Virgin Galactic is keen to bring intrepid travelers into space on its SpaceShipTwo vehicle, but the company is also looking at alternative revenue sources. Among them, renting out the WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) launch support aircraft for government or private businesses to use for science, research, and national security applications. There’s just one problem: Legally it cannot do that.
Airplanes and Airports
AirAsia pivots away from its airline roots
“We have successfully pivoted from an airline to an all-in-one digital lifestyle company anchored on travel.” This was the key message delivered by AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes as part of the company’s Q2 financial results that showed a 96% drop in quarterly revenue. Airline-related revenue dropped 98% while non-airline revenue, a much smaller portion of the company’s operations, dipped only 55%.
Swiss swaps planes for trains to Geneva
Passengers connecting from Geneva to Zurich and beyond have more options than ever with Swiss, now that the airline will use trains as part of its “flight” network.
Spirit Airlines avoids pilot furloughs in October
Spirit Airlines will not involuntarily furlough any pilots in October when the CARES Act Payroll Support Program funding expires. The news comes just days after the company and the Air Line Pilots Association representing its pilots indicated that 117 positions were at risk.
ExpressJet to wind down operations on 30 September
ExpressJet will halt its regional operations for United at the end of September rather than trying to slowly trim the schedule through the end of the year.
American to suspend 15 markets as CARES Act funding expires
With federal government subsidies set to expire airlines will undoubtedly trim their route maps. American Airlines announced its cuts first, with 15 markets set to be suspended in October, barring additional federal funding.
Alaska pushes for renewed role as global passenger hub
Sure, the aviation industry is hurting right now. But the airports of Alaska are thinking big about the future. The state wants to see its airport infrastructure eligible to serve as hubs for foreign airlines, boosting local tourism while also allowing for broader connections into the lower 48.
Cape Air grounds Tecnam P2012 fleet
Cape Air’s fleet of Tecnam P2012 Traveller aircraft is grounded. The “temporary and voluntary” measure comes as regulators on both sides of the Atlantic need to discus potential issues related to modifications of the elevator trim control system.
Damn the hubs; nonstop flights ahead for United
United Airlines is reinventing its domestic route map for the coming winter season, with plans to add nearly two dozen new domestic routes that bypass the carrier’s hub airports. It is a gamble in many ways, but with all the historical models essentially useless today the company is ready to try something different and see if it can generate a bit of revenue.
LATAM’s unlikely recovery funding: Qatar Airways could boost Delta’s position
LATAM’s bankruptcy proceedings are getting interesting, with competing DIP funding proposals in play. And one reportedly contains a spectacularly unexpected arrangement between vicious competitors: Qatar Airways and Delta Air Lines.