Jet Airways, the Indian carrier that suspended operations last year amid financial difficulties, has launched a fourth search for a buyer. A document on the Mumbai-based carrier's website, a version of which was also published in various Indian newspapers, sets a deadline of 28 May 2020 for expressions of interest. Jet Airways will then publish a final list of prospective resolution applicants on 10 June 2020. It estimates that these will then be submitted to an "adjudicating authority" around 23 July 2020. Separately, the airline said in a 13 May stock exchange disclosure that its plan to sell its business in the Netherlands to Dutch carrier KLM has failed to receive regulatory approval. Airport Coordination Netherlands, an airport slot coordinator, on 11 May denied approval for the deal. Jet Airways started operations on 5 May 1993 as an air taxi operator with a fleet of four leased Boeing 737-300s, and in January 1995 was granted scheduled airline status, the airline says. It made its first international flight from Chennai to Colombo in March 2004, before being listed on Indian exchanges in February 2005. Due to financial distress and an inability to service scheduled debt obligations, it was forced to suspend operations on 17 April 2019.

Source: Cirium

British Airways’ CityFlyer division is looking at ending its Edinburgh-based operations and cutting 72 pilots as part of cutbacks being introduced in response to the coronavirus crisis.

CityFlyer primarily operates out of London City and Edinburgh, using a fleet of Embraer 190s and 170s.

The airline has formally notified cockpit union BALPA that 72 potential pilot redundancies out of 248 are being proposed during CityFlyer’s re-organisation.

Most of these would take place at the Edinburgh base.

“In addition [CityFlyer] warned that its whole future remained uncertain as British Airways, its parent company, was still reviewing its own future,” says the union.

BALPA adds that it will “fight for every job” in CityFlyer at London City and Edinburgh. General secretary Brian Strutton described the proposed cuts as “yet more shocking and devastating news”.

British Airways parent IAG’s chief executive, Willie Walsh, told a UK parliamentary transport committee on 11 May that London City had been facing particular difficulties during the crisis. The downtown airport shut to all commercial operations on 25 March and remains closed. “I think [the shutdown] clearly points to the specific customer segment that supports London City,” Walsh told the committee. “And I think that airport is one that will be challenged greatly as we go through this, and as we come out of this.” He would not be drawn at the time on the future of BA’s London City operation, stating only that this would form part of a consultation with elected workers’ representatives. Walsh told the committee that he felt BA still had prospects at London Gatwick, despite reducing flight activity at the airport. The airline had previously indicated that it would place Boeing 737 Max jets at Gatwick following an initial agreement to acquire 200 of the type – but the order has yet to be firmed and, given the crisis, its future is unclear. “I do see a future for BA at Gatwick,” said Walsh. “I like Gatwick. It think Gatwick is a better airport than Heathrow in many ways. “I think it’s better run. I think the management team are more commercial. I think the customer base is one that we’d want to serve. The challenge we face at the moment is that we’ve had to do what is right, in the environment that exists. “But I’d like to think that BA will be operating at Gatwick in the future.”

Source: Cirium

Avianca says initial motions in the proceedings for reorganisation under its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing have been approved by the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, allowing it to pay employees and creditors and maintain some operations. The Bogota-based airline voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this week following the “unpredictable impact” of the coronavirus crisis on its operations. “We are very pleased with the prompt approval by the court of our “first day” motions related to employees, customers, travel agency partners and suppliers, among others,” Avianca chief executive Anko van der Werff said on 12 May. “This was an important and positive step forward in our reorganisation and supports Avianca continuing to operate through this process.” Van der Werff adds that the process is a “responsible way” to protect and preserve the 100-year-old company as it navigates the coronavirus’ impact on the airline, tourism and air transport industry. Prior to the crisis, the Colombian carrier was implementing an ambitious new strategic restructuring plan called “Avianca 2021”, following the bankruptcy of Avianca Brazil and after a several management changes last year. The court approved several motions that allow Avianca to pay wages, compensation and benefits, maintain customer service programmes and honor obligations to travel agencies, vendors and suppliers. On 10 May, Avianca voluntarily filed for bankruptcy in order to restructure its balance sheet and obligations and to manage aircraft orders, leases and other responsibilities. In court documents, Avianca said 14 jets on lease from AerCap, GECAS, GOAL, Orix Aviation were “excess aircraft” and no longer required under the airline’s business plan. The airline says its next court date will be 11 June 2020.

Source: Cirium