Industry news
UK to remove testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers
regulation
The UK Government is set to scrap all testing requirements for fully vaccinated passengers arriving in the country from 11 February 2022, with passengers required to fill only the Passenger Locator Form.
With this move, the UK is set to become one of the most ‘free-flowing’ borders across Europe, which is expected to provide a boost to the country’s tourism sector.
The decision to end testing requirements is anticipated to save around $134m (£100) for the average family and offer stability for the travel sector this year.
For children aged between 12 and 15 years in England, vaccination status or proof of prior infection can be proven through NHS Covid Pass from 3 February 2022 for outbound travel.
All passengers below 18 years of age will continue to be considered fully vaccinated for inward travel.
technology
FAA approves more 5G towers at US airports
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the civil aviation regulator in the US, has given clearance to telecom companies Verizon and AT&T to turn on additional 5G cell towers at some of the key airports in the country.
This came after consultations to ensure that these towers do not interfere with aeroplanes landing at the airport during a poor weather scenario.
The FAA gave its approval after the wireless firms provided more precise data on the location of wireless transmitters.
The firms are also said to have supported a more detailed evaluation of how 5G C-band signals interact with sensitive aeroplane systems.
Regulation
UK proposes new airline compensation rules
The UK Government has proposed changes to airline compensation rules, with an aim to help passengers seeking justice from unfair practices.
This includes the creation of a new fairer compensation model for domestic flight delays.
According to the new proposals, air travellers can claim compensation based on the length of the flight delay and linked to the cost of travel instead of having to meet a certain threshold of a three-hour delay.
Additionally, the UK Government intends to make it mandatory to include all airlines in the aviation Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme.
Deals
Lufthansa considers stake in Italy’s ITA Airways
German airline Lufthansa is reportedly planning to acquire a 40% stake in ITA Airways, the state-owned flag carrier of Italy.
Citing two people familiar with the development, The Irish Times reported that talks between the two airlines are ongoing.
One of the persons said that Lufthansa and ITA are discussing the price for a 40% stake while the other person familiar with the development stated that the finalisation of the deal is expected to take more than a few days.
A Lufthansa spokesperson did not comment on the news but further stressed that the German carrier is open to an alliance with ITA Airways.
operations
UK extends airport slot alleviation rules for the third quarter of 2022
The UK Government has extended its alleviation of airport slot use rules for the third quarter of 2022 in order to support aviation recovery but raised the minimum threshold to 70%.
Under the new rule, airlines will have to use their slots 70% of the time to retain them, which is still less than the pre-pandemic threshold of 80%.
Airlines will also receive support as demand for flights continues to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Furthermore, the government has expanded the list of situations for airlines where they can claim justification for not using their slots and they will no longer be needed to show that the measures were unforeseeable.
The 70% threshold is higher than the EU requirement, which has set its threshold at 64%.
routes
Virgin Atlantic and Latam Airlines reach codeshare agreement
British airline Virgin Atlantic has entered a codeshare alliance with Chile-based carrier Latam Airlines, allowing its passengers to gain better connectivity to Brazil.
Passengers booking through Virgin Atlantic will have the option to fly directly from London Heathrow to Sao Paulo Guarulhos and connect to 12 airports in Brazil thereafter.
These include Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Curitiba, Florianopolis, Fortaleza, Goiania, Recife, Salvador, Vitoria, and Londrina.
Those flying to London Heathrow from São Paulo will also be able to connect onto Virgin Atlantic’s other destinations through Terminal 3.
operations
Vinci Airports assumes control of MAO
Vinci Airports has been handed over the operation of Manaus International Airport (MAO) in Brazil, marking the second addition to its Brazilian portfolio following Salvador Bahia.
In April last year, the Brazilian civil aviation awarded a 30-year concession contract to Vinci Airports.
A ‘smooth’ transition is said to have been facilitated through support from Infraero, which is in charge of running the main commercial airports in Brazil.
Next month, six other airports in the region, namely Porto Velho, Rio Branco, Boa Vista, Cruzeiro do Sul, Tabatinga, and Tefé will join the Vinci Airports network.
Fuels
New EAG subsidiary to build fuel cell system for hydrogen aircraft
UK-based Electric Aviation Group has launched a new subsidiary for developing megawatt-class fuel cell stack systems for its 90-seater hydrogen airliner called Hydrogen Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft.
The Smart Megawatt Stack Fuel Cell Systems subsidiary will be engaged in the development of fuel cell stack systems that can be used for aerospace and non-aerospace applications.
This megawatt-scale fuel cell stack system will comprise four and six fuel cell stacks with a capacity to deliver 7MW to 8MW of power.
In brief
Etihad Airways to reward corporates for green choices
The UAE’s Etihad Airways has introduced a new loyalty programme for corporate travellers, which will offer perks to both companies and their employees for sustainable initiatives.
GRR's FLITE to support emerging air travel technologies
Gerald R Ford International Airport (GRR) Authority in Michigan, US, has unveiled a new scheme called Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technologies and Entrepreneurship (FLITE), which provides grants to companies offering emerging air travel technology solutions.
Electra receives funding from Lockheed Martin
US-based hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft maker Electra.aero (Electra) has secured investment from Lockheed Martin Ventures in a Series A financing round.
Norse Atlantic secures permit to run flights between the EU and the US
Norse Atlantic Airways, a Norway-based airline company, has received approval from the United States Department of Transportation to operate flights between the US and the EU.
American Airlines and Aer Lingus form codeshare alliance
American Airlines and Aer Lingus have entered a codeshare alliance. American Airlines will put its code on Aer Lingus flights operating between London Heathrow and Dublin airports.
operations
Vinci Airports assumes control of MAO
Vinci Airports has been handed over the operation of Manaus International Airport (MAO) in Brazil, marking the second addition to its Brazilian portfolio following Salvador Bahia.
In April last year, the Brazilian civil aviation awarded a 30-year concession contract to Vinci Airports.
A ‘smooth’ transition is said to have been facilitated through support from Infraero, which is in charge of running the main commercial airports in Brazil.
Next month, six other airports in the region, namely Porto Velho, Rio Branco, Boa Vista, Cruzeiro do Sul, Tabatinga, and Tefé will join the Vinci Airports network.
Fuels
New EAG subsidiary to build fuel cell system for hydrogen aircraft
UK-based Electric Aviation Group has launched a new subsidiary for developing megawatt-class fuel cell stack systems for its 90-seater hydrogen airliner called Hydrogen Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft.
The Smart Megawatt Stack Fuel Cell Systems subsidiary will be engaged in the development of fuel cell stack systems that can be used for aerospace and non-aerospace applications.
This megawatt-scale fuel cell stack system will comprise four and six fuel cell stacks with a capacity to deliver 7MW to 8MW of power.