Austrian Airlines passengers can now select a sustainable fuel option in the booking process to compensate for the CO2 emissions generated by their flight, via the Compensaid tool developed by Lufthansa Innovation Hub. The tool precisely calculates the amount of CO2 emitted and then offers a corresponding offset with sustainable fuel, Lufthansa Group subsidiary Austrian notes. Compared with conventional kerosene, sustainable fuel reduces CO2 emissions by up to 80%, and it can be fed into regular flight operations without infrastructure adjustments. Austrian Airlines chief executive Alexis von Hoensbroech states: "The future of climate-neutral flying lies in sustainable fuel. We have been emphasising this for a long time. Electro mobility, for example, will not be an option for aviation for some time yet, as the necessary batteries would be too heavy to get a plane in the air. "I am therefore very pleased that with Compensaid we are now giving our passengers the opportunity to make their individual journey climate-friendly by using sustainable fuel.”

Boeing is urging 16 operators of 737 Max jets to address an electrical system concern before further operating the aircraft. The company has disclosed few details about the problem, and the US Federal Aviation Administration did not respond to a request for comment. “Boeing has recommended to 16 customers that they address a potential electrical issue in a specific group of 737 Max airplanes prior to further operations,” the company said on 9 April. “The recommendation is being made to allow for verification that a sufficient ground path exists for a component of the electrical power system.” Boeing adds that it is working “closely with the US Federal Aviation Administration on this production issue”. Emergence of the issue comes five months after the FAA lifted the Max’s grounding. “We are also informing our customers of specific tail numbers affected and we will provide direction on appropriate corrective actions,” Boeing adds. The company does not say how many aircraft are affected by the issue. Boeing says it is “premature” to estimate how long repairs to the jets might take, but adds that the maintenance work could take “a matter of hours or days”. The global fleet of in-service 737 Max stands at 176 aircraft. Those jets are operated by 22 airlines, most based in North and South America, but with some based in Europe.

Iceland has opened its borders to all travellers who can provide evidence that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, or have previously been infected with the virus. On 6 April, the country removed quarantine restrictions for all international visitors who present a paper or electronic certificate that proves they have been fully vaccinated, or they have had Covid-19. Evidence for the latter can be either a positive PCR test result that is more than two weeks old, or a document showing the presence of antibodies against the disease. All arrivals are still required to take a Covid-19 test when they land in Iceland. However, those with certificates of vaccination or prior infection will no longer be required to quarantine for up to six days and take a repeat test. "The new border measures that came into effect on April 6 do apply to all passengers from non-Schengen countries as long as they can provide proof of vaccination or prior infection as stipulated by the chief epidemiologist (and have the required visa if necessary)," Iceland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed. Further travel from Iceland to the rest of Europe for non-Schengen residents is still not permitted, however. Unvaccinated visitors and those who have not previously had Covid-19 must present a negative PCR test up to 72h before boarding a flight to Iceland. They must then take another test on arrival and quarantine for five to six days before taking a third test. From 1 May, Iceland's border controls will follow the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's traffic light approach, says Icelandair. Those arriving from countries on the red list will have to test on arrival and take a repeat test after five or six days in quarantine, while arrivals from amber and green countries will be required to take one test on arrival.