Southwest reduces aircraft cleaning between flights, focusing on tray tables over seat belts

Southwest Airlines cut back on its cleaning procedures as the Dallas-based airline returns to standard turnaround times. According to a Southwest memo to flight attendants obtained by USA TODAY, starting Aug. 1, the between-flight cleaning focused on high-touch areas such as the lavatories and tray tables, which are disinfected before each takeoff (top, bottom and latch of each table). "These are the most important areas to clean between each flight as they are prone to contamination from… (www.usatoday.com) עוד...

British airways 747-400 Negus livery to be preserved

British Airways today revealed that suspicions were correct regarding the fate of G-CIVB. The aircraft is sporting the airline's Negus retro livery that was applied last year to celebrate its 100th birthday. The aircraft is currently at Cotswold Airport, having undertaken its final flight earlier this month. This aircraft will now be maintained at Kemble where members of the public will be able to visit it. Last week we reported that one of the airline's aircraft was being turned into… (simpleflying.com) עוד...

Virgin Australia orders 25 Boeing 737 Max 10s, cancels previous deal

Virgin Australia, which most recently exited administration under new owners, has placed a new order for 25 Boeing 737 Max 10s, after cancelling its existing commitments for the type. The airline had held orders for 48 737 Max , including 23 Max 8s and 25 Max 10s, but had repeatedly pushed back deliveries. (www.flightglobal.com) עוד...

Spirit Airlines bedlam, day five: Airline cancels half of Thursday flights, bringing weekly total to 1,700+

Spirit Airlines apologized to passengers Wednesday after days of staggering flight cancellations and said cancellations should ease in the days to come as it reboots its operation. Help didn't arrive on Thursday. The Florida-based carrier, which has blamed its operational meltdown on a series of issues, including weather, technology outages and staffing shortages, has already canceled 402 Thursday flights or 51% of its scheduled flights, as of 11:30 a.m. EDT, according to flight tracker… (www.usatoday.com) עוד...

Air New Zealand to resume and bring back the Boeing 777-319;s out of the desert in December 2021

Air New Zealand sent there B777s 319's to storage last year are now going to bring them back from Victorville at the end of 2021 the CEO Luxton said in a new cast yesterday on TVNZ four have being stored at Auckland airport for a year which two are 777-219;s. The 777-319's will resume on long haul routes to help there sister aircraft the Boeing 787-919's which replaced the jets while in sotrage. Five of the older 777-200's will also be brought back into service for Trans… (www.usatoday.com) עוד...

Virgin Atlantic’s last 747-400 set to be recruited as troopship

UK long-haul airline Virgin Atlantic Airways is preparing to withdraw its final Boeing 747-400, which is set to be transformed into a US-operated troop carrier. The aircraft (G-VROY), parked at the airline’s London Heathrow maintenance hangar, has undergone an acceptance check by its lessor. FlightGlobal understands that the aircraft is due to depart on 16 December, or possibly 17 December, bound for Pinal Airpark. It will be taken up by Atlas Air as a troop carrier. (www.flightglobal.com) עוד...

New Zealand Provides Some Clarity On Border Opening Dates

The New Zealand Government has firmed up entry dates to allow fully vaccinated New Zealanders to head home and skip the hotel quarantine process. The New Zealand border will reopen to vaccinated New Zealanders from Australia at 11.59 pm on February 27 and reopen to New Zealanders in the rest of the world on March 13. Also Air New Zealand will reactivate it Boeing 777 319 fleet as early as April four of these aircraft are in storage at Auckland airport and four others will be ferried from… (simpleflying.com) עוד...

Qantas may re activate two 747 400's from Majove to help with strain on international flights

Qantas majove desert, two Boeing 747-438s returned to service after they were to be retired. CEO Alan Joyce made the announcement that due to aircraft shortages on International services they are considering bring our two 747-438s home to cope with the shortage of international aircraft. He said it was a mistake to send them there but had no options to preserve them long term or to be scrapped. VH-OEI VH-OEH are two 747s ready to be ferried back. There in good condition and have not being… (www.qantasnewsroom.com.au) עוד...

Spirit Airlines warns of layoffs as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cut into air travel

Spirit Airlines is warning employees that it could furlough up to 30% of its roughly 9,000 workers in October, when federal payroll-help money runs out. CEO Ted Christie said in a memo to employees that furloughs might be needed because Spirit is burning through too much cash as the coronavirus pandemic continues to cut sharply into air travel (www.usatoday.com) עוד...

Fiji Airways denounces Qantas decision to begin own services to Fiji

Fiji Airways has hit out at Qantas’ for its sudden flip from ally to adversary, saying it has been very damaging for the national carrier. Qantas is a major shareholder and long standing commercial partner of Fiji Airways, but its announcement in January, that it would be commencing its own services to Fiji has now made it a major competitor to Fiji Airways. The National Carrier while responding to queries by FBC News says they’ve met with Qantas on a number of occasions to voice their concerns… (www.fbcnews.com.fj) עוד...