British Airways is temporarily suspending change fees in a bid to counter the coronavirus outbreak's impact on demand.
The airline says in a newly launched campaign: "Flexibility is everything during uncertain times and we're passionate about offering as much freedom as possible." Passengers can "book with confidence as our policy applies right up until departure... without having to pay the normal change fee", BA adds. The initiative applies to bookings made from today until 16 March for flights over the next 12 months. Included in the "zero change fee" campaign are package flight deals with combined hotel and rental car bookings, the airline specifies. Multiple airlines, including BA parent IAG, have implemented cost-saving measures and reduced capacity as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Source: Cirium

Thai Airways sold six widebodies last year as part of its strategy to “continuingly sell decommissioned aircraft”. The flag carrier says in a stock exchange filing that it disposed of five Airbus A330-300s and one Boeing 747-400 in 2019. It did not disclose the names of the buyers. Cirium fleets data indicates that Thai Airways still has eight 747-400s in service, as well as 15 A330-300s. In 2019, Thai’s losses widened by Bt3.4 billion ($109 million) to Bt12.4 billion in 2019, as revenues fell despite increased passenger numbers. Among the factors the carrier cited were the civil unrest in Hong Kong, suspension of its Pakistan services due to airspace closure, strong competition from low-cost and Middle Eastern operators, and impact from the USA-China trade war.

Source: Cirium

Central European budget carrier Wizz Air has reached a firm agreement to establish a new operator in Abu Dhabi, which will commence services in autumn this year.

The airline is tying up with Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company to set up the Middle Eastern operation.

It states that it has commenced the process of obtaining an air operator’s certificate and licence from the United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority.

Wizz Air describes the definitive agreement as a “major milestone”, adding that Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will bring “low fares paired with a high-quality on-board experience”.

It has yet to unveil its network but promises a range of routes to destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa.

The airline adds that it is to embark on a recruitment programme for the carrier over the next few months.

Wizz Air is an exclusive Airbus A320-family operator but has still to outline fleet plans for the Abu Dhabi operation.

“[Our] mission feeds into Abu Dhabi’s diversified economic strategy as we aim to stimulate traffic by creating demand to the benefit of growing Abu Dhabi’s touristic and economic diversity,” says Wizz Air Holdings chief Jozsef Varadi.

Wizz Air adds that the decision aligns with a Dhs50 billion ($13.5 billion) accelerator programme in the emirate, known as Ghadan 21.

Source: Cirium