Regional Airline Crisis Round-up
At least ten regional aircraft operators, as of 30 April, have gone into voluntary administration or some equivalent form of restructuring process as a result of the impact of the pandemic. The latest is Irish wet-lease airline CityJet, which operates…
Backlash Against Push to Scrap ATC at Regional Airports in NZ
Regional towns in New Zealand are lobbying against a push by Airways, New Zealand’s air navigation services provider, to withdraw air traffic control services (ATC) at five regional centers. Airways says it needs to conserve cash, despite receiving a NZ$70…
Analysis: Why The Aborted Deal With Boeing May Be Good For Embraer
The aborted tie-up between Boeing and Embraer commercial aircraft is being portrayed by some in the news media as a major set-back for Embraer. But actually, it may not be all that bad for Embraer. Boeing was going to acquire…
Boeing-Embraer Commercial Aircraft Deal Ends Bitterly
Boeing’s decision to withdraw from a deal to acquire Embraer commercial aircraft has left the Brazilian manufacturer bitter as the takeover price far outstrips Embraer’s current market capitalization, which slumped amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Embraer says Boeing wrongfully terminated the…
NZ’s Sounds Air Argues for Government Aid
New Zealand’s Sounds Air is asking for government aid on the basis that it is a vital transport link for local communities. Sounds Air managing director, Andrew Crawford, tells Smart Aviation APAC the airline needs “a small amount of financial…
De Havilland and Lessor NAC Take Brunt Of COVID-19 Crisis
There has been a sudden flurry of airlines, with regional aircraft in their fleets, going into voluntary administration and the data reveals that this first wave is impacting some aircraft-makers and lessors more than others. The collapse of UK carrier…
Airlines Supporting COVID-19 Relief Efforts in the Himalayas
Nepalese operators are using their short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft to support non-government organizations, embassies and government ministries in relief efforts, even as all domestic commercial travel has been banned. Managing director of Sita Air, Rajendra Singh, says, “We…
Mitsubishi Hopes To Ferry Flight its Latest M90 Aircraft Soon
Mitsubishi Aircraft is hoping it can do a ferry flight soon to the US for Flight Test Vehicle 10, of the SpaceJet M90, which is the first M90 aircraft produced in certifiable baseline configuration. The aircraft-maker’s spokeswoman, Hitomi Sato, says…
Longer-term Impact of COVID-19 Crisis On Regional Aviation
The coronavirus pandemic will leave its mark on the aviation industry forever. The crisis’ impact on the aviation industry is unprecedented and it has happened very suddenly. Airlines have had to very quickly ground most of their fleet and, in…
Australian Government Underwriting Regional Air Services
Australia’s Federal Government has released two more aid packages for Australia’s regional airlines in addition to the A$715 million (US$438 million) package announced earlier. A statement from the ministry of transport says the Federal Government will be providing an A$198 million…
Australian Regional Operators Call For Funding Aid
Australian regional airlines argue the government’s A$715 million (US$438 million) aviation industry support package is misdirected and will fail to prevent the collapse of several regional airlines. FlyPelican CEO Marty Hawley says – in an open letter to Australia’s deputy…
Regional Operators Race to Preserve Businesses Amidst Pandemic
Regional operators are struggling to survive financially, as cash dries up amidst the coronavirus crisis. These airlines are finding it particularly difficult to survive the financial fall-out from the coronavirus pandemic as they tend to have smaller balance sheets and…
