Pakistan’s prime minister, Imran Khan, has expressed shock after an aircraft operated by flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines crashed in a built-up area of Karachi. Khan says that PIA chief Arshad Malik is heading for the city following the accident involving an Airbus A320 arriving from Lahore. “An immediate inquiry will be instituted,” says Khan. Television station Geo News reports that the flight involved is PK8303 and that the aircraft came down in a populated area. It adds that 98 occupants were on board, comprising 91 passengers and seven crew members. Social media images show a chaotic scene with extensive damage to several buildings, black smoke, and rescue vehicles working their way through crowds on the streets. Pakistan Army Aviation Corps helicopters have been dispatched for “damage assessment and rescue efforts”, according to the Pakistan armed forces spokesman, along with urban search teams. The spokesman says troops and civil administration personnel have reached the area for relief work. Circumstances of the accident are unclear. Meteorological data from Karachi airport indicate good visibility and no adverse weather conditions.

Source: Cirium

Air France has decided to not return its Airbus A380s to service, accelerating a previous retirement plan for the type because of the coronavirus crisis. The move disclosed today represents a "definitive end" of Air France's A380 operations, the airline says that it took the decision based on "anticipated activity levels" in the wake of the pandemic. Air France has nine remaining A380s – all are currently parked – having earlier this year retired one jet of the type. Under a previous timetable disclosed last year, the airline was set to phase out the A380 by the end of 2022. The retirement of the A380 fleet is part of a plan to operate "more modern, high-performance aircraft" which will make Air France's fleet "more competitive", it says. Air France has introduced A350's and Boeing 787's to its fleet, and has further aircraft of these types on order. The carrier's long-haul operation additionally includes 777's, A330 and A340's, though the A340's are likewise set to be phased out. The airline estimates it will incur €500 million ($540 million) in write-down costs because of the accelerated A380 retirement, and says it will book the loss during the second quarter as non-current expenses. Air France says it owns five of its A380's while the remaining four are leased. Cirium fleets data lists DS Aviation and ALM among the managers of Air France A380's.

Source: Cirium

South Africa’s government has provisionally set aside R3.8 billion ($212 million) for troubled flag-carrier South African Airways and another R164 million for SA Express in the current fiscal year. Department of public enterprises deputy director general Kgathatso Tlhakudi gave the figure during a 20 May presentation before the parliamentary portfolio committee on public enterprises. Tlhakudi pointed out that the budget allocated by the treasury is “under strain” owing to “unplanned spending” to cope with the coronavirus crisis, and that it “will look different in a couple of weeks”. But he highlighted a transfer of R37 billion to state-owned enterprises this year, with the vast majority to electricity utility firm Eskom. The figures also included R3.8 billion to South African Airways in 2020-21, part of a R9.9 billion sum set aside for the medium term. SAA’s allocation includes R4.3 billion for 2021-22 and R1.77 billion for 2022-23. The flag-carrier has been undergoing a business rescue process since December last year, and public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan has been hoping to create a new, more sustainable airline from SAA. Tlhakudi also mentioned that R164 million had been put aside for regional operator SA Express – which is facing liquidation – mainly to cover liabilities emanating from the early return of leased aircraft.

Source: Cirium