Plans to convert Chile's regional airport Valdivia into an international point of entry will go ahead despite the coronavirus pandemic's impact on global traffic and air travel demand. As the health crisis halts air traffic around the world, Chile is pressing ahead with its plan to privatise the last six commercial airports still operated by the government, Chile's ministry of public works indicates. Valdivia, in the south of the nation, is the first of the six that will undergo the privitisation process, expected to begin in 2021. The remaining five airports are Balmaceda, Castro, Osorno, Pucón and Viña del Mar. While the $10 million investment in Valdivia's pre-privatisation terminal expansion and modernisation is relatively modest, it is part of a major state-funded airport system revamp. Through 2022, Chile will invest $1.4 billion in the modernization of all its major 17 commercial airports, including the 11 already privatised terminals, many of which are facing renewals of their respective concession contracts. Valdivia’s conversion into an international airport is the result of traffic growth at two low-cost airlines Sky Airline and Jetsmart, both of which have developed both national and international routes that bypass the Santiago hub. The passenger traffic at Chile’s network of airports has grown over the last decade at a yearly average of about 10%, reporting a total of 41 million passengers in 2019.

Source: Cirium

Qantas and Virgin Australia will operate additional routes within Australia after the federal government agreed to underwrite a minimal domestic service during the coronavirus pandemic. The support, for an initial eight-week period and worth up to A$165 million ($105 million), was announced on 16 April by deputy prime minister and transport minister Michael McCormack. The assistance covers routes including all state and territory capital cities and major regional centres. It comes on top of relief packages for the country’s aviation industry that have already been announced, worth over A$1 billion in total. "We know that a strong domestic aviation network is critical to Australia’s success and today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment, yet again, to maintaining connectivity during this pandemic," McCormack said in a statement. Qantas and subsidiary Jetstar will therefore increase the number of passenger flights operated from 105 to 164 flights a week. The mainline carrier is currently operating only a small number of international passenger and freight flights. The new flights start on 17 April. The airline says, "While travel restrictions mean most passenger flights are not commercially viable at the moment, there remains a need for some essential travel – particularly given the distances between most Australian cities." It adds, "These flights will also provide critical freight capacity, which has fallen significantly as commercial air networks have shrunk. Much of the bellyspace on these flights will be used for mail and other urgent shipments, including medical equipment." Distancing measures will be in place on flights and crew will wear personal protective equipment, Qantas says. Compatriot Virgin Australia had halted all flying except for a Sydney-Melbourne route, plus some repatriation and charter flights. It says it will now open up 64 return services each week, with services starting on 17 April. “The minimal domestic schedule will enable Virgin Australia to reinstate some of its stood down flight, cabin and ground crew, along with other operational team members,” it adds. Virgin Australia’s shares are currently suspended from trading while it discusses financing and restructuring options. It has requested a A$1.4 billion bailout from the government.

Source: Cirium

Sydney airport will temporarily close its east-west runway and use the space to park planes grounded during the coronavirus pandemic. The move, effective 22 April, was approved by the federal government today. "This doubles the number of aircraft that can be parked at Sydney Airport, with the east-west runway able to accommodate up to 50 aircraft,” deputy prime minister Michael McCormack says in a statement. Airports across the world have turned into parking lots for the global fleet grounded by travel restrictions around Covid-19 outbreak, which have decimated air travel. Brisbane airport has also decommissioned a runway early to use as parking space for planes, as part of measures to provide free parking for up to 100 planes. Using runways as parking areas leaves stands at the terminal areas free for other flights, such as those carrying freight, medical equipment or essential workers. McCormack says Sydney airport is monitoring the situation closely and aims to return the east-west runway to normal operations as soon as all aircraft can be accommodated on normal parking bays. Sydney Airport's chief executive Geoff Culbert, “Sydney Airport appreciates the deputy prime minister’s support and flexibility. This measure will ensure we can continue to help our airline partners with aircraft parking whilst keeping the airport operational for vital cargo flights and the movement of essential workers.” Sydney's main runway, the north-south 16R/34L, and the parallel 16L/34R remain open.

Source: Cirium