Month: April 2021

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Discussion of restriction-free air travel is cause for optimism

It made sense for Willie Walsh to use his first briefing as IATA director general to insist that Covid-related health measures – such as pre-flight testing and vaccination certificates – should only be in place for as long as is...

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Beijing air power turns up the heat on Taiwan

Regular Chinese intrusions into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) likely reflect frustration by communist leaders, and aim to establish a new air power paradigm. Regular Chinese intrusions into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) likely reflect frustration by communist...

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A320 tipped up and struck tail at Milan after passenger load mismatch

Italian investigators have determined that an improper distribution of passengers on board an Alitalia Airbus A320 resulted in the aircraft’s suffering a tail-strike during an aborted take-off at Milan Malpensa. The twinjet (EI-DTB), bound for Rome Fiumicino on 17 August...

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SIA Group’s passenger numbers fall 91% in March

Singapore Airlines Group carried 100,100 passengers in March, down nearly 91% year on year amid coronavirus-related travel restrictions. Singapore Airlines Group carried 100,100 passengers in March, down nearly 91% year on year amid coronavirus-related travel restrictions. The group’s passenger capacity,...

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Tightened crew quarantine measures punish Cathay’s March traffic

Cathay Pacific reported a third consecutive month of traffic declines as it began to feel the impact of tightened crew quarantine measures imposed by the Hong Kong government. Cathay Pacific reported a third consecutive month of traffic declines as it...

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China’s ‘Big Three’ March domestic traffic leaps past 2019 levels

After a tepid start to the year, China’s three largest carriers made significant gains in domestic traffic, surpassing even pre-pandemic levels in some instances. After a tepid start to the year, China’s three largest carriers made significant gains in domestic...

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Shin-Nihon Helicopters receives Japan’s first Bell 407GXis

Japan’s Shin-Nihon Helicopters has taken delivery of two Bell 407GXi helicopters, making it the country’s first operator of the type. Japan’s Shin-Nihon Helicopters has taken delivery of two Bell 407GXi helicopters, making it the country’s first operator of the type....

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Paris orders eight H225Ms, one additional VSR700

Paris has ordered eight additional Airbus Helicopters H225M rotorcraft as well as an additional prototype of the VSR700 unmanned helicopter. Paris has ordered eight additional Airbus Helicopters H225M rotorcraft as well as an additional prototype of the VSR700 unmanned helicopter....

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Vietnam Airlines outlines measures to bolster financial position

Vietnam Airlines has outlined various support measures to improve its financial position following its losses in 2020. Vietnam Airlines has outlined various support measures to improve its financial position following its losses in 2020. In a filing to the Ho...

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Xwing conducts first fully autonomous gate-to-gate cargo flight

Autonomous aircraft company Xwing says its Cessna Grand Caravan 208B has completed its first “fully autonomous gate-to-gate demonstration of a commercial cargo aircraft”. Autonomous aircraft company Xwing says its Cessna Grand Caravan 208B has completed its first ”fully autonomous gate-to-gate...

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