Coronavirus

Despite recording a pandemic-driven CNY10.8 billion ($1.65 billion) net loss for 2020, China Southern Airlines is optimistic on the prospects for the aviation market in the longer term.

Europe hopes its digital green certificate will help drive an air travel recovery, while the U.S. government is more skeptical.

ETIHAD AIRWAYS plans to temporarily convert cabin of a fifth 777-300ER to carry cargo.

FLIGHTAWARE reports global traffic averaged 57,030 daily flights for week of March 22-28, 2021, up 50% from 2020 but down 40% from 2019; US traffic

Nearly 70% of fixed base operators in the U.S. and Canada experienced a decline in fuel sales in 2020 compared to the previous year, according to an annual FBO fuel sales survey by the Aviation Business Strategies Group.

FLYR, Norway signed LOI to lease two 737-800s (source TBA) for delivery in May/June for startup, pending AOC.

ALLEGIANT AIR sold three A320-200s to FGL Aircraft USA (Fuyo General Lease), and leased them back. ALM arranged deal.

AIRASIA GROUP lost MYR5.9b in 2020 (vs MYR283m loss in 2019) on 74% lower revenues.

Airlines add back domestic capacity as restrictions are lifted ahead of key peak travel periods.

LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT handled 1.6m pax in February, down 72% vs Feb 2020; air cargo increased 42.5%.

QATAR AIRWAYS announced plans to operate >1,200 weekly flights to >140 destinations, including 23 destinations in Africa, 14 in North/South America

SMARTWINGS secured €76m loan agreement with syndicate of banks led by UniCredit Bank, along with Komerční banka, Československá obchodní banka and

AAPA members flew 4b RPKs in February, down 94.5% vs February 2020; capacity fell 85.1% to 16b ASKs. PLF was 24.8%.

COLIBRI AIRCRAFT, UK reports 2,227 pre-owned business jets were purchased globally in 2020, up from 2,067 in 2019.

The European Commission (EC) has approved €24.7 million ($29 million) of Italian support for Alitalia, aimed at compensating the airline for COVID-19 losses on certain routes in November and December 2020.

NORWEGIAN received Irish High Court approval for its reconstruction process (Examinership) in Ireland and says it will now send same proposal to

ALITALIA received EC approval for €24.7m state aid to compensate for damages in November/December due to COVID-19.

SAS sold new A350-900 (484) to CDB Aviation Lease Finance for leaseback. It also agreed to sell three LEAP-powered A320neos (for delivery in 1H22) to

Singapore’s Air Force has taken delivery of its first H225M helicopter from Airbus as part of a renewal of the city state’s rotary-wing fleet.

Delta Air Lines is to offer flights from three U.S. destinations to Iceland this summer after the country became the first in Europe to allow entry for fully vaccinated Americans.

Manufacturers are exploring UV and thermal disinfection as well as antimicrobial coatings to improve cabin hygiene.

U.S. carriers report an uptick in bookings for spring and summer travel, spurred on by positive momentum in COVID-19 case counts, deaths and coronavirus vaccination rates.

Japan’s airlines are once again ramping up their domestic services after enduring a major setback in the first part of 2021 due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren, who assumed his new role as Airlines for Europe (A4E) chairman on March 25, anticipates a challenging year ahead as Europe’s airlines attempt to revive their air links in the wake of COVID-19.

Ethiopian Airlines has reported that it operated 5,645 cargo flights using the cabin of passenger aircraft for freight over the past 12 months.