Coronavirus

ALITALIA received EC approval for €73.02m state aid package to compensate airline for damages suffered on 19 routes from COVID-19 pandemic.
Air Transport

AIRASIA GROUP disposed of 32.67% of its equity shares in AIRASIA INDIA (30 A320s), reducing stake to 16.33%.
Air Transport

LAX

LAX handled 2.04m pax in November, down 70% vs Nov 2019; cargo fell 14%.
Air Transport

ETIHAD AIRWAYS launched pax/cargo charter and special flight services unit.
Air Transport

BOEING now plans to consolidate 787 production (out of Everett) to North Charleston in March 2021 (vs mid-2021), when it is now expected to cut
Aerospace

By Michael Bruno
The Trump administration’s trade representative announced Dec. 30 that it would recalculate how it applies punitive tariffs on EU goods stemming from the Airbus-Boeing airliner subsidy dispute, and will expand targeted imports to include large aircraft parts from Germany and France.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

By Steve Trimble
Lockheed Martin announced on Dec. 28 that it had delivered 120 F-35As in 2020, a year complicated by supply chain disruptions of the program’s global production system.
Supply Chain

By Lori Ranson
Azul is planning to expand its new regional operation as it works toward a goal of serving 200 destinations in Brazil.
Airlines & Lessors

By Alan Dron
British Airways (BA) plans to transfer a small group of long-haul routes to London Gatwick from London Heathrow for the start of the airline industry’s summer season.
Airlines & Lessors

By Alan Dron
Abu Dhabi, the federal capital of the United Arab Emirates and one of the seven that constitute the small desert nation, has eased its strict quarantine regulations.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

By Sean Broderick
Heico is gaining ground with lessors as they embrace more cost-friendly options for cash-strapped airlines, the OEM-alternative-parts specialist reports.
Supply Chain

QANTAS and JAPAN AIRLINES plan to form joint business to accelerate travel recovery between Australia, New Zealand and Japan via codesharing
Air Transport

AEGEAN, Greece secured EC approval for €120m state aid package.
Air Transport

By Molly McMillin
The FAA, in a grant of COVID-19-related relief, has extended deadlines for proficiency and competency checks and completion of crew training, following a petition from the National Air Transportation Association.
Safety, Ops & Regulation

By Molly McMillin
U.S. business aviation activity remains in a plateau, with flight operations falling 17% in November, down from October activities, and yearly declines remaining in the mid-teen ranges during the second half of 2020, a report by J.P. Morgan analysts says.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Ben Goldstein
More than 32,000 furloughed airline employees received a second lifeline from the U.S. Congress, but their newfound job security may prove to be fleeting.
Airlines & Lessors

By Tony Osborne
NATO is hoping to declare an initial operating capability for its Alliance Ground Surveillance fleet of Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawks in early 2021 after plans were delayed by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Kurt Hofmann
The future of smaller and midsize hubs in Europe will depend on the recovery of long-haul routes, according to Vienna Airport CEO Julian Jager.
Airports & Networks

By Jens Flottau
Europe’s largest airline reached another interim deal with its pilot union Dec. 23.
Airlines & Lessors

By Adrian Schofield
Qantas and Japan Airlines (JAL) have revealed plans for extensive cooperation on routes between Australasia and Japan.
Airlines & Lessors

LOT POLISH AIRLINES secured approval from European Commission and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland for PLN2.9b aid package
Air Transport

EASYJET deferred 22 A320neo Family aircraft from FY22-FY24 to FY27-FY28, plus push back 15 delivery dates in FY22-FY24; changes mean no deliveries in
Air Transport

IBERIA (IAG) agreed to acquire AIR EUROPA for €500m (deferred to 2026); price was reduced by 50% over market conditions.
Air Transport

CAPA-Centre for Aviation
Finally, a light at the end of a very long tunnel. But 2021 will still be tough.
Airlines & Lessors

By Lori Ranson
As Canada’s airlines wait for details of specific financial aid from the government, the country aims by next summer to introduce new rules addressing large-scale flight cancellations.
Airlines & Lessors