airline | Common News Update

Feb112021 by adminNo Comments

US airline set to buy flying electric taxis for airport runs

Technology

Getty ImagesUnited Airlines plans to buy 200 flying electric taxis that it hopes will fly passengers to the airport within the next five years. The US airline is one of the first major carriers to commit to the purchase of flying taxis.United Airlines will also invest in flying taxi firm Archer as part of a $ 1.1bn (£800m) deal to develop the aircraft.The aircraft need regulatory approval before the purchase can go ahead. The race to build a flying electric taxiIs the airborne commute a flight of fancy? The flying car is here – and it could change the world - BBC FutureUnited Airlines will team up with US regional carrier Mesa Airlines to buy Archer's electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as part of a $ 1bn order.The deal is seen as a stamp of approval for start-up Archer...

Jan262021 by adminNo Comments

Airline bosses urge PM not to impose blanket hotel quarantine policy

Business

UK airline bosses have written to Boris Johnson insisting there is not enough evidence that imposing hotel quarantines on all travellers arriving into the country is necessary.The chief executives of British Airways, easyJet and Virgin Atlantic were among those who signed the letter to the prime minister which also called for support to help the industry survive. It came after vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News the government would soon make an announcement on the policy - and that people should hold off on booking a summer holiday. Image: Travel industry insiders expect a decision on the policy imminently The letter to Mr Johnson from airline chief executives said: "We have seen no compelling scientific evidence that intro...

Nov82020 by adminNo Comments

Canada says airline aid contingent on refunding customers

World

Canada's transport minister says the government will soon announce aid for the country’s airline industry but the help will be contingent on carriers providing refunds to passengers whose flights were cancelledByThe Associated PressNovember 8, 2020, 9:30 PM• 1 min readShare to FacebookShare to TwitterEmail this articleOTTAWA, Ontario -- Canada's government will soon announce aid for the country’s airline industry but the help will be contingent on carriers providing refunds to passengers whose flights were cancelled, Transport Minister Marc Garneau said Sunday.Canada’s commercial airlines have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with passenger levels down as much as 90%.Airlines have cancelled numerous pre-booked trips, offering passengers credits or vouchers instead of refunds.“Bef...

Sep292020 by adminNo Comments

Coronavirus: Hundreds of thousands of airline jobs at risk, warns industry body

Business

Hundreds of thousands of aviation jobs are at risk without more state aid, a global industry body has warned. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) downgraded its 2020 traffic forecasts, after "a dismal end to the summer travel season".The association, which represents 290 airlines, says it expects traffic to be 66% below the level it was in 2019.The IATA estimates that it will be at least 2024 before air traffic reaches pre-pandemic levels.A second surge in Covid-19 cases and more government restrictions meant the sector has not seen a strong rebound.The travel industry saw a precipitous drop in business after the coronavirus developed into a pandemic.Through the year major airlines, airports and tour firms have col...

Jun42020 by adminNo Comments

BA owner burns ‘£178m of cash a week’ as airline ramps up war of words with unions

Business

British Airways (BA) has told staff its parent firm is burning through £178m of cash a week and the airline does not have "an absolute right to exist" as a row with unions intensifies.In a letter to staff seen by Sky News, BA chief executive Alex Cruz rounds on the GMB and Unite unions, calling a campaign to take Heathrow landing slots away from BA "bizarre" and a threat to jobs. He criticises the government for damaging the industry though the introduction of a 14-day quarantine period from Tuesday as the coronavirus pandemic eases. Image: BA boss Alex Cruz: 'The BA of tomorrow will be a smaller company' The letter to staff, sent after the Home Secretary unveiled the plans yesterday afternoon, says "the government has dealt another b...