A year ago, as passengers started pressing Air Canada for refunds against cancelled flights, the airline fought back. Now, in the wake of a proposed $25 million penalty for its actions, the carrier is repeating those positions directly to the US Department of Transportation.
Department of Transportation
US aims to block sale of tickets to Belarus
The US Department of Transportation tentatively acted to prohibit the sale of passenger flights between the US and Belarus. A final order could come as soon as the end of the week.
South Africa rejects Delta’s Cape Town plans
News broke late last week that Delta Air Lines no longer plans to include Cape Town in its plans for service to South Africa. Now we know a key reason: the South African government denied the airline’s application
Aer Lingus delays Manchester-US service launch
The Aer Lingus hub at Manchester, UK is taking a delay. Citing slower than expected reopening of the US-UK travel corridor, Aer Lingus will delay the launch of US routes two months, now planning New York and Orlando flights to begin on 30 September 2020.
US DOT seeks major penalty for Air Canada’s no refund policy
It took more than a year, but the US Department of Transportation is ready to pursue regulatory actions against Air Canada. Citing a lack of progress in resolving the issue through an agreed consent order assessing a civil penalty, the DOT filed a formal complaint against the airline, seeking more the $25 million in damages.
Vistara scores tentative DOT approval for US operations
Just five weeks after submitting its application the US Department of Transportation, India’s Vistara received tentative approval to begin operations to the United States. Assuming no objections from other carriers a final decision could be delivered by the end of the month.
Vistara plans US launch in September
The Vistara 787s could be flying to the USA later this year. The carrier applied to the US DOT for permission to operate service as soon as September.
Norse Atlantic snags former Norwegian planes for launch
Picking up some of Norwegian’s old 787s was always part of the plan for Norse Atlantic’s launch later this year. Picking up its troubled history gaining access to the US market, however, is less useful.
New Haven seeks a pair of hubs
For a smaller airport attracting a new airline operation is a big deal. Coming out of a pandemic where service was slashed to nil, the value of a new operation is even greater. Securing status as a hub or focus city for a new low cost carrier operation would be a massive win. But all of those goals seem quaint to the Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport Authority. The airport wants more.
US DOT puts the squeeze on Hong Kong
The US Department of Transportation will require Hong Kong-based airlines to file their planned operations in advance, a first step towards potentially limiting the frequency or types of flights from the Chinese Special Administrative Region to the United States. The move comes in response to a change in quarantine policies effected 20 February that asymmetrically benefit Cathay Pacific’s cargo operations over all other operators.