Air

EU member states seek to relieve airlines of EU261 refund obligation

12 EU member states sign letter calling for temporary amendment to rules on air passenger rights, allowing airlines to be able to offer vouchers instead of cash refunds

Changing with the times: what will be the lasting impacts of Covid-19 on aviation?

What must agents be aware of when it comes to dealing with airlines in future? James Chapple reports on the World Aviation Festival’s latest Covid-19 webinar with SimpliFlying chief Shashank Nigam

Testing air passengers for coronavirus is 'unrealistic'

Logistics of testing all air passengers for virus are impossible, says airline lobby group

Raab: 1.3 million Britons repatriated on commercial flights

Number includes more than 200,000 from Spain, 50,000 from Australia and 11,000 from Pakistan

EasyJet aircraft row to play out at crunch board meeting

Company’s founder and largest shareholder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou wants to oust several key figures at easyJet over their commitment to a multi-billion pound aircraft order

State aid may not be enough to meet Norwegian's cash needs

Budget carrier says high degree of uncertainty around current market situation may require it to seek further cash on top of around £230 million in state support

British Airways plans up to 12,000 redundancies

BA parent IAG said the proposals, which remain subject to consultation, are ‘likely to affect most of British Airways’ employees’

BA CEO's letter to staff: 'There is no government bailout standing by'

Alex Cruz said substantial changes were required now to ensure the airline is in a "competitive and resilient position" not just amid the Covid-19 pandemic, but also to withstand any longer-term reductions in customer demand or economic shocks

'Give govt power to prop up UK aviation sector' says Unite union

Unite publishes ‘radical’ blueprint designed to meet the challenges facing aviation following the coronavirus crisis

Emirates warns agents refund backlog 'may take until August'

Carrier currently working through nearly half a million refund requests

Airlines urge government to extend furlough scheme

Airlines UK warns sector faces ‘renewed cash crisis’ if job retention schemes withdrawn

Ministers 'considering' 14-day quarantine for UK arrivals

Government could implement a similar policy to that being used in Singapore

Air France-KLM secures billions in state support

The group said the bailout deal was inked “following several weeks of discussions” with the French and Dutch governments

Jet2 staff to take 'up to 30%' pay cut

Dart Group also seeking to confirm its eligibility for state support via the government’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility

EasyJet Holidays 'still working on plans to cooperate with trade'

Newly-relaunched operator pays tribute to agents for ’continued support and interest’

British Airways to fly over 770 tonnes of PPE from China

The carrier will operate 21 flights from China to London every week in May

Charter flights to bring 900 Brits home from Nigeria

About 900 people who will board three chartered flights put on by the UK government – on 28 April, 1 May and 5 May – will bring the total number of travellers brought home from the country to about 2,000.

This follows flights last week from Lagos and Abuja to London.

"We appreciate this has been a difficult time and will continue to work closely with the Nigerian authorities to support those wishing to return to the UK," said James Duddridge, minister of state for Africa.

Delta 'not in a position to invest further in Virgin Atlantic'

Carrier’s chief executive rules out financial support for partner airline

O'Leary blasts 'idiotic' social distancing debate

Ryanair boss says budget carrier will not operate aircraft with middle seats blocked off once operations can resume following the coronavirus crisis

easyJet donates 35,000 snacks to Help NHS Heroes

Donated items include crisps, biscuits, orange juice, muffins and chocolate brownies

FCO charters flight for Brits stranded in Fiji

About 40 people will be taken from Nadi airport in Fiji to Melbourne in Australia

Etihad extends Abu Dhabi-London rescue flight programme

Additional seven passenger services to operate between 25 April and 13 May to bring home stranded Britons via the UAE

Emirates strengthens PPE requirements for staff

Any cabin crew, boarding agents or ground staff in direct contact with passengers to don protective gown, safety visor, mask and gloves

EasyJet puts Easter 2021 on sale early

The remainder of its summer 2021 flying will also be going on sale early