Mexican shareholders eye controlling investment in flag carrier
July 12, 2021
Aeromexico's parent has disclosed that a group of Mexican shareholders have signalled their intention to take part in equity raising at the Mexican flag carrier. The group of shareholders has informed the airline that they have carried out initial conversions with creditors and potential investors, says Grupo Aeromexico. A "material, controlling and long-term investment" is targeted. "As of this date, Aeromexico is not aware of the formalisation of any agreement and, in due course, it will inform on the execution of any agreement that might be formalised," adds the airline's parent. Aeromexico is undergoing a Chapter 11 financial restructuring process in the USA. On 22 June, it received bankruptcy-court approval for a 75-day extension to propose a reorganisation plan.
UK to drop quarantine for vaccinated amber arrivals on 19 July
July 09, 2021
Fully vaccinated UK residents returning to England from amber-list countries will no longer be required to self-isolate from 19 July, the government has confirmed. Addressing parliament on 8 July, UK transport secretary Grant Shapps said that unvaccinated children under the age of 18 would also be exempt from quarantine on returning from amber-list countries from 19 July. The requirement to take a privately booked PCR test up to three days prior to departing an amber-list country will remain in place, as will the requirement to take another PCR test two days after returning to England. However, the requirement to take an additional test eight days after arriving will be dropped. The changes mean that the restrictions for green- and amber-list countries will "in essence" become "the same", says Shapps. As it stands, the new rules will only apply to travellers arriving in England. Decision-making "may differ" across the UK's devolved administrations, says Shapps. At first, the relaxed restrictions will only apply to UK residents who have been vaccinated in the UK. Shapps says the government is "working to extend" this to include double-jabbed arrivals who have been vaccinated in destinations including the USA and EU member states "later this summer". The government will also remove guidance stating that people should not travel to amber-list countries from 19 July. Passengers can prove their vaccination status by using the National Health Service app or by requesting a letter, says Shapps. Evidence that they have been fully vaccinated must be included on their passenger-locator form, which must be checked by the transport provider before departing from an amber-list country. No changes have been made to the restrictions that apply to arrivals from countries on the UK's red list, and they must still quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days at their own expense. Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade has welcomed the 8 July announcement, describing it as "a positive move towards the genuine reopening the sector has been looking for". He adds: "Opening up the market for the rest of the summer, this announcement will provide far greater opportunities to travel, do business and see family and friends, and enable many more of our customers to book with certainty."
Air France grows A350 fleet to 11 jets
July 08, 2021
Air France on 6 July took delivery of its 11th Airbus A350-900 aircraft at the Airbus delivery centre in Toulouse. The SkyTeam carrier says the aircraft, registered F-HTYJ and names Cannes, will be based at Paris Charles de Gaulle and deployed on long-haul routes. The airline notes that the aircraft consumes 25% less fuel than previous-generation aircraft as it uses 67% lighter materials – 53% composites and 14% titanium. Additionally, its noise footprint is reduced by 40%. The airline plans to acquire a total of 38 A350s by 2025 as part of its efforts to modernise its long-haul fleet. Air France says it will begin the renewal of its short- and medium-haul fleet in September, with the delivery of the first of the 60 Airbus A220s expected by the carrier.