Thailand's Central Bankruptcy Court could decide on 14 September whether the country's flag carrier will be permitted to restructure under business rehabilitation. Thai Airways on 25 August concluded three days of court hearings, following its filing for business rehabilitation back in May. The first hearing was held on 17 August, and among other things, criticism was levelled against one of the rehabilitation planners, EY Corporate Advisory Services. In addition, the court set dates for two additional hearings, on 20 and 25 August. At the 20 August hearing, one of the 16 creditors which had previously raised objections to Thai's rehabilitation plan withdrew that objection. On 25 August, another creditor, Data Products Toppan Forms, an ATM card manufacturer, presented its witnesses to the court. The court also scheduled the next hearing for 14 September, 10:00. Thai Airways said in a same-day statement: "Today's process of investigating complaints has been smooth and promising." The court said at yesterday's hearing that it had gained enough information from witnesses to give a verdict but will allow seven days for parties to file an objection, the Nikkei Asian Review reports, citing local media. If there is no objection, the court will decide on 14 September whether to approve the rehabilitation. If the court approves the airline for business rehabilitation at that hearing, Thai Airways' legal execution department will notify all creditors about the registration procedure for submitting debt settlement requests. It will also invite creditors to hear details about the rehabilitation plan.

Source: Cirium

Lufthansa Group is strengthening its rules on the use of onboard face masks by only exempting passengers from wearing them if they provide a medical certificate explaining their reasons and a recent negative Covid-19 test result. Face coverings have been compulsory on all flights operated by Lufthansa Group carriers since the beginning of May. While exceptions were previously made for passengers who presented a medical exemption certificate, from 1 September these passengers must also present a negative Covid-19 test result taken up to 48 hours before their flight.
"The new rules on the compulsory wearing of masks now ensure even better protection for all passengers," states Lufthansa. The airline group says it will inform passengers about the new requirement through its carriers' websites and social media channels as well as via email and SMS, in order to "give customers the opportunity to adapt to the changed rules in good time".

Source: Cirium

More than 10 unsolicited approaches expressing interest in South African Airways have been received from potential investors and partners. The South African government’s department of public enterprises states that the approaches concern SAA and its subsidiaries Mango Airlines, SAA Technical, and catering arm Air Chefs. “We have been busy assessing the interests from several unsolicited local and international strategic equity partners,” the department says. SAA underwent a prolonged business rescue program which resulted in a strategic plan for the company being approved by creditors in mid-July. The department claims it has been working “around the clock” to finalise the rescue process after stating, earlier in August, that all the conditions for implementation had been met. It says it believes investments in the airline and its subsidiaries will “help support key economic sectors, including tourism” and “solidify” the country as a gateway to international markets. SAA is being overhauled in four phases, it adds. Some 1,000 personnel will be retained for the restructured company, with another 1,000 placed on a social plan for integration as the airline expands. The remaining staff will be granted a voluntary severance package. A smaller board – with members including a chief risk officer, chief operating officer, and chief information officer – is being appointed. The process of raising funds and investment in the new carrier will be assisted by a transaction adviser, which the government has already identified. This adviser will also assess the unsolicited expressions of interest from private sector investors and partners. The department says it had received more than 10 such unsolicited approaches by the beginning of this month. Creation of a revamped SAA, the fourth phase, will result in an airline in which the department will maintain “a certain level of presence in the ownership”, it says. Operating a modern fleet with various density options, it adds, the carrier will have a network structure based on the “right routes, at the right times, and at competitive prices” – one which ensures high aircraft utilisation and connectivity through hubs.

Source: Cirium