Asiana Airlines has completed restoration of all seven cargo aircraft back to passenger aircraft in line with the recent recovery in demand for international flights. The aircraft, which include four A350s and three A330s, were used exclusively for cargo during the Covid-19 period and put into operation more than 500 times per remodelled aircraft, the South Korean carrier says. On 16 January, Asiana Airlines completed the restoration work on the last remodelled freighter, an A330, to its original state by installing 260 economy seats. The aircraft will be used on Southeast Asia and Japan routes. The company was able to transport a total of 70,000t of cargo after remodelling its first cargo aircraft, achieving approximately W370 billion ($300 million) in additional sales. In particular, the remodelled freighter was actively used on routes to the Americas where demand for cargo transportation is high, recording additional sales of about W300 billion, it adds.

Etihad Airways plans to launch flights to Copenhagen in Denmark and resume services to Dusseldorf in Germany on 1 October. The Middle Eastern carrier says it will operate four weekly flights from Abu Dhabi to Copenhagen, while the Dusseldorf route will be served three times a week. Both routes will be operated using Boeing 787 aircraft, it adds. Dusseldorf will be the airline's third destination in Germany after Frankfurt and Munich, both currently served with daily flights.

Southwest Airlines has reached agreements with two unions representing its workgroups. Flight instructors, represented by the Transport Workers Union Local 557, have voted in favour of their new contract, the Dallas-based carrier says. The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) have also reached a tentative agreement with Southwest on behalf of facilities maintenance technicians. AMFA national president Bret Oestreich states: “This agreement is warranted after these employees helped safely maintain Southwest’s facilities across the country before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, the membership’s voice will be heard in a ratification vote in the coming weeks.”