IAG secures Spanish bank loans for Iberia and Vueling despite BA job cuts May 1, 2020 International Airlines Group (IAG) this morning announced it had secured over €1bn (£880m) in Spanish bank loans for its Iberia and Vueling carriers, a day after announcing 12,000 job cuts at British Airways (BA). The loans, which will be guaranteed by the Spanish state bank, will see Iberia receive $750m and Vueling $260m to see [...]
Ryanair set to cut up to 3,000 jobs due to coronavirus May 1, 2020 Budget airline Ryanair has warned that it might cut up to 3,000 jobs due to the ongoing disruption from the coronavirus pandemic. The low-cost carrier said that it would begin a restructuring programme in July 2020, with most of the cuts expected to affect pilots and cabin crew staff. It also said that unpaid leave, [...]
Ryanair will not resume flights if middle seat must be left empty, says Michael O’Leary April 22, 2020 Ryanair will not resume flights if it is forced to leave the middle seats empty in order to comply with social distancing rules, the budget airline’s chief executive Michael O’Leary said. O’Leary reportedly said he believed the company will about 40 per cent of its flights at a capacity of 50 to 60 per cent [...]
Coronavirus: Norwegian Air passenger numbers fall 60 per cent in March April 6, 2020 Norwegian Air flew 60 per cent fewer passengers year-on-year in March as the low-cost carrier grounded planes in response to widespread travel bans due to coronavirus. Compared to last year, the airline flew only 1.15m passengers, meaning capacity was 40 per cent lower than had been planned. In a statement, the airline said: “The company [...]
Coronavirus: British Airways owner IAG suspends 90 per cent of flights April 2, 2020 British Airways owner IAG has said it will now suspend 90 per cent of its flights, up from the 75 per cent previously announced, as the airline industry looks to protect itself against the coronavirus outbreak. IAG joins other UK airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet, who have both suspended all or almost all of [...]
Easyjet founder blasts board over call for state aid, tells firm to raise cash March 30, 2020 Easyjet’s founder and largest shareholder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has blasted the airline’s calls for state aid, saying companies as big as Easyjet “do not deserve charitable gifts”. Instead, the carrier should look to raise cash through an equity raise, he said, saying government loans “would only postpone the problem, [they] do not cure it”. In [...]
Coronavirus: London Southend Airport to close for four days a week March 26, 2020 London Southend airport will shut for more than half of the week from Monday due to the complete collapse in passenger demand caused by the coronavirus outbreak. From next week, the airport will only be open between 16:30 and 21:30 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays due to severely reduced service. Due to the onset of [...]
Coronavirus: What if I want to cancel a flight? March 25, 2020 The coronavirus pandemic has effectively brought global air travel to a standstill, leaving thousands of Brits wondering what to do about future flights. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s advice against all foreign travel until 16 April means that airlines and travel agents are obliged to cancel flights and holidays, and issue refunds or allow passengers [...]
Coronavirus: Ryanair ‘does not expect to operate flights in April and May’ March 24, 2020 Ryanair has confirmed that it “does not expect to operate flights in April and May” due to the coronavirus epidemic, a week after warning that it would ground “most, if not all” of its planes. The budget carrier has instead offered its aircraft to all EU governments to use for repatriating civilians and to transport [...]
Coronavirus: Airbus draws new €15bn credit line and cancels dividend March 23, 2020 Aerospace giant Airbus has taken drastic steps to mitigate the financial impact of the coronavirus epidemic, including securing a new €15bn credit facility. The world’s largest plane manufacturer has also suspended its guidance for the coming financial year and binned its 2019 dividend, which was worth approximately €1.4bn. Airbus will also pause its voluntary top [...]