Ryanair has accepted the first Boeing 737-Max aircraft of a 210-strong order that should cut fuel consumption, noise and carbon emissions. The carrier took delivery of the aircraft in Seattle and it will fly overnight to land at Dublin airport on the afternoon of 16 June. "We are delighted to take delivery of our first new technology Gamechanger aircraft", comments Ryanair Group chief executive Michael O'Leary. "These new Boeing 737 aircraft will help Ryanair lower costs, cut fuel consumption and lower noise and CO2 emissions as we invest heavily in new technology to deepen our environmental commitment as Europe's greenest, cleanest major airline." At list prices, Ryanair's investment in the new aircraft amounts to $22 billion, it says. Compared to current generation Boeing 737 aircraft, the Max will carry 4% more passengers, but reduce fuel requirements by 16% per seat and noise by 40%. The company is due to take delivery of just 12 of the new aircraft type during summer 2021, six of which will be allocated to Ryanair and six to Malta Air. Ryanair Group plans to take delivery of an additional 50 Max aircraft before summer 2022, which will enable it to "rebound strongly, offering new routes, lower fares, and rapid traffic recovery", as the sector looks to rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic. O'Leary has been extremely critical of Boeing over delays to the Max program in recent months, saying on a 17 May results call that the manufacturer "needs to get their act together" over its delivery schedule. The company had expected to receive six of the type in April and eight in May, but halfway through that month had no visibility on when deliveries would begin. Ryanair had sought to receive its first Max in time for summer 2021 in order to get pilots, cabin crews and passengers used to the aircraft before a wider deployment next year.

Portugal's government has eased restrictions for travellers arriving from the USA, enabling them to bypass a quarantine period if they have proof of a negative test for Covid-19. US passengers (except for children 24 months old and under) must submit either a negative PCR test taken 72h before boarding or a rapid antigen test taken within 24h of boarding. The new guidelines are effective 15 June, the US embassy and consulate in Portugal states. The US State department has designated Portugal a "level 3: reconsider travel" destination, one level above its most dire "do not travel" Covid-19 warning. United Airlines says that it "applauds" Portugal's easing of restrictions for US travellers. "United is the first US carrier to resume flights to Portugal this summer with daily flights from New York/Newark beginning on July 1," the Chicago-based carrier states. "United flies to more European destinations than any other US carrier, and looks forward to welcoming back customers on more than 30 daily flights to 16 destinations in Europe this summer." United will operate 59 flights between the USA to Portugal in July, data shows. Portugal-based Azores Airlines and TAP Air Portugal will also be operating direct flights connecting the two countries that month. France on 9 June began permitting US travellers to bypass quarantine requirements if they could provide proof that they are fully vaccinated with a European Medicines Agency-approved vaccine and can present negative results of a Covid-19 test.

UAE-based Emirates Group has posted a loss of Dh22.1 billion ($6 billion) for the financial year ended 31 March, after travel restrictions had a severe impact on its long-haul, hub-focused business. Excluding airport services group Dnata, the carrier's losses hit Dh20.3 billion ($ 5.5 billion), compared with a Dh1.1 billion profit in the previous year, as passenger numbers fell 88% to 6.6 million. The carrier's revenue declined by two-thirds to Dh30.9 billion, impacted by the suspension of activity at Dubai in the early part of the year and the subsequent weak recovery. The loss represents the first in Emirates' 30 year history, and the company required a Dh11.3 billion bailout from its ultimate shareholder, the government of Dubai. “No one knows when the pandemic will be over, but we know recovery will be patchy," states Emirates Group chief executive Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. "Economies and companies that entered pandemic times in a strong position, will be better placed to bounce back." He adds: "Until 2020-21, Emirates and Dnata have had a track record of growth and profitability, based on solid business models, steady investments in capability and infrastructure, a strong drive for innovation, and a deep talent pool led by a stable leadership team. These fundamental ingredients of our success remain unchanged. "Together with Dubai’s undiminished ambitions to grow economic activity and build a city for the future, I am confident that Emirates and dnata will recover and be stronger than before.” The carrier took action to rein in costs, reducing its workforce by 31% to 75,000 employees and trimming its fleet by net 11 units, having received three new Airbus A380s and retired nine Boeing 777-300ER's and five A380's. It also sought to restructure its financial obligations, renegotiate contracts and consolidate its operations. These combined efforts contributed to Dh7.7 billion in annual savings. Overall operating costs were down by 46%. "Emirates' orderbook for 200 aircraft remains unchanged at this time," it highlights. "The airline is firmly committed to its long-standing strategy of operating a modern and efficient fleet, which underscores its 'Fly Better' brand promise, as young aircraft are better for the environment, better for operations, and better for customers." Amid ongoing investment in its facilities and equipment, the carrier believes it is set to benefit when the recovery does arrive, including via its new premium-economy cabins for its A380s. Cargo revenue represented a bright spot, increasing 53% to Dh17.1 billion, as freight rates rocketed on reduced capacity levels. As it sought to bolster capacity the airline rapidly converted 19 passenger Boeing 777-300ERs into "mini freighters", with seats removed, although the reduction in its passenger services means that tonneage carried still decreased by 22%. Airport services unit Dnata made loss of Dh1.8 billion, as revenue fell 62% to Dh5.5 billion. Emirates Group ended the period with Dh19.8 billion ($5.4 billion) in cash.