Signs of the global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus are clearly visible in satellite data that show a 30% drop in air pollution over the Northeast U.S. as residents bunker down to avoid contagion, NASA said.
Hanover, Germany-based TUI Group announced April 8 it has signed the contract with German state development bank KfW for a bridge loan of €1.8 billion ($1.96 billion) to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic until normal business operations can resume.
Hawaiian Airlines and Frontier Airlines became the latest U.S. carriers to seek relief from minimum service requirements included in the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, as smaller airlines and ULCCs struggle to continue flying to destinations where demand remains badly depressed by the COVID-19 crisis.
Brazil’s largest domestic airline GOL plans to operate its current, significantly smaller domestic network until early May as 120 of its aircraft are now idled by the COVID-19 crisis.
Air Greenland—which had canceled flights from March 20 through April 4—has extended the suspension until April 30 as the Greenland flag carrier continues to mitigate effects of the COVID-19 crisis.
Calgary-based WestJet will seek federal wage subsidies for 6,400 temporarily laid off workers, as the Canadian Parliament moves closer toward passing legislation to shore up businesses battered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aircraft with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in their cabin-air system are well-equipped to minimize spread of the coronavirus, but those without should consider minimizing cabin air recirculation, updated EASA guidance said.
Air France-KLM said it had entered “in-depth” discussions with the French and Netherlands governments over the financing the group will need to weather the COVID-19 crisis and is confident the two nations will support it.
ICAO is consulting with global public health authorities on a “prototype” process that would validate flight crews—and, potentially, passengers—have been screened for COVID-19 and are safe to travel—a needed step to help instill confidence as air transport demand resumes.
UK-based ULCC easyJet has deferred deliveries of 24 Airbus A320neo-series aircraft as it seeks to maximize its liquidity in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Southwest Airlines has said it will slash its June flight activity by around 50% year-over-year to contend with the demand drop associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dutch flag-carrier KLM is combining with the Netherlands government and health technology conglomerate Royal Philips in creating a “cargo air bridge” for essential medical supplies from China to Europe.
South Florida-based Spirit Airlines is seeking relief from minimum service requirements attached to the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, as the ULCC looks to suspend service to at least a third of its network amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
