Under pressure, Air Namibia has been cleared by the Namibian High Court to resume services after its operating licence was suspended amid continued financial concerns. The airline had been blocked from operating scheduled flights after Namibia’s transport commission suspended the carrier’s air services licence, as of midnight, on 8 July. The Namibian, citing a memo issued by the transport commission, said the airline had been given until 22 July to provide evidence it had obtained funding to meet the requirements of the country’s air services act. But in a statement issued today, the carrier says “the suspension of AIr Namibia’s service licences has been upended” by the High Court. “Air Namibia shall continue to fly all domestic flights as per the published schedule,” the airline adds. The carrier’s regional and international services remain suspended amid continued border controls related to tackling the coronavirus pandemic. Last month Namibian president Hage Geingob cast doubt about the future of the loss-making airline by suggesting it may need to be liquidated. “We have a very serious problem with Air Namibia,” he said, answering questions after delivering his state-of-the-nation speech on 4 June. Geingob said the airline has been “bailed out”, but indicated that recommended measures to cut routes – such as the key Frankfurt service – would not be welcomed. “But it must be restructured,” he says. “If liquidation is the thing, we must do that.” Namibian finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi was earlier this month reported to have told parliament that the government was considering several options for the carrier. Air Namibia operates a small fleet including Airbus A330's and A319's, plus Embraer regional jets.

Source: Cirium

The Canadian aerospace industry is appealing for federal aid after the Canadian government released an economic stabilisation plan that makes no mention of the aerospace sector. The plan, released 8 July, reviews the country’s strategy for dealing with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. The plan notes Canada has committed more than C$212 billion ($156 billion) in direct support to citizens and businesses, and made C$600 billion available to help businesses access credit. But the country’s aerospace sector says the plan falls short and fails to recognize the strategic and economic importance of the sector to the country. The industry is asking for additional, industry-targeted aid, warning that without such support Canada’s aerospace industry could lose its competitive edge. “We are advocating the urgent need for a specific strategy dedicated to our sector that will accelerate the recovery, while emphasising that this cannot be achieved without the help of the federal government,” Aero Montreal president Suzanne Benoit says on 9 July. The government’s economic plan “makes no reference whatsoever to measures that would allow the aerospace industry to emerge from this crisis,” adds Aero Montreal. National trade group Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) made a similar plea. “While our major competitor countries have implemented sector specific plans and recovery measures, Canada has resisted,” the group says. “If the government partners with our industry, recognising the strategic importance we bring to the table… we will be in a position to help Canada overcome its massive deficit.” “There are real consequences for Canada’s lack of action,” AIAC adds, noting Canada’s aerospace industry employs more than 215,000 workers and contributes some C$25 billion in annual GDP. Reached for comment, AIAC did not provide details about the specific government aid it seeks. Aero Montreal, which represents the industry in Quebec – home to Bombardier, an Airbus facility and a swath of suppliers – did not respond to a request for details. AIAC cites France and the USA as countries whose governments have recently supported aerospace with financial aid packages.

Source: Cirium

Air Mauritius has put three Airbus widebodies and two single-aisle aircraft up for sale, weeks after entering voluntary administration amid the Covid-19 crisis. In a procurement notice on its website, the airline says it is selling two A340-300s (MSNs 194 and 268), one A330-200 (MSN 1057) and two A319s (MSNs 1592 and 1936). The A340s were built in 1997 and 1999, while the A330 is a 2009 example. The narrow bodies were manufactured in 2001 and 2003. The closing date for interested parties is 11 August. Air Mauritius took delivery of its first Airbus A330-900 last year, and now operates two of the aircraft along with A350s, A340s and the older A330s, as well as the two Airbus narrow bodies and three ATR turboprops.

Source: Cirium