Category: Top Stories

Lufthansa closes down SunExpress Germany

SunExpress Germany ©AirTeamImages

SunExpress Deutschland GmbH (Sun Express Germany), the joint venture carrier involving Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, is to close with the loss of approximately 1,200 jobs. Sun Express Germany is a separate company to Turkish Sun Express, the latter concentrating predominantly on flights between Germany and Turkey, while the former serves a number of leisure destinations in the Mediterranean region, while also flying on behalf of Eurowings, the low-cost carrier. Sun Express Germany operated a fleet of over a dozen Boeing 787-300s, and also a number of Airbus A330-200s which it wet leased to Lufthansa’s Eurowings. It is anticipated that Eurowings Read more

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Textron ceases flight simulator production in Canada – up to 2,000 jobs to go

Textron Inc (Textron) has announced that its plant in Montreal, Canada, which manufactures flight simulators is to suspend production until further notice, endangering approaching 2,000 jobs across a number of business units. The suspension of operations is as a result of the effect the coronavirus pandemic has had on the travel industry. Textron also anticipates fewer sales for its Cessna business jets and ground support equipment for the foreseeable future.  “There has been a substantial decline in demand and order cancellations for flight simulators in light of the expected long-term impact of the pandemic on the commercial air transportation business,” Read more

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U.K. and Spanish employee furloughs extended by Airbus as COVID-19 lingers

©Airbus

Airbus has announced that it will be extending staff furloughs in various company sectors in both the U.K. and Spain. In the UK, some 2,200 Airbus workers will have their period of furlough extended up until August 9, while in Spain, most of the Company’s SL employees will be furloughed until September 30, which extends to approximately 3,100 people. “Airbus Helicopters and Airbus DS employees in Spain are not impacted”, a spokesman said. In France, 29,500 of Airbus employees are working at an approximately 30% reduced capacity and the company anticipates that once the furlough period is over, there will Read more

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Qatar Airways CEO puts halt on aircraft deliveries until 2022, cancels order for 30 737 Max jets

©Qatar Airways

Akbar al-Baker has confirmed that Qatar Airways will be suspending delivery of all aircraft on order from Boeing until 2022 and that deliveries beyond that will be based on the knock-on effect of these delays owing to the effects on air travel resulting from the global coronavirus pandemic. The Gulf carrier has billions of dollars’ worth of jets on order from the world’s top-ten planemakers, Airbus and Boeing, but instead of growing its fleet, it now intends to reduce it to approximately 200 aircraft. “Quite a lot of (deliveries) will be deferred. We have already notified both Boeing and Airbus Read more

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IATA recommends governments continue to shore up airlines over the winter

©AirTeamImages

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents approximately 290 airlines across the globe, has colled on governments to support airlines during what is anticipated to be a very harsh winter from an economic standpoint as a result of ongoing COVID-19 concerns. It has been estimated that, globally, airlines will post a combined loss approaching US$84.3 billion in 2020. It is a recognized fact that for northern-hemisphere airlines, the bulk of operating profits are generated over Q2 and Q3. As an example, the 2019 net profit margin for European airlines followed the normal seasonal pattern and was 9% and 17% Read more

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Honeywell announces formation of UAS- and UAM-dedicated business unit

©Honeywell forms new business unit dedicated to Unmanned Aerial Systems and Urban Air Mobility

Utilizing the company’s existing technology, software, services and certification Expertise, Honeywell has decided to form a new business unit which will be dedicated to both the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) industries. “Urban Air Mobility and Unmanned Aerial Systems will play an increasing role in the future of aerospace, with potential applications in all-electric urban air taxi vehicles, hybrid-electric unmanned cargo drones, optionally piloted airplanes, delivery drones and everything in between,” said Mike Madsen, President and CEO, Honeywell Aerospace. “Honeywell has already contributed many technological advancements to these markets and is well positioned to continue growing Read more

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SAS to be supported from governments of Sweden and Denmark for recapitalization

SAS ©AirTeamImages

The Swedish Government has put forward a proposal to the Swedish Parliament to support SAS AB with up to SEK 5 billion as part of the company’s necessary recapitalization plan due to the negative effects of COVID-19. In addition, the Danish government has communicated political unity for a recapitalization of SAS. The company estimates that the recapitalization will encompass new funding need of some SEK 12.5 billion and additional measures. The aim of the recapitalization plan is to ensure that SAS is fully funded and that shareholders equity will be at levels experienced before COVID-19 pandemic when business volumes return Read more

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Despite financial bailout, Lufthansa warns 22,000 jobs could still go

©Lufthansa

Despite agreeing a US$10 billion bailout plan which would give a German government stabilization fund a 20% stake in the beleaguered carrier, Lufthansa has confirmed that continued pandemic-related reductions in worldwide travel demand may lead to the shedding of up to 22,000 of its 135,9000 full-time staff. The flag-carrying airline, which also includes Swiss, Australian Airlines and Brussels Airlines also confirmed that post the pandemic, it will likely be operating 100 less aircraft which, combined with projected job losses, saw its share price fall 8% on Thursday, June 11. In a statement UFO, a union representing cabin crew, made it Read more

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Airflow launches electric short-take-off and landing aircraft

©Airflow Hero

Airflow, an aerial logistics company building next-generation aircraft and services, is developing the first electric Short-Take-Off and Landing (eSTOL) aircraft designed for middle-mile logistics. Airflow’s aerial logistics network can move short-haul cargo quickly and cost-effectively over road traffic by utilizing the unused airspace around cities. Five former Airbus Vahana team members, who have over 60 years of combined aerospace experience, started Airflow when they determined eSTOL aircraft could address the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market for one-third the operating cost of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. UAM is a transportation system using next-generation aircraft to move cargo and Read more

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France unveils full extent of €15 billion aerospace rescue package

The French government has announced that a total rescue package of €15 billion is in place to protect the country’s aerospace industry. €7.0 billion of this has already been earmarked to support Air France during a time when demand for air travel has fallen by up to 95%, along with an acceleration of orders for Airbus tankers and other military equipment. In total, over 100,000 jobs are at stake as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of the rescue package will include a €500 million investment fund, with a target of raising one billion, to help Read more

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