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British Airways Awaits Government Response to Airlines
Following last week’s memo to employees entitled “The Survival of British Airways”, the U.K. carrier continues to implement strategies to deal with the continuously changing environment. BA has announced capacity cuts of 75% for their April and May schedules which will have a significant impact on the resources needed to operate the network. All staff […]
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Airlines Slash Capacity, Ground Aircraft As Crisis Continues
The continued uncertainty and unprecedented disruption to the aviation industry due to the novel coronavirus pandemic will result in significant losses for airlines. Schedules are being constantly amended as governments seek to contain the spread of the virus by limiting passenger movement. In addition to the U.S. travel ban for residents of European countries in […]
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Qatar Airways Increases Stake in IAG to Over 25 Percent
Qatar Airways has increased its stake in International Airlines Group (IAG) from 21.4 percent to 25.1 percent with a $600m buy-up. The move comes a little over a week after Air Italy which Qatar Airways had a 49 percent stake in ceased operations. In announcing the increased shareholding Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al […]
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Qantas Puts Pressure on Pilots To Close ‘Project Sunrise’ Deal
Qantas has reportedly advised its pilots that it will create a “new employment entity” to crew its planned ultra-long-haul flights from the east coast of Australia to London if it fails to reach an agreement with the pilots union in the next few weeks. The airline and the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) are […]
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Delta, Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic Launch New Partnership
What is being billed as the ‘World’s Leading Partnership’ was launched this week by Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic, KLM and Air France. The joint venture (JV) by the four airlines expands on existing JVs between the U.S. carrier and the U.K. and European carriers. Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated: “Our expanded partnership is a […]
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Airbus to Add A321 Production Capacity in Toulouse
In a move that will be welcomed by a number of its airline partners, Airbus announced this week that the company will increase the production capacity of its popular A321 at its Toulouse facility. Airbus Chief Operating Officer Michael Schoellhorn said: “We are enjoying an unprecedented high demand for our winning A320neo Family and especially […]
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Flybe Deal with U.K. Government Criticized by Competitors
The U.K. government’s decision this week to defer a reported £100m ($130m) in Air Passenger Duty (APD) payments from Europe’s largest regional carrier Flybe has been met with celebration and criticism. The deal has given the airline, which is owned by a consortium including Virgin Atlantic’s parent company, the opportunity to continue trading and thrown […]
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IAG Chief Executive Willie Walsh to Retire in June
International Airlines Group (IAG) announced Thursday that chief executive officer Willie Walsh will step down from his current role and the board of IAG on March 26 and will formally retire on June 30. The chairman of IAG Antonio Vázquez praised Walsh’s achievements at the multi-national airline holding company which is the parent company of […]
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Airbus Exceeds Aircraft Delivery Forecast in 2019
Reuters has reported that 863 Airbus aircraft were delivered to customers in 2019 exceeding the manufacturer’s forecast target for aircraft deliveries. The news agency is citing ‘airport and tracking sources’ for the unaudited figure which the European manufacturer refused to comment on pending official confirmation later this month. If the number of deliveries is verified […]
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Opinion: Icelandair Showcases the Best of Iceland
Commercial aviation is shaped by nationhood and foundations agreed by countries at the Chicago Convention of 1944. This event also saw the beginnings of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The initial freedoms of the air which emerged from the convention have been added to since 1944 and still form the basis of the air […]