The Federal Aviation Administration confirms it has approved the start of Boeing 737 Max certification flights, clearing the way for that phase of the certification process to begin as early as 29 June. It defers further comment to Boeing. The Chicago-based airframer declines to comment about the FAA’s approval, saying it is letting the agency take the lead. “We continue to work diligently on safely returning the 737 Max to commercial service. We defer to the FAA and global regulators on the certification process,” Boeing says. Bloomberg reports that the FAA emailed Congressional staffers on 28 June saying the agency’s Type Inspection Authorization Board “has completed its review, clearing the way for flight certification testing to begin”. Boeing has said the flights could take place over several days. Certification flights are among the final step prior to the FAA issuing an airworthiness directive (AD) lifting the grounding. The AD will specify measures operators must take before returning the jets to revenue service. Boeing has said it expects the AD will come in time to permit it to resume 737 Max deliveries in the third quarter of the year. Other steps the FAA must complete prior to certification include issuance of a pilot training assessment by a Joint Operations Evaluation Board (JOEB). That panel is composed of regulators from the FAA and other countries, and pilots.
The FAA’s Flight Standardization Board must then review the JOEB’s report and issue pilot training requirements.

Source: Cirium

Bain Capital has won the bid for Virgin Australia and is working with the airline's administrators to close the sale, which is "subject to minimal conditions precedent" The final shortlist, announced on 2 June, comprised of US private investment firm Bain and the Richard Branson-linked Cyrus Capital Partners, a New York-based investment advisory firm. Administrator Deloitte said today in a disclosure to the Australian Securities Exchange it received binding proposals from both parties on 22 June, as well as several proposals from other interested parties this week. One of them, received on 24 June, was "from the representatives of an ad hoc group of bondholders of the Virgin Australia Group". Deloitte says: "Having considered those bids, the administrators are pleased to confirm they have now entered into a sale and implementation deed with Bain Capital which will result in the sale and recapitalisation of the businesses of [Virgin Australia Holdings] and its subsidiaries (VAH Group). "The sale and implementation deed is subject to minimal conditions precedent such as regulatory approvals. Approval by the Australian Treasurer pursuant to the Australian Foreign Investment Review laws has already been received by Bain Capital." Virgin Australia will also hold its second creditors' meeting before the end of August. Deloitte says in the same statement: "The report to creditors will detail the estimated return to creditors and will provide further details with respect to the steps to be taken to complete the sale of the VAH Group."

Source: Cirium

Major US airlines have promised to refund the cost of tickets for passengers denied boarding because of elevated temperatures, which could be a symptom of coronavirus. The announcement by trade organisation Airlines for America (A4A) on 25 June comes as carriers are desperately trying to win back the confidence of the travelling public as the global pandemic wears on. A4A represents 11 major US passenger and cargo carriers. Industry critics say airlines have been slow to implement recommendations by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and have introduced a patchwork of measures rather than a uniform code to keep crew and passengers safe through the crisis. They have also been criticised for not promptly offering refunds to customers when a flight is cancelled, or a travel itinerary is interrupted for coronavirus-related reasons. The airline trade group reiterated its call on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to begin conducting temperature screenings at the more than 450 airports it services as long as is necessary during the public health crisis. “Temperature checks are one of several public health measures recommended by the CDC amid the Covid-19 pandemic and will add an extra layer of protection for passengers as well as airline and airport employees,” the industry organisation writes. “Temperature checks also will provide additional public confidence that is critical to relaunching air travel and our nation’s economy.” The FAA has not mandated industry-wide standards related to aircraft sanitation, or how passengers should protect themselves and others while travelling by air. That said, many airlines and airports across the US have mandated face-coverings for passengers. Last week, most airlines strengthened their anti-coronavirus response by announcing sanctions against passengers who refuse to wear face coverings. Some have also introduced health questionnaires and their own temperature checks, and extended the time frame during which they will keep middle seats open to allow passengers more personal space. The TSA says it screened more than 494,000 passengers on 24 June, down from more than 2.5 million on the same day in 2019.

Source: Cirium