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Boeing Offers Staff The Possibility Of Voluntary Lay Offs
Today, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun outlined voluntary layoff plans for employees to help the manufacturer weather the coronavirus storm. In a letter to staff, he stated that the long-term effect of the virus, coupled with the recent 737 MAX issues, has resulted in the necessary introduction of money-saving initiatives. It is thought that early-retirement will also be offered.
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What Will Happen To Aircraft Deliveries During Aviation's Slump?
Before the coronavirus pandemic came along and changed the world as we know it, it was business as usual for airlines around the world. Some were struggling, but many had ambitious plans for expansion. Of course, fleet expansion is one of the main aspects of airline growth, but what will happen to existing aircraft orders and deliveries now that the industry has been turned on its head?
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Could Planes Like The 747 Combi Make A Comeback?
The current aviation crisis has given thought to a rather unorthodox idea. Could large aircraft designs split between cargo and passengers make a comeback? Let’s explore.
LinkAirlines
How The Industry Is Reacting To The Coronavirus Crisis
According to an OAG report dated 30th of March, almost 30% of global airline capacity was wiped out in just one week. The week of 23rd-30th of March saw the airline industry fall into one of its gloomiest periods ever. The number of seats offered by airlines right now is almost 50% of what it was during the mid of January.
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Australian Government Rules Out Virgin Australia Bailout
The news for Virgin Australia gets worse by the day. There are reports this morning that the Australian government will decline the airline’s request for a bailout loan, preferring to let the airline fail and then facilitate the entry of a new airline.
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Delta Resumes Detroit To Shanghai Airbus A350 Flights– Here's Why
In recent days, the news coming out of most airlines is the suspension of additional routes and a cut in major long-haul flying. But, on March 30th, Delta Air Lines resumed flights between Detroit and Shanghai using an Airbus A350 to support important cargo links.
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Frontier Slashes 90% Of Operations As Demand Falls
As demand for travel plummets, Frontier Airlines has cancelled most of its flights in April. The Denver based low-cost carrier joins other US carriers in reducing capacity by up to 90% this month. However, Frontier Airlines remains optimistic, hoping to increase the number of flights it operates in May and June.
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Wizz Air Not Hesitant Of Large Airbus Order
Several carriers have made it clear that they want to push back deliveries of new aircraft amid the downturn within the industry. However, Wizz Air has shared that it has no plans to postpone its Airbus arrivals this year.
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Kenya Airways Seeks Multi-Billion Shilling Government Bailout
Kenya Airways has requested a multi-billion shilling bailout from its government amid the growing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline was forced to halt international flights as per a governmental order on March 22nd and now much of its fleet remains grounded.
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National Airlines delivers critical COVID-19 relief
National Airlines Boeing 747-400 freighters are carrying out highly critical COVID-19 missions worldwide to quickly deliver urgently needed COVID-19 laboratory testing supplies and protective gear.
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State aid for airlines – the story so far
While airlines globally call out for as much as $200 billion in aid to survive Covid 19, governments – with the exception of the US – have so far failed to pledge a similar amount to the industry.
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Are Delta And United Too Big To Fail?
It’s been a while since the world has thought about the principle of airlines being too big to fail. The current coronavirus pandemic, however, is prompting governments to reexamine this doctrine as they consider the specifics of airline bailouts. We take a look at whether some of the US’ largest airlines risk collapse post-coronavirus. Are Delta and United too big to fail?
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airBaltic's Boeing 737s Won't Return When Operations Resume
airBaltic’s Boeing 737’s won’t reappear in the airBaltic fleet once the airline resumes operations. The Latvian airline has three Boeing 737s remaining in its fleet, however, it has for a long time been eying solely Airbus A220 operations.
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JetBlue Steps Up To Transport Medical Workers For Free
Even though air travel and passenger traffic have been down significantly for airlines around the world, they are still doing their part to support the public during this pandemic. Many airlines are running repatriation flights, some are flying their aircraft to collect and deliver distant medical supplies. And then there are airlines like JetBlue, helping medical professionals get to places where they are needed most – for free.
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Royal Air Maroc Is Now A Member Of oneworld
It’s official; since the 1st of April, the oneworld alliance has its first new full member in six years. In spite of trying times, on Wednesday Royal Air Maroc became the first African airline to join the alliance.
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Emirates To Resume Passenger Flights On Monday
Emirates is set to resume a limited number of flights as soon as Monday. Sheikh Ahmed gave the news earlier today via Twitter. The airline was grounded last week when the UAE authorities banned all flights out of the country.
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A Nationalization Of Brussels Airlines Could Be On The Cards
Brussels Airlines, a member of the Lufthansa Group, is reported to be in ‘virtual bankruptcy’. Today, it seems the airline could be exploring extreme options to try and remain afloat. One option on the table is a re-nationalization of the airline; something that it is said to be investigating with a high-level group of experts.
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British Airways To Avoid Job Cuts But May Suspend 36,000 Staff
It looks as though British Airways is expected to make no staff redundant as a result of the current aviation crisis. However, it will come at the cost of 36,000 employees being suspended, according to sources.
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Loganair Aicraft Drafted In As Coronavirus Air Ambulances
Tomorrow, 3rd April, Loganair will undertake its first mission to transport patients with COVID-19 in Scotland. The regional airline has been working to convert two aircraft for this purpose, one of which – a DHC-6 Twin Otter – is nearing completion. This is thought to be the first mission of its kind for the airline.
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In Photos: Grounded Planes & Ghost Airports All Over The World
The aviation industry across the entire world is feeling the shock of the coronavirus crisis right now. From Australia to Canada, once busy airports stand empty and forlorn, while thousands of aircraft are mothballed. Here are some of the eeriest, most haunting and poignant images of the state of the industry right now around the world.
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Drone footage shows impact of COVID-19 on operations at Stansted Airport
New drone footage recorded by Stansted Airport shows the lack of movement at the airport, as well as aircraft parked in all available space.
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Luton Airport Was Busier Than Gatwick And Stansted Yesterday
In a bizarre turn of events, Luton Airport was actually busier than both Stansted and even London Gatwick Airport yesterday. Thanks to Wizz Air’s continued operations, the airport handled 20 movements as opposed to 12 at London Gatwick.
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Why So Few Pilots Are Allowed At Bhutan’s Paro Airport
Bhutan’s Paro International Airport is frequently featured on lists over the “world’s most dangerous airports.” Less than two dozen pilots are certified to make the manual by-daylight-only approach between 18,000 ft peaks, through a long, winding valley and onto a runway that is only 7,431 ft long, and visible only moments before landing.
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Aviation Quote
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd planned to speak to you tonight to report on the state of the Union, but the events of earlier today have led me to change those plans. Today is a day for mourning and remembering. Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger. We know we share this pain with all of the people of our country. This is truly a national loss.
Nineteen years ago, almost to the day, we lost three astronauts in a terrible accident on the ground. But, we've never lost an astronaut in flight; we've never had a tragedy like this. And perhaps we've forgotten the courage it took for the crew of the shuttle; but they, the Challenger Seven, were aware of the dangers, but overcame them and did their jobs brilliantly. We mourn seven heroes: Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe. We mourn their loss as a nation together.
For the families of the seven, we cannot bear, as you do, the full impact of this tragedy. But we feel the loss, and we're thinking about you so very much. Your loved ones were daring and brave, and they had that special grace, that special spirit that says, 'Give me a challenge and I'll meet it with joy.' They had a hunger to explore the universe and discover its truths. They wished to serve, and they did. They served all of us.
We've grown used to wonders in this century. It's hard to dazzle us. But for twenty-five years the United States space program has been doing just that. We've grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we've only just begun. We're still pioneers. They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers.
And I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's takeoff. I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them.
I've always had great faith in and respect for our space program, and what happened today does nothing to diminish it. We don't hide our space program. We don't keep secrets and cover things up. We do it all up front and in public. That's the way freedom is, and we wouldn't change it for a minute. We'll continue our quest in space. There will be more shuttle flights and more shuttle crews and, yes, more volunteers, more civilians, more teachers in space. Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue. I want to add that I wish I could talk to every man and woman who works for NASA or who worked on this mission and tell them: "Your dedication and professionalism have moved and impressed us for decades. And we know of your anguish. We share it."
There's a coincidence today. On this day 390 years ago, the great explorer Sir Francis Drake died aboard ship off the coast of Panama. In his lifetime the great frontiers were the oceans, and a historian later said, 'He lived by the sea, died on it, and was buried in it.' Well, today we can say of the Challenger crew: Their dedication was, like Drake's, complete.
The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.'
Thank you.
- President Ronald Reagan - January 28, 1986
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