Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Daily review:

Boeing is seeking a new US$4 billion revolving credit facility from a group of banks, with an option to increase the size of the two-year facility to as much as $6 billion

Flybair of Switzerland to remain grounded for the entire 2021 year, after losing US$828,000 in 2020 due to the pandemic. Operations to resume in 2022.

Lufthansa may permanently ground more jets to emerge leaner from the pandemic, with plans to cut its fleet to 650 planes in 2023 and phase out B747-400s and A340-600s. The carrier is examining whether all aircraft older than 25 years will remain on the ground permanently, The eight remaining A380s will also be retired.

Mongolia plans to reopen its air border from 01 May 2021 to resume international passenger flights.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Daily review:

American Airlines has extended the suspension and cancellation of several of its international routes, including Montevideo, Uruguay and Santiago, Chile.

Condor is in “exploratory talks” with the German government and private investors for fresh money after successfully completing protective shield proceedings. The aim is to find new shareholders in the medium term.

Conviasa of Venezuela says that its operations jumped 85% in 2020, and posted positive results for the year, despite the pandemic.

EuroAtlantic Airways admitted the possibility of not renewing the term contracts of 20 to 30 of its 200 workers, after having dismissed 150 in 2020.

Canada’s airline industry is in talks to receive at least US$7 billion in loans from the federal government once carriers are able to refund passengers whose flights were postponed or cancelled due to the pandemic.

South Korea plans to invest US$102 million in 2021 to study deeper into state-of-the-art aviation technologies to help local companies overcome the pandemic.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Daily review:

US lessor Aero Capital Solutions (ACS) concluded deals for 36 aircraft in sale/leaseback transactions in 2020 with US and European operators. ACS purchased 60 aircraft for its portfolio and sold 14 aircraft during 2020. In addition to the aircraft transactions, 27 engine lease agreements were signed in 2020. ACS further purchased eight engines and sold 15 engines from its inventory during the pandemic.

Air Austral (based in French island Reunion) seeks an additional €60 million in aid from shareholders, as more losses are expected and debts need a repayment. The carrier secured €120 million in state aid in 2020. International regional flights are expected to resume in July 2021.

BRA flights will remain at Bromma Airport, thus the airport can avoid closure, despite the desire of state-owned Swedavia to close the airport amid the pandemic.

Canaryfly will reactivate its passenger flights on 22 March 2021 after almost two months without inter-island operations due to the low demand as a result of travel restrictions.

Jetstar of Australia is flying 90% of its pre-pandemic domestic schedule in March 2021 amid a rebound in demand as state borders have reopened in Australia.

Nok Air of Thailand discusses shareholders for emergency loans to support its operations during the reorganization period, ensuring uninterrupted cash flow. Talks are progressing with creditors, and the carrier hopes to submit plans as scheduled on 15 March 2021.

Plus Ultra will be rescued with an injection of €53 million in two loans from the Spanish state’s SEPI fund.

Tin Nghia Aviation of Vietnam was dissolved after only one year since its establishment after the impact of the pandemic made it unfavourable to begin operations.

US Senate passes a US$1.9 trillion plan, which includes US$15 billion for airlines, $8 billion for airports, and $3 billion for aerospace manufacturing.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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AirAsia Thailand is set to resume operations on all 40 domestic routes in the country from April, signifying a solid return to pre-COVID-19 performance levels for the airline. These include 14 regional routes from its hubs across the nation.

American Airlines has cancelled its next round of furloughs following the passage of the US$1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act.

Cabo Verde Airlines to resume operations very soon, says the government, following a one-year pause of flights. The government to also approve a loan amounting to US$4.7 million and recover an executive seat on the board of directors.

People’s plans to resume flight operations on the Altenrhein-Vienna route from 12 April 2021.

Australia announced a US$1.2 billion support package which includes hundreds of thousands of half-price airline tickets, cheap loans for businesses, direct support to keep planes in the air and airline workers in their jobs.

Australia’s government to subsidize 800,000 cut-price fares to domestic destinations, as part of the new Tourism Aviation ­Network Support scheme from 01 April to 31 July 2021.

Japan’s government has asked airlines to limit passengers to 3,400 per week from overseas during the typically busy fiscal year-end travel period, amid health concerns. Foreign airlines are restricted to 100 passengers per flight.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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ANA All Nippon Airways will reduce domestic flights in April 2021 by 38% compared to its original plan due to the pandemic.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Daily review:

Air Arabia Maroc informs passengers about the extension of the interruption of international flights until 10 April 2021,

Berlin Brandenburg Airport is seeking €2 billion from the state due to the pandemic. The company does not expect a profit until 2026.

British Airways fleet of 12 A380s to remain grounded until around 2023-2024.

China Eastern has ungrounded its entire fleet in Shanghai, as recovery continues to move forward. The carrier’s average daily passenger flight volume has recovered to about 2,400.

Easyfly of Colombia obtains approval to restructure its debts to continue with its operation in a sustainable manner.

EU nations that count tourism as a significant industry is pushing for a relaxation of rules on travelling to the bloc from the rest of the world.

Israel intends to maintain its quota of allowing only 3,000 Israeli citizens into the country each day, but that it will reopen the skies to flights from all locations.

Singapore and Australia are discussing an air travel bubble that would allow travel between the two countries without the need for quarantine.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Daily review:

United Airlines expects to halt its cash burn in March 2021 and going forward, if the current trajectory of bookings improvement is sustained.

Vueling is putting together a multi-level transformation plan to regain capacity, which fell by 66% in 2020.

Russia has extended the suspension of air service with the UK until 16 April 2021 inclusively in view of the epidemiological situation in the country.

UK drops Portugal from the temporary list of banned countries for direct travel, and adds Ethiopia, Oman, Somalia, and Qatar, effective 19 March 2021.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Aegean Airlines is about to determine the terms of its share capital increase, by at least €60 million. The process will be necessary for the payment of the state subsidy of €120 million to the airline.

Air Transat, which plans to resume flights in mid-June 2021 with a fleet of 26, will not include its sole B737-800 as it will be returned to the lessor. The carrier is also eying more A321LRs, including the A321XLR, should the demand recover. The airline has 10 LRs on order delivering from 2023.

Virgin Australia plans to lease eight or nine more B737s to expand its domestic capacity, as the carrier expects increased demand.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Air Europa has communicated to the unions the need to apply a tough adjustment plan to face the current crisis. A savings plan that will last until 2023.

IATA says large-scale government intervention in airlines triggered by the coronavirus crisis will hold back sector consolidation for up to five years. The organization expects borders not to fully open until October 2021.

TAAG of Angola cancelled flights between Luanda and Sao Paulo, due to health concerns. Angola had recently announced last week the lifting of the suspension of direct flights to Portugal, Brazil and South Africa.

https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/taag ... th-africa/

Israel’s government announced a long-awaited bailout of its airlines to help them weather the coronavirus crisis and maintain operations. The government will buy US$210 million-worth of flight tickets in advance from El Al Israel Airlines and subsidiary Sun d’Or.

US has warned it may restrict flights from local carriers such as Cathay Pacific over objections to Hong Kong’s quarantine rules, which it says are denying “fair and equal opportunity” to US airlines.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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KBRA (a US consultant) believes that the global regional market is poised to be a leader in the overall aviation market recovery as international travel remains restricted and passengers may be more comfortable with shorter-duration regional flights.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Daily review:

Austrian Airlines is flying normally again from Vienna to London and Tel Aviv, following the expiration of government landing bans.

Delta Air Lines expects to be allotted roughly US$2.5 billion in pandemic aid from the $1.9 trillion federal stimulus bill signed into law this week.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Daily review (for today and yesterday):

Aerolineas Argentinas to receive state support of US$620 million in fiscal year 2021, as the pandemic forced the state to allocate funds from the National Treasury.

British Airways has again extended the suspension of flights between South Africa and the UK, stretching the ban on direct flights to almost half a year.

Conviasa announced an increase of more than 85% in its air operations inside and outside Venezuela despite the current health situation.

Eurowings intends to operate 80 aircraft again by summer 2021, and to exceed the fleet size of 100 again in 2022. In addition, the carrier will receive ten A320neos in 2022.

Kenya Airways is looking for about US$91 million on top of what the government has allocated the carrier to survive 2021, with passenger volumes not seen recovering to pre-pandemic levels until about 2024.

Lufthansa is gradually reactivating a total of eight A320s for the summer 2021 flight schedule – in addition to the 28 A320neos currently in operation.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Daily review:

Air Canada to restore some service along routes to Jamaica, Mexico and Barbados beginning in early May 2021.

AirBaltic still plans to move forward with an IPO, and believes its strategy as an all-A220 operator will help it to emerge from the current industry crisis.

Austrian Airlines is implementing further measures now in order to sustainably safeguard the future. Two further Airbus aircraft will be relegated to long-term parking at least until 2024/25. The airline will also cut another 650 additional jobs by the year 2023.

https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/luft ... -650-jobs/
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Daily review:

AAPA (Asia) reports international passenger demand worsened in February 2021, as the region’s airlines carried only 1.2 million international passengers. ASKs were 14.9% of levels registered in 2021, whilst the average international PLF was 24.8%.

Air Algerie is preparing for a possible resumption of international flights, which were suspended at the end of February 2021 for the entire month of March.

Air France is close to being recapitalised, as the government is finalising the deal after addressing some antitrust concerns raised by the European Commission.

Air Senegal received approximately US$80 million from the state, which is supporting the travel industry during the pandemic.

Airlines for Europe says European governments can still salvage the summer tourist season despite COVID-19 vaccine setbacks and resurgent infections if they take joint action on digital health passes and travel rules.

American Airlines plans for almost its entire fleet to be flying by May 2021, as domestic LF is nearly 80% while booking numbers continue to rise.

Etihad will temporarily convert a fifth B777-300ER to cargo duty, responding to a rise in demand for dedicated air freight.

Hawaiian Airlines is now seeing consistent load factors in the mid-60-to-70% range and is calling some furloughed employees back to work.

Kenya Airways announced the suspension of domestic services from 29 March 2021 until further notice, in line with government health directives. Kenya Airways says it will need at least US$500 million in bailouts to stay afloat in the next nine months as it navigates the turbulent aviation sector.

Lufthansa has violated state aid requirements, says the European Commission, which may force Germany to withdraw the aid.

SWISS has already cut 500 of the announced 1,000 jobs, but further cuts may be necessary as demand remains depressed.

Thai Airways International expects to become profitable again from 2023 and return to positive equity by 2030, while addressing a potential delisting from the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Daily review:

Air New Zealand says domestic business and corporate travel is returning to 90% of pre-COVID levels.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Air Koryo of North Korea imported nearly US$1 million worth of plane parts for its fleet of Tupolev jets, despite the fact that planes have mostly been grounded during the pandemic.

IATA called on governments in the Middle East to develop re-start plans to safely re-link their citizens, businesses and economies to global markets when the pandemic situation permits.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Daily review:

FAA will award more than US$627.7 million in infrastructure and safety projects through the fiscal 2021 Airport Improvement Program.

LATAM forced to cancel its international flights out of Chile as the country closed its borders again due to the pandemic.

Ukraine International Airlines continues to gradually restore its flight network, with the total number of passengers carried in 1Q 2021 down 33% to 322,732.

United Airlines will soon begin hiring hundreds of pilots, as travel demand rebounds.

WestJet has laid off another 415 pilots as the pandemic continues to impact the aviation industry.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Delta Air Lines cancelled about 100 flights on 04 April 2021 due to staffing shortages, and it opened up middle seats a month earlier than expected in order to carry more passengers.

Vietjet Air to resume international flights in April 2021, flying from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, Hanoi to Seoul. and Hanoi to Tokyo and Taipei.

Hong Kong has barred until mid-April 2021 incoming passenger flights from Singapore operated by Singapore Airlines, after an arriving passenger tested positive for COVID-19 infection.
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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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ET684: Addis Ababa-Shanghai
TK 72: Istanbul - Guangzhou
WB9500: Kigali - Guangzhou . Flight number has changed since flight to CAN is not longer operated via Mumbai. Before the Covid Crisis flight nummber to CAN was WB500


Flights to China of RwandAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines suspended over Covid-19 cases

China's civil aviation regulator has announced the suspension of a RwandAir flight, an Ethiopian Airlines flight and a Turkish Airlines flight after several passengers on the routes recently tested positive for Covid-19.

Five passengers tested positive on RwandAir flight WB9500 on March 21, and the flight will be suspended for two weeks starting April 5, said the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Ethiopian Airlines flight ET684 will be suspended for two weeks starting April 12 after five passengers tested positive on the March 23 flight.

A total of 14 passengers tested positive on Turkish Airlines flight TK72 on March 24, and the flight will be suspended for four weeks starting April 19.

On Dec. 16, 2020, the CAAC updated its reward and suspension mechanism introduced in June last year to further contain the spread of Covid-19. According to the latest CAAC policy, a flight suspension will be extended from one week to two weeks if the number of passengers testing positive reaches five. A suspension will last for four weeks if the number of passengers who test positive for Covid-19 reaches 10.

https://travelnews.africa/news-single.h ... um=twitter
Rwanda Aviation News (Drones, Air Force, Civil Aviation, Space, Air Balloon): https://www.facebook.com/RwandAn-Flyer-153177931456873

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Re: Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

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Daily review:

Air Algerie is said to be on the verge of bankruptcy, as its finances have been greatly impacted by the pandemic.

Air France-KLM announces the following measures in relation to Air France, which have been approved by the EU in its decision to authorize a €4 billion French State measures to recapitalise Air France and its Holding company. The Netherlands is still in talks regarding potential capital-strengthening measures for KLM. Additional measures to further strengthen the Group’s capital are currently under consideration. Additionally, the French state-backed loan of €4 billion has been extended with a final maturity date in 2023.

Air France-KLM expects the operating result for 1Q 2021 to be around negative €1.3 billion, and EBITDA to be around negative €750 million.

https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/air- ... aris-orly/

British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle said he is optimistic that international travel can resume from 17 May 2021 despite Britain warning on Monday that it was too soon to say whether holidays could restart.

Jetstar and Qantas will restart flying to all pre-COVID destinations in New Zealand when the two-way Trans-Tasman bubble opens 19 April 2021 (see hereunder),

Kenya Airways will suspend flights to the UK effective 09 April 2021, after Britain said it would add Kenya to its travel “red list”.

Onur Air sent all personnel on unpaid leave after the short-time work allowance ended. A new assessment of the situation will be made on 15 April 2021 and communicated with staff.

Virgin Australia says it won’t fly most of its New Zealand routes until 31 October 2021, despite the launch of a travel bubble (see hereunder).

Bangladesh CAA in a fresh instruction has barred entry of passengers from all European countries, except the UK, and a dozen of Latin American, African and Middle Eastern countries for two weeks with effect from 03 April 2021 due to the pandemic.

New Zealand and Australia will create a quarantine and COVID-testing free “travel bubble” from 19 April 2021.
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