United Airways suspends operations
June 30, 2016
The last remaining operational aircraft of Bangladeshi carrier, United Airways, has been grounded due to maintenance related issues, consequently forcing the airline to suspend operations. Throughout 2014 and 2015, the airline had experienced a number of temporary suspensions due to a lack of serviceable aircraft. The airline's official website has removed all scheduling information and no official statement regarding the recommencement of operations could be identified. The airline is reportedly looking to divest approximately USD50 million worth of shares in an effort to raise the sufficient capital to resume operations.
CAAC sanctions Orient Thai Airlines
June 30, 2016
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has reportedly issued a fine to Thai based airline, Orient Thai Airlines. The operator reportedly failed to acquire the appropriate permits to perform flights to Nanning and Chengdu in China. As a result, the CAAC issued the airline with a USD4,500 fine. This recent penalisation comes after the CAAC issued an additional fine to Orient Thai last month, after a nose wheel separated from an aircraft during a landing at Nanning Wuxu International Airport. In addition to this financial penalty, the airline was also restricted from introducing new routes to Chinese destinations for a period of six months.
Equatorial Congo Airlines temporarily suspends domestic operations
June 30, 2016
On 22nd June 2016, ECAir Equatorial Congo Airlines (Republic of the Congo) suspended its domestic operations due to the unserviceability of two Boeing 737 aircraft. One of the aircraft utilised on the Brazzaville-Point Noire route was reportedly undergoing maintenance in Brussels, with the remaining aircraft damaged as a result of a hangar fire in Prague. ECAir has stated that it will continue to sell tickets and honour existing bookings; however, flights will be operated by fellow Congo-based airline, Trans Air Congo and its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft.