AirlinesRavnAir Alaska shuts down, enters Chapter 11 RavnAir Alaska, a regional carrier providing connectivity throughout the state of Alaska with a fleet of 72 aircraft, has entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and shut down with immediate effect.
The Anchorage-based airline holds out hopes of restarting operations once the COVID-19 pandemic passes.
LinkAnsett Australia - What Went Wrong? Ansett Australia, the main rival to Qantas back at the turn of the century, collapsed after facing new low-cost-carrier competition, low demand following the September 11th, 2001 attacks and fleet problems. We take a look at what went wrong for the Australian airline.
LinkIran's Mahan Air Banned From Spanish Airports In what appears to be a political rather than safety or regulatory issue, Spain is prohibiting Iran’s Mahan Air from landing at its airports. The airline had been flying into Barcelona but had to quit the route in late March when Spain suddenly cancelled the airline’s license. Unofficially, sources are saying it is part of a wider move to isolate Iran.
LinkAmerican Airlines To Receive $5.8 Billion In Goverment Aid American Airlines will receive $5.8 billion in government aid to pay its employees as the airline announced on April 14th. Amid a sharp decline in profits and revenue, the airline joined a coalition of others to seek government aid. Now, after the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, American Airlines will receive funds to pay its employees.
LinkAllegiant To Delay New Iowa & North Carolina Bases Citing a decline in demand for travel, Allegiant Air is taking steps to alter its operations amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. One of those steps includes delaying two new bases in Iowa and North Carolina as announced by the carrier on April 14th.
LinkSouth African Airways Will Not Receive Further Government Support South African Airways (SAA) has reached the end of the line for receiving funds from the South African government. On April 14th, the business rescue team circulated a letter to affected parties indicating that the government had denied additional funding to keep the loss-making airline afloat any further.
LinkSpirit Has So Far Repatriated Over 1000 People Over the last 13 days, Spirit Airlines has performed special flights to bring more than 1000 United States citizens, residents, and family members home. Global flight restrictions have made it a tough job for those abroad to travel. Therefore, Spirit has helped them travel safely during this tough time.
LinkNorwegian Unable To Pay April Wages Struggling budget carrier Norwegian Air has told its UK employees that it does not have the funds to pay April wages. Employees were previously told to expect pay cuts and redundancies as the airline tries to survive the current downturn in travel demand.
LinkFinnair Keeps Cargo Moving With Asian Air Bridge Finnish flag-carrier Finnair may not be ferrying passengers between Asia and Finland at the moment, but it is making use of its network to meet an increase in cargo demand. The airline said on Wednesday that it is carrying food supplies — and coronavirus test samples —to Asia while bringing essential medical supplies back to Europe.
LinkEmirates Starts Passenger Coronavirus Blood Tests Before Flights Emirates has begun testing passengers for coronavirus before select flights. The United Arab Emirates flag carrier is conducting blood tests at the airport prior to travel. The airline is the first in the world to carry out such action.
LinkAirlines Accused Of Taking Advantage Of Stranded Passengers US travelers who are stranded abroad are accusing airlines of taking advantage of their situation. Some are reporting prices for one way tickets back to the US in excess of $2,000, on routes that would normally be just a few hundred dollars. Airlines have hit back, saying prices reflect the cost of operating these flights, particularly when one way is flown empty.
LinkAir France Plans The Retirement Of Its Airbus A380s Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith has told local media this week that he is anticipating the retirement of the rest of the A380s in the Air France fleet. One aircraft was already removed earlier this year, and with no demand for travel now and a predicted slow recovery, it’s unlikely the giant jumbo will have a role in the near future. It raises the question; will we ever see the A380 operate for Air France again?
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