NewsAccidents/Incidents
Passengers provide identical COVID tests, flight canceled
Russian airline Pegas Fly was forced to cancel a flight from Moscow, Russia, to Zhengzhou, China, after COVID-19 tests of almost 200 passengers were found to be identical.
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Lightning strike impeds Air New Zealand’s flight
A domestic Air New Zealand flight was diverted after the flight crew suspected the turboprop being hit by a lightning strike. The carrier’s ATR-72 was forced to divert to Auckland Airport (AKL) instead of scheduled arrival at Hamilton International Airport (HZL).
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Cancellation Chaos For Delta Over Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods in the US airlines’ calendars. But Delta Air Lines has canceled hundreds of flights, upending thousands of passengers’ travel plans. It’s a blow to the reputation of Delta Air Lines and a blow to passengers over what’s going to be the busiest weekend for airlines in a long time.
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Former Thai Airways CEO Jailed For Using Position To Avoid Luggage Fees
The former chairman of Thai Airways has been sentenced for two years for failing to pay for excess baggage. The case found that Wallop Bhukkanasut, who was chairman of the board at the time, used his status to take bags weighing 300kg above the airline’s limit on a flight in 2009.
LinkCommercial
Brazil’s ANAC clears Boeing 737 MAX to fly
The National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) of Brazil approved the Boeing 737 MAX to fly in Brazil after the authority grounded the aircraft in March 2019.
The ANAC followed the lead of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Brazilian authority adopted the same Airworthiness Directive (AD) that the FAA released on November 18, 2020, announcing the effective un-grounding of the jet.
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Embraer Designs Retrofit HEPA Filter For Its ERJ145 Aircraft
Embraer has finished designing a solution for ERJ145 operators who wish to fit high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to their aircraft. The product will become available to operators from mid-December onwards, should they choose to take advantage of it.
LinkAirlines
Delta plans to introduce quarantine-free travel to Europe
Delta Air Lines announced its plans to re-launch passenger flights to Europe. Partnered together with Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) and Aeroporti di Roma, the managing company of both Rome-Fiumicino (FCO) and Rome-Ciampino (CIA) airport, the airline will once again carry passengers to mainland Europe.
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Latvian airBaltic might need additional money, CEO hints
airBaltic, the flag carrier of Latvia, might need additional financial support from the government of the country if the situation with the COVID-19 related travel restrictions does not change by the spring 2021.
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EasyJet to reduce operations in Italy
In the midst of new lockdown measures, low cost carrier EasyJet will reorganize its operations in Italy.
The carrier plans to reduce its operations in three national airports: Milan Malpensa (MXP), Venice Marco Polo (VCE) and Naples Capodichino (NAP). EasyJet will reduce its fleet by 9 planes, bringing the total number from 36 to 27 aircraft.
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Flydubai operates first scheduled Dubai-Tel Aviv flight
On November 26, 2020, Flydubai operated the first direct flight Dubai-Tel Aviv, greeted by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Flydubai flight FZ1163 landed in Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport (TLV) at 11:38am local time, flightradar24.com data shows.
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#SaveLandor – effort to save British Airways Boeing 747
The fortunes of British Airways Boeing 747 fleet turned for the worst very fast. While the British airline initially planned to retire the Queens in 2024, the current pandemic derailed the plans. Yet some enthusiasts are trying to save the retro-livered aircraft, namely the 747 painted in the Landor livery to celebrate the 100th birthday of British Airways.
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Peru Wants To Launch A State Low-Cost Carrier Named LAPERU
The Peruvian Government is aiming to create a new low-cost state-owned carrier under the name of Línea Aérea de Bandera del Perú or LAPERU. If the project pans out, it would become the first low-cost state-owned airline in the world. But, would it be fair to other airlines in the country and South America?
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El Al Pushes Final Boeing 787 Dreamliner Delivery To March 2021
Israel’s flag carrier El Al has agreed with Boeing to delay the delivery of its final Boeing 787-8 for a second time. Boeing granted the deferral due to financial complications caused by the global pandemic.
LinkAirports
Airlines Want Use It Or Lose It Slot Rules Suspended Until October
On Thursday, the Worldwide Airport Slot Board (WASB) released a statement urging global regulators to extend the waiver of the 80-20 ‘use it or lose it’ airport slot rule. Currently suspended until the end of March, it says that it is vital for airline recovery – and millions of jobs – that it remains relaxed until the end of the next summer season.
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Shanghai Overtakes London As Best City For Air Connectivity
Shanghai is now the best city in the world for air connectivity, overtaking London this year. The change comes as the pandemic continues to impact international air travel, with larger domestic airports taking the lead. Shanghai took the top spot this year, while London slips down to number eight in terms of global connectivity.
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Avinor now operating remote towers at Hasvik and Berlevåg airports
Avinor has announced that the airport towers at Hasvik Airport (HAA) and Berlevåg Airport (BVG) in Norway are now being operated from the Avinor Remote Towers Centre in Bodø, Norway – north of the Arctic Circle.
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Five PANYNJ airports receive ACI World’s Airport Health Accreditation
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has announced that John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) and Teterboro Airport (TEB) have received the Airport Health Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI) World.
LinkMilitary
The Crazy World Of Presidential Jets And Royal Transport
When it comes to traveling in style, no-one does it better than global leaders. With the need to travel comfortably, productively, and safely – and budgets to make this happen – many leaders have some amazing aircraft. This article takes a look at some of the best currently in the air, along with a few others that deserve a mention.
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Aviation Quote
A top World War II ace once said that fighter pilots fall into two broad categories: those who go out to kill and those who, secretly, desperately, know they are going to get killed—the hunters and the hunted.
- General Nathan F. Twinning, USAF
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1. ATSANRP
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