South African Airways (SAA) says that two Airbus A320s that were previously in storage are returning to service as part of the relaunch of its fleet. The carrier says the two narrowbodies arrived at OR Tambo International airport on 12 August, after being stored in Abu Dhabi. They have completed six-year maintenance C-Checks in Abu Dhabi during SAA's time in business rescue. Interim chief executive Thomas Kgokolo says: "This is another noteworthy milestone towards full operational readiness. The image of two SAA aircraft landing and taxiing to their parking bays is a tangible manifestation of the hard work the airline’s staff are putting in." Data shows that the Johannesburg-based carrier has two A320s still on lease from Goshawk. SAA has been making steps towards resuming operations after securing new investors. Earlier this month it received its renewed operating license from the South African Civil Aviation Authority. Gideon Novak has joined forces with South African investment fund Harith General Partners to take a 51% stake in SAA, with the government retaining 49%.

Australia’s Regional Express will stand down about 500 frontline workers due to extended lockdowns and border closures arising from the pandemic. "These staffing adjustments will take effect from 16 August and remain until 12 September in the first instance. We will monitor the situation closely and react as necessary," deputy chairman John Sharp says in a 14 August statement. Rex has agreed for its flight attendants to share the remaining available work, it says. The move follows the operator’s decision to continue temporary schedule reductions until 12 September. Roles affected include pilots, cabin crew, engineers, airport workers, call centre, ground and head office operational staff. The company says it consulted with unions and staff and explained why such action was necessary to protect both the business and the long-term job security of all employees. Sharp states: "This arrangement for our flight attendants is a great example of a pragmatic and unified approach as we grapple with the devastating consequences of lockdowns and border closures which have ravaged the entire aviation industry." He adds that all eligible full-time staff stood down will receive income support under the government's Retaining Domestic Airline Capability (RDAC) assistance if they are not eligible for Australia's Covid-19 Disaster Payment scheme. RDAC is intended to help airlines retain essential aviation sector skills and knowledge so that they can quickly increase capacity as border restrictions ease, according to a factsheet by the government. Covid-19 Disaster Payment is a lump-sum, support payment for workers adversely affected by a state public health order.

JetBlue Airways has started operating its first transatlantic service between New York-JFK and London Heathrow. The US low-cost airline says the route will be served daily in August and four times weekly in September with Airbus A321LRs. Flights between JFK and London Gatwick are scheduled to begin on 29 September. A service from Boston to the UK capital is set to follow during summer 2022. JetBlue says it will offsett carbon dioxide emissions from all its flights to and from London throughout the year, in collaboration with long-time partner Carbonfund.org.