing behaviour on board aircraft following numerous incidents on flights to and from Washington, DC last week.
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Canadian airlines’ coronavirus anguish far from over
Canadian airlines continue to struggle as the coronavius forces more job cuts, smaller networks and louder calls for government assistance.
