Bloomberg Europe’s airlines will struggle more than competitors elsewhere to end losses next year as they’re held back by higher expenses and their dependence on overseas routes, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The region’s carriers should achieve seat-occupancy levels averaging 63.8% for the whole of 2020, increasing to 65.6% in 2021. That’s still below the projected break-even …

Bloomberg Francesca’s Holdings Corp is preparing to file for bankruptcy, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The boutique-style women’s clothing chain could file as soon as next week, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the process isn’t public. The plan could still change. Representatives for Francesca’s didn’t respond to multiple phone and email requests …

Bloomberg The coronavirus pandemic and its devastating impact on global aviation and economic growth isn’t swaying Megawide Construction Corp from its 109 billion peso ($2.3 billion) plan to upgrade Manila’s airport, the main gateway to the Philippines. The company proposed a 10-year plan to double annual capacity at the aging and overcrowded Ninoy Aquino International Airport to 65 million passengers, …

Bloomberg Volkswagen AG is accelerating development of a compact electric car that will cost less than 30,000 euros ($35,800) as tightening emissions rules and generous subsidies bolster sales of battery-powered vehicles, according to people familiar with the matter. The VW-branded car may be introduced as early as 2023, flanking the ID.5 crossover to be sold from next year as well …

Bloomberg Foxconn Technology Group will move the manufacturing of some Apple Inc iPads and MacBooks to Vietnam from China, a person familiar with the matter said, as the company aims to mitigate the risk that a trade war with the US could continue after US President Donald Trump leaves the White House. The person asked not to be identified because …

Bloomberg The UK government approved plans for a separate regulatory program for companies including Facebook Inc and Google, saying the new competition unit would be given powers to impose fines to rein in the dominance of the largest tech companies. The Digital Markets Unit will be housed inside the antitrust regulator from April, with powers to enforce a new code …

Bloomberg Facebook Inc will be making payouts to only about a quarter of the 6 million Illinois residents eligible for the biggest consumer privacy settlement in US history. Based on a tally filed in court after claims deadline, some 1.57 million people will probably pocket more than $300 each — after about a third of the $650 million settlement fund …

ABU DHABI / WAM Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, and Yousef Mohammed Ali, Director of the President’s Office and Acting Minister of Defence of the Union of the Comoros, on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), via video conferencing, on joint cooperation in the defence and military fields. Al Bawardi said that the …

Bloomberg Nigeria’s efforts to revamp its aging refineries may be bogged down due to a lack of resources, but Africa’s top oil producer is moving ahead with mini-plants in an effort to help end its dependency on fuel imports. The country’s first modular refinery, built by independent producer Waltersmith Petroman Oil Ltd, began operations in the southeastern Imo state earlier …

Bloomberg Tokyo Gas Co plans to develop one of Japan’s largest offshore wind projects as the nation looks to a major expansion of the technology to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The 600-megawatt facility — about 30 times larger than the nation’s existing capacity — is planned to be built off the coast of Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, if …