Can a merger of competing airlines improve customer choice and lower prices? History suggests, time and again, the answer is no. But that did not stop Avianca from suggesting that a buyout of Viva would do precisely that.
Avianca
LATAM seeks US bankruptcy protection, plans to continue operations
South America’s LATAM Airlines Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in the US courts on Tuesday morning, seeking to restructure debt while continuing regular operations. Or, at least, operations as close to regular as possible given the current global aviation environment.
Avianca declares bankruptcy, seeks protection in restructuring
Colombia’s Avianca became the latest and largest carrier to seek financial protections as the coronavirus pandemic stretches on, grounding airlines and flummoxing their balance sheets
Avianca launches Inmarsat GX with free trial program
The first two aircraft in Latin America with Inmarsat’s GX Aviation inflight connectivity solution are now online. Avianca officially inaugurated the service this week, launching a two month trial period where passengers can connect for free while in flight.
Airport Status: Canceled – Pulling the plug in Mexico City
The new Mexico City airport is dead. Fulfilling a campaign promise, incoming President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced that construction on the project would be halted once he takes office. The move came after the results of a national referendum on the project showed 70% of voters opposed to the new airport. That only one million people voted (of ~90mm registered) in the theoretically non-binding poll seems to not matter. The president intends to scrap the efforts.