From the Control Tower
A fresh beginning
TSA checkpoint numbers are increasing. Borders across Europe are opening and airlines are returning to the skies. Is this the beginning of an industry renaissance? Can the growth hold and the pandemic remain subdued? (Is it really subdued at all??)?
A solid mix of positive news, and a couple concerning bits, make up this week's top news highlights.
PaxExTRA by PaxEx.Aero
Connectivity
Delta seeks Gogo alternatives as it renegotiates connectivity contract
Has North America truly run out of Ku-band capacity? That's one of the arguments being made by Delta Air Lines as it renegotiated its inflight connectivity contract with Gogo. The company announced the new deal this week, and the potential market shift is massive.
paxex.aero
Cabin Design
GermFalcon to take flight as Honeywell UV Cabin System
After a few years of solo development work Dimer's GermFalcon relaunched this week as the Honeywell UV Cabin System. The new name is super boring, but the ability to quickly clean a plane with UV-C light remains key for the product positioning.
The post GermFalcon to take flight as Honeywell UV Cabin System appeared first on PaxEx.Aero .
paxex.aero
Loyalty
United plans $5 billion loan against MileagePlus
United Airlines will secure an additional $5 billion in funding by taking a loan against the MileagePlus loyalty program. The company announced the plans Monday morning as part of an update to its liquidity position. With the loan, and other CARES Act funds, the company anticipates approximately $17 billion in liquidity by September 2020.
paxex.aero
Other Industry News
Allegiant driving passenger traffic recovery
Total air traffic numbers are down in Spring 2020. There is no doubt this is true. But some airports are suffering more than others. An examination of TSA Screening Throughput data shows the impact with greater detail, bringing some interesting patterns to light. And one airline, in particular, is shifting the balance of traffic across the USA.
paxex.aero
China Express Air to buy 100 of COMAC's Chinese made planes
Chinese airlines have a pretty strong recent history of supporting local aircraft manufacturers with orders. That trend continues with a 100-plane deal for COMAC, with deliveries expected as soon as this year.
reuters.com
Austria to implement minimum fares, short flight surcharges
Prices flying in and out of Austria are set to rise. And at least one airline is happy with the news, though expect lawsuits aplenty before the matter is fully settled.
paxex.aero
China Eastern launches new Hainan-based carrier
Launching a new airline right now is either genius or crazy. And perhaps a bit of both. But that's what appears to be happening in Hainan, China. Perhaps this is the final nail in the HNA Group's aviation run??
flightglobal.com