United’s Q2 worst slump in 94-year history
United Airlines posted a loss of $1.6 billion for the second quarter of the year, racking up the largest loss recorded in the company’s 94-year history. For the three months ending 30 June, total operating revenue was down 87 per cent. While the company admits it has been hard-hit by the coronavirus slump, it maintains
UKAB shines light on trans-Atlantic drone airprox
A Virgin Atlantic flight bound for Orlando, Florida, came within 100-150 metres of an illegally-flown drone, just one minute after taking off from London’s Gatwick Airport with 455 onboard. That’s according to an incident report released this week by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB), the Civil Aviation Authority division that deals with near-collisions. The paper
Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic has operated scheduled passenger services for the first time in three months, less than a week after clinching a £1.2 billion rescue package. On Monday, the airline operated a landmark flight from London Heathrow to Hong Kong International, followed the day after by ex-Heathrow services to New York JFK and Los
Icelandair pulls off eleventh-hour union deal
After weeks of heated negotiations, Icelandair says that the airline has finally struck a deal with the Icelandic Cabin Crew Association (FFI) – reversing a decision posted two days prior that would have seen all cabin crew fired. The breakthrough came two days after it had decided to appoint pilots to oversee flight attendants’ duties,
Iceland's largest carrier has announced it will sack all its cabin crew – with pilots set to “temporarily” take over their roles from 20 July.
£1.2bn lifeline confirmed for Virgin Atlantic
Following weeks of speculation from media and industry sources, Virgin Atlantic has confirmed that it has closed a £1.2 billion rescue deal. On Tuesday, the beleaguered British carrier announced that it had settled on a privately-funded recapitalisation package – one that largely mirrors leaked reports. New York-based hedge fund Davidson Kempner (DK) will provide about
