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SAO PAULO: Brazil's Gol became the world's first airline on Wednesday to fly the Boeing 737 MAX commercially since the planes were grounded 20 months ago following two deadly crashes that killed hundreds of people. Wednesday's first flight was between the Brazilian cities of Sao Paulo and Porto Alegre, according to data from FlightRadar24, a website that tracks plane routes. The Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes plane was due to return to Sao Paulo later in the day. Brazil's civil aviation regulator ANAC lifted its no-fly order on the MAX in late November, following a similar decision by the US Federal Aviation Administration. The flights are a key milestone for Boeing, which had been trying to get the plane back in service much earlier, blowing through its initial target of late 2019. American Airlines is expected to be the next operator to restart flights with the MAX, on Dec. 29. Gol, which has ordered more than 100 MAX planes from Boeing, had no immediate comment. … [Read more...] about Brazil’s Gol is first airline to restart flights of Boeing 737 MAX

SINGAPORE: The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) is seeking public feedback on a proposed cooperation agreement between Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Vistara. A joint venture between Tata Sons and SIA, Vistara began operating direct flights between Singapore and Delhi, as well as between Singapore and Mumbai in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. READ: Singapore Airlines to prioritise cargo capacity for transportation of COVID-19 vaccines The competition watchdog on Tuesday (Dec 8) said it received a joint application from the airlines on Nov 30 and is now assessing whether the proposed cooperation would infringe section 34 of the Competition Act. It prohibits agreements or concerted practices by undertakings which prevent, restrict or distort competition within any market in Singapore. 'UNLIKELY TO RESULT IN ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS ON COMPETITION' The proposed cooperation comprises a commercial cooperation framework agreement that the airlines … [Read more...] about Competition watchdog seeks public feedback on proposed Singapore Airlines, Vistara cooperation

SINGAPORE: Among the casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic are millions of individuals who stand at risk of losing their livelihoods and industries on the precipice of the biggest disruption ever. The airline industry is among the most severely affected and is close to being snuffed out after travel bans and restrictions imposed by several governments around the world. In a book I co-authored more than a decade ago on Singapore Airlines, I and my co-authors argued that “managing the uncontrollables” was a key challenge for airlines. In other words, airlines have to deal with circumstances such wars or epidemics like SARS and COVID-19, and hence must have large slack resources such as cash to protect themselves from adverse events. Even then, none of us surely could have imagined the scenario facing modern aviation. AN EXEMPLARY PERFORMER During its first 40 years, SIA was an exemplary performer. From 1972 to 2011, it had one loss-making year, whereas the average airline … [Read more...] about Commentary: Bitter truths for Singapore Airlines about this aviation industry crash

TULSA, Oklahoma: American Airlines' maintenance team is scrambling to complete safety changes to its fleet of Boeing 737 MAX jets ahead of a phased return to service, while deliveries of new jets are set to begin as early as this week. American's maintenance base, the largest in the world, has housed its 24 MAX planes during a 20-month safety ban that followed the second of two fatal crashes for the aircraft in March 2019, forcing some 400 MAX jets in service to be grounded. It has handled some unexpected tasks while caring for the idled jets, including evicting wildlife and custom-making tarps. "Birds like to nest in things. Combating that has been rather interesting," said Erik Olund, managing director of base maintenance in Tulsa, Oklahoma, under the wing of a 737 MAX. Following a Nov. 18 order from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) detailing necessary changes for the jet to fly again, 260 American Airlines' specialists divided into three shifts are working … [Read more...] about American Airlines goes full throttle to restore Boeing MAX fleet

SAN FRANCISCO: American Airlines Group and United Airlines said on Tuesday (Dec 1) they halted non-stop flights to Shanghai from the United States and included Seoul on the route. "We started operating passenger service from DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth) to PVG (Shanghai Pudong) on Nov 11 through Seoul (ICN) due to testing requirements for crews," American Airlines said, adding that its cargo flights are also continuing to operate through Seoul for the same reason. "We adjusted service between San Francisco and Shanghai to now include a stop in Seoul, South Korea for a crew change as we did earlier this year," United Airlines spokesman Jonathan Guerin said. The plan to pause operations comes following reports of lengthy waits facing airline crew members upon arrival, limited local accommodations and restrictions on their movement in China, the CNBC reported earlier in the day. … [Read more...] about United Airlines, American halt non-stop flights to Shanghai

WASHINGTON/CHICAGO: U.S. airlines would receive US$17 billion for four months of payroll support under a new US$908 billion bipartisan Senate COVID-19 relief proposal, a spokeswoman for Senator Mark Warner said Tuesday. Warner's office said the plan includes US$15 billion for transit systems, US$4 billion for airports, US$8 billion for private buses and US$1 billion for passenger railroad Amtrak. The US$45 billion in transportation assistance is designed to provide assistance for four months. Congress and President-elect Joe Biden next year can decide if more funds should be approved beyond March, Senator Joe Manchin said. The proposal does not yet have the support of the White House or Congressional leaders. American Airlines and United Airlines in October furloughed more than 32,000 workers after a prior US$25 billion payroll assistance program expired. Airlines for months had sought another US$25 billion bailout to keep workers on the payroll for another six months. … [Read more...] about Airlines would receive US$17 billion in new COVID-19 relief proposal: senator