Airline News
Qantas cuts 2,000 staff as ground handling is outsourced
Qantas has notified around 2,000 employees that it will move to outsource ground handling operations at ten airports across Australia as it battles back from the Covid-19 shutdown.
Vistara to launch Mumbai connection in January
The airline will operate the flights three times a week – on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays - complementing its recently-launched service between Delhi and London Heathrow.
Etihad to launch new Beijing flights in December
Etihad has unveiled plans for another route to China, with flights from Beijing to Abu Dhabi to launch on December 7th. The service will operate weekly using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Finnair takes inflight dining options into supermarkets
Finnair is bringing its famous signature blueberry juice drink to travel-thirsty grounded customers by making it available to buy in supermarkets across Finland.
Virgin Atlantic to launch pre-flight testing at Heathrow
Virgin Atlantic customers flying to Barbados or onwards to Antigua and Grenada on selected flights will receive a free, rapid, point of care, pre-departure lateral flow antigen test at Heathrow.
IAG Cargo returns to Incheon in South Korea
IAG Cargo has announced a return of its direct service from the United Kingdom to South Korea. The route was paused earlier this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Delta to launch Italian quarantine-free testing trial
Delta Air Lines, the Aeroporti di Roma and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have joined forces for a transatlantic Covid-19 testing program.
Etihad Airways launches facial recognition trial with SITA
The airline has partnered with information technology company SITA to trial the use of facial biometrics in order to check in cabin crew at the airline's crew briefing centre at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Emirates relaunches Dubai Connect offer to transiting passengers
Also today, the airline said it had completed an intensive programme to clear its backlog of refund requests which was caused by pandemic-related travel disruption.
IATA AGM: Aviation sector faces deep losses into next year
The trade body predicts a net loss of $118.5 billion for the sector this year. “This crisis is devastating and unrelenting," said IATA director general, Alexandre de Juniac
IATA AGM: Travel Pass could unlock global borders
Governments are beginning urged to boost the use of testing as a means of limiting the risks of Covid-19 importation when re-opening their borders to travellers.
IATA AGM: Governments urged to following latest testing evidence
Officials at IATA have welcomed the publication of the manual on testing and cross border risk management measures by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.