Monthly Archives: September 2020

American Airlines builds pre-fight Covid-19 testing regime

American Airlines is collaborating with several foreign governments to begin offering pre-fight Covid-19 testing for customers, starting with Jamaica and the Bahamas. The carrier plans to expand the program to additional markets in the weeks and months ahead. “The pandemic has changed our business in ways we never could have expected, but all the while, […]

IATA – Traffic Forecast Downgrade After Dismal Summer

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) downgraded its traffic forecast for 2020 to reflect a weaker-than-expected recovery, as evidenced by a dismal end to the summer travel season in the Northern Hemisphere. IATA now expects full-year 2020 traffic to be down 66% compared to 2019. The previous estimate was for a 63% decline. August passenger […]

United Airlines to offer Covid-19 testing option on Hawaii flights

United Airlines has become the first United States-based airline to launch a Covid-19 pilot testing program for travellers. It is hoped the move could make it easier for passengers to manage quarantine requirements and entry conditions of popular destinations around the world. Starting on October 15th, customers traveling on United from San Francisco International Airport […]

Avianca secures US$2bn in funding as bankruptcy battle continues

Colombian flag-carrier Avianca has lined up a $2 billion bankruptcy-loan package to finance its stay in chapter 11. The cash has been sourced from a group of investors and lenders including United Airlines and chairman Roberto Kriete personally. One of the largest airlines in South America, Avianca sought bankruptcy protection in May and has since […]

Aegean losses reveal impact of Covid-19 on aviation sector

Aegean has seen revenue slump 88 per cent in the second quarter, highlighting the stark impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the aviation sector. Consolidated revenue for the second quarter stood at just €40 million, down €307 million from the same period last year. Pre-tax losses (excluding extraordinary losses) stood at €59 million, against a […]

Qatar Airways receives US$2bn bailout following Covid-19 losses

Qatar Airways has received around US$2 billion in state aid as the flag-carrier battles the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. Branding 2019/20 one of its “most difficult years,” the Middle Eastern airline noted it had also been hit by the ongoing blockade of Qatari airspace and the collapse of Air Italy in recent months. Changes […]

KLM prepares for winter schedule

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, KLM’s winter schedule will be a lot more restricted than it was in the same period last year. The timetable for the European network in November is currently around 55% of capacity in 2019. KLM was gradually and responsibly expanding its European and intercontinental network, after the corona crisis had […]

Emirates to resume flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Harare and Mauritius, boosting global network to 92 destinations

Emirates has announced it will resume flights to Johannesburg (1 October), Cape Town (1 October), Durban (4 October) in South Africa; Harare in Zimbabwe (1 October); and Mauritius (3 October). The addition of the five points will expand the Emirates’ global network to 92 destinations, as the airline gradually resumes its operations while prioritising the […]

easyJet holidays launches Protection Promise

More than 33 million Brits have had their holiday plans disrupted this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, new research reveals which is why a recent survey reveals that  more than half (52%) of Brits are only willing to book a holiday abroad if they feel confident their money is protected, showing consumers are looking for […]

British Airways 747 Retirements

In July British Airways announced that all 31 of its remaining 747s had sadly flown their last commercial services as a result of the devastating impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the airline and the aviation sector. Full details of each retired aircraft are below. This log will be updated as each retirement date […]