Airbus has launched a subscription-based software tool for pilots undergoing initial or recurrent type training, which features a 3D interactive virtual cockpit environment that can be accessed on any digital device. Named Mobile Airbus Training experience (MATe), the cloud-based solution was derived from a virtual, interactive cockpit simulator used in the airframer's training centres. Airbus says it developed MATe with portability and compatibility in mind. "Pilots can therefore use the service to train whenever and wherever they want, with trainers able to monitor and follow their progress via the latest cloud technology," it says. It suggests the software follows a "competency-based" philosophy and enables "better knowledge retention" than other study solutions. Airbus predicts that the software will deliver significant time savings on higher-level training devices and simulators. The solution is initially available for A320-family pilots. Versions for the A330 and A350 are to be launched in early 2022. Air Malta and Indian carrier IndiGo are among several airlines that have subscribed to the service, Airbus says.

Ryanair, EasyJet, Tui UK & Ireland, Virgin Atlantic and Manchester Airports Group have failed in their High Court bid to force the UK government to publish information on which travel-restriction decisions are based. The industry group launched the legal action in June, following Portugal's removal from the green list and the addition of a host of countries to the red list. "The primary thrust of the claimant's challenge is that these decisions were taken without proper reasons being given and without proper notice of the criteria applied when deciding that countries should move from one list to another," notes the High Court. However, it has decided that the government did not act unlawfully in taking the decision, and that forcing the authorities to provide further information "would hamper rather than enhance effective public administration". In a joint statement responding to the ruling, the complainants deride the UK government's handling of traffic-light travel restrictions as causing unnecessary uncertainty to businesses and consumers. "The way decisions have been taken to date has not been transparent and has created huge confusion and uncertainty for the British public," write the various companies' chief executives in the joint letter. "In a recent poll, 80% of UK consumers agreed." A recent decision to create another category of "amber-plus" for travellers from France is described in the letter as "shambolic". It goes on: "If the government is truly following the data, then it must make significant changes to the green list, including adding the US and major EU countries. There is also no reason why travellers from the US and EU should not be exempt from quarantine and testing as soon as possible. "The UK has already fallen behind the EU's reopening and our overly cautious approach to international travel will further impact our economic recovery."

Thailand and Vietnam have further tightened restrictions on domestic flights into and out of areas severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) says in an 18 July statement that it will require local airlines to suspend commercial passenger flights to and from “dark red” zones, classified as having the highest infection risk, starting 21 July, in line with travel restrictions imposed on these provinces. Thirteen provinces have been classified as “dark red” zones and these are Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Narathiwat, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Yala, Songkhla, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon. Exceptions will be made for regions with a tourism-oriented “sandbox” initiative, as well as emergency or technical landings, and other CAAT-authorised flights. Outside of the “dark red” provinces, other flights are capped at 50% passenger capacity to account for social distancing. In response to the tightened measures, Bangkok Airways announced on 18 July that it will temporarily suspend its Bangkok-Samui service from 21 July and postpone the resumption of several domestic routes from Bangkok, originally scheduled for 1 August, to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Sukhothai, Lampang and Trat. However, the airline will continue to operate its special Bangkok-Koh Samui route for vaccinated international passengers under the “Samui Plus” scheme as well as its Samui-Phuket route under the “Phuket Sandbox” scheme. Thai AirAsia previously announced it would suspend all scheduled domestic flights from 12 July until the end of the month. Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has issued a 18 July notice to Vietnamese airlines to suspend all domestic flights into or out of southern provinces. Airlines will be able to operate from Hanoi one flight a day, to Can Tho and Phu Quoc, while flights from Ho Chi Minh City to the central regions including Danang, Buon Ma Thuot, Quy Nhon and Cam Ranh will be maintained at one flight of not more than 200 seats per day, as per CAAV's 8 July notice. The regulator has also proposed to cut the number of seats on daily round-trip flights between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The CAAV adds that the restrictions will not apply to cargo flights.