Faced with the major Air Transat layoffs announced for November, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) is calling on the federal government to immediately deploy rapid COVID-19 screening at Canadian airports. The Air Transat component of CUPE has just learned that the number of its flight attendant members will drop to less than 160 […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed the release of the results of testing by the United States Transportation Command (US Transcom) confirming the low risk of COVID-19 transmission onboard an aircraft. The US Transcom testing, which was conducted in August, found that “the overall exposure risk from aerosolized pathogens, like coronavirus, is very low” […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News

Today, customers traveling on United Airlines from San Francisco International Airport to Hawaii were the first to experience the airline’s COVID-19 pilot testing program, allowing customers who return a negative result to bypass the state’s mandatory quarantine requirements and enjoy their time on the islands sooner. In collaboration with San Francisco International Airport, customers now […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News

Today, customers traveling on United Airlines from San Francisco International Airport to Hawaii were the first to experience the airline’s COVID-19 pilot testing program, allowing customers who return a negative result to bypass the state’s mandatory quarantine requirements and enjoy their time on the islands sooner. In collaboration with San Francisco International Airport, customers now […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News

Over 660 Hawaii airport workers will be permanently laid off on October 15, the same day that the state is reopening tourism. They work for HMSHost, an airport subcontractor that manages concessions, restaurants, Starbucks, bars, pantry, maintenance, etc. at Honolulu International Airport, Kahului Airport, and Lihue Airport. The State of Hawaii is allowing this subcontractor […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News

Kazakhstan’s Chief Sanitary Officer announced that the country plans to cut down down air service with the UAE, Germany, Ukraine, and Belarus. During an online press briefing, the official revealed that the restrictions will come in effect in the nearest future and that they were forced by the worsening COVID-19 situation in those countries. The […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News

Athens-based airline, SKY express, has placed a firm order for four A320neo aircraft, becoming a new Airbus customer. In addition, the Greek airline recently leased two A320neos from ACG Aviation Capital Group and on that occasion joined the global list of 430 Airbus operators. The airline has selected CFM-International’s Leap-1A engines to power its aircraft. […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News

Today, Ethiopian Airlines and the United States announced a new partnership agreement that will enable the nation’s flagship carrier to source locally grown produce and ingredients for preparing in-flight meals for global passengers. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam and U.S. Ambassador Michael Raynor signed a memorandum of understanding in which the U.S. Agency […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News

Hong Kong Airlines will operate a special Embrace “Home” Kong sunset flight on Saturday, October 24, 2020. HX852 will depart Hong Kong International Airport at 4:30pm, flying within 200 nautical miles from Hong Kong over the South China seas. During the 90-minute flight, passengers will get to experience a spectacular sunset from the skies, as […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao today announced the publication of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Streamlined Launch and Reentry Licensing Requirements Final Rule for commercial space transportation launches and reentries. “This historic, comprehensive update to commercial space launch and reentry licensing requirements facilitates greater growth in this industry and helps America to maintain […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News

Today, WestJet announced it will be indefinitely suspending  operations  to Moncton, Fredericton, Sydney and Charlottetown while significantly reducing service to Halifax and St. John’s. The suspension eliminates more than 100 flights weekly or almost 80 percent of seat capacity from the Atlantic region starting November 2. Details can be found at bottom of release. “It has become unviable […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News

United Airlines today announced third-quarter 2020 financial results. Since the beginning of the crisis, the company has been at the forefront of the industry in delivering on its three-pillar strategy of building and maintaining liquidity, minimizing cash burn and variabilizing its cost structure. Achieving these objectives has supported the airline’s ability to manage the crisis […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News

Russia announced that it is resuming flights with three more countries: Serbia, Japan and Cuba. According to the order of the head of Russia’s government, flights will be operated twice a week on the routes Moscow – Belgrade, Moscow – Cayo Coco and Moscow – Santa Clara. Also, from November 1, flights to Tokyo will […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News

Delta Air Lines today reported financial results for the September quarter 2020. Detailed results, including both GAAP and adjusted metrics, are on page four and are incorporated here. “While our September quarter results demonstrate the magnitude of the pandemic on our business, we have been  encouraged as more customers travel and we are seeing a […] - eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News