Aviation
Italy threatens to ban Ryanair over coronavirus rule-breaking
Italy's national civil aviation authority ENAC threatened on Wednesday to suspend Ryanair's permit to fly in the country over alleged non-compliance with coronavirus safety rules.
EU eyes sustainable fuel quotas to tackle aviation emissions
The European Union is considering quotas to force airlines to use more sustainable fuels as it seeks to clamp down on the climate impact of aviation, the European Commission said on Wednesday (5 August).
Europe air safety regulator gives no firm date for 737 MAX to fly again
Europe's air safety watchdog has no firm date for Boeing's grounded 737 MAX to resume flights, it said on Tuesday (4 August), adding that the US planemaker had some more work to do before a 17-month-old safety ban could be lifted in Europe.
Dutch airline KLM says to shed up to 5,000 jobs due to virus
Dutch airline KLM said Friday (31 July) it would shed up to 5,000 jobs due to a "crisis of unprecedented magnitude" caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Spain agrees investment plan with Airbus to save jobs
Spain said Thursday (30 July) it had agreed with Airbus to invest €185 million to boost its aerospace sector and minimise job cuts by the European plane-maker in the country.
European air executives, airlines, urge Canada to safely restore travel
European airline and airport executives urged the Canadian government this week to allow a safe "restoration of travel" between Canada and Europe, adding industry pressure on Ottawa to remove coronavirus-related restrictions that have discouraged international air travel.
UK’s next-gen warplane could tap battery power
BAE Systems, the defence company behind the British air force’s new fighter jet, has teased the prospect of electric-battery systems playing a substantial role in powering the RAF’s next-generation Tempest warplane, due to enter service in the 2030s.
Greener aviation set for end-of-year lift
An EU initiative aimed at boosting the uptake of cleaner aviation fuels is set to launch at the end of 2020 and a new push by the European Commission to streamline tax policy might yet have a big impact on air travel’s carbon footprint.
Airbus and Boeing sold just one plane in June
The global aerospace duopoly of Airbus and Boeing managed to sell just one aircraft in June, as the virus outbreak’s economic impact on the aviation industry and the grounded MAX scandal continues to affect order books.
Vestager hails KLM’s ‘very good’ €3.4bn bailout
The European Commission has approved the Dutch government’s €3.4 billion support package for national airline KLM, despite criticism levelled at conditions linked to pay cuts.
Air France’s promise to nix domestic flights: Not good enough for the environment
Air France's pledge to end some of its domestic flights in return for billions of euros in government aid is a weak contribution to climate action, as weak railway infrastructure stands in the way of a plane-to-train shift. EURACTIV France reports.
Airbus ponders hydrogen’s flying future
European aerospace giant Airbus sees hydrogen power as “one of the most promising technologies available” to decarbonise air travel and is looking to utilise it as part of plans to roll out a zero-emission aircraft by 2035.
Dutch sign Eurostar treaty, reducing London journey time
The governments of the Netherlands, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom signed on Tuesday (7 July) an updated version of the Eurostar treaty, which will streamline border checks and shave a full hour off the Amsterdam-London journey time.
Commission chews over changes to aviation emissions rules
The European Commission revealed on Friday (3 July) details about how it plans to adapt climate policy to the aviation sector, by integrating a global offsetting scheme into EU rules and slashing free pollution permits.
Austria’s trains take over short-haul flight route
Austrian Airlines will cease operating its Vienna-Salzburg route, the flag-carrier announced on Thursday (2 July). Instead, the service will be replaced by more direct trains, in an effort to honour the terms of the government's recent bailout deal.
Germany urges ‘no favours’ in Airbus job cuts
German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier on Wednesday (1 July) urged plane builder Airbus to spread the pain fairly as it cuts 15,000 jobs to deal with lower orders following the coronavirus pandemic.
Airlines granted huge emissions reprieve by UN compromise
The UN’s aviation emissions offsetting scheme will not take 2020 into account when calculating how much airlines have to pay to neutralise their carbon dioxide output. Environmental groups have derided the decision for “making a mockery” of climate policy.
Coronavirus prompts airline nationalisation spree
Portugal and Italy are both flirting with bringing their flag-carrying airlines under state-ownership to combat the economic hardships caused or exacerbated by the global pandemic.
EU bans two Pakistani airlines in wake of licence scandal
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) banned Pakistan’s national airline from operating in EU airspace on Tuesday (30 June), after an inquest found that up to a third of Pakistani pilots may have acquired their licences illegally.
From Brussels to Malaga: traveling in times of pandemic
As the summer kicks in and EU countries have been easing travel restriction, I decided to experience what it is like to travel during a pandemic by flying from Brussels to Malaga (Spain).
Dutch government unveils KLM rescue plan
The Netherlands' national airline, KLM, is set for a €3.4 billion bailout package should it meet certain employment, financial and sustainability targets, the Dutch government announced on Friday (26 June). It still requires regulatory approval from Brussels.
Lufthansa’s €9bn mega-bailout cleared for takeoff
Lufthansa shareholders and the European Commission both approved Berlin’s €9 billion rescue package on Thursday (25 June), as the German airline continues to struggle to ride out the economic slump caused by the coronavirus.
Largest electric plane in Europe takes to the skies over the UK
A six-seater battery-powered aircraft flew for the first time over the UK on Monday (22 June), becoming Europe’s largest e-plane in the process just as the aviation industry revealed that it wants the EU to invest big in the future of flight innovation.