Aviation

Bloomberg US aviation regulators downgraded the safety ranking of Pakistan’s civilian airline system in the latest action following revelations that hundreds of commercial pilots received faked licenses. The Federal Aviation Administration’s action adds another hurdle to Pakistan International Airlines Corp’s ability to operate into the US, effectively blocking any carrier from that country from adding flights. The US Transportation Department …

Bloomberg Portugal’s decision to oust the chief executive officer of TAP after a rescue of the nation’s leading airline has created an urgent vacancy to fill at a time when a broad overhaul is needed. As the government agreed to boost its holding in loss-making TAP to 72.5% on July 2, it simultaneously ended the tenure of Antonoaldo Neves after …

Bloomberg Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd’s shareholders approved a plan to raise HK$39 billion ($5 billion) in a government-backed rescue that includes the sale of preference shares and a rights issue. All resolutions put to vote were approved, the airline said in a statement following an extraordinary general meeting in Hong Kong on Monday. When the recapitalisation plan was announced last …

Bloomberg Airbus SE failed to secure any aircraft orders for a third month this year, as the collapse in global air travel battered demand for new jetliners. The European planemaker attracted zero purchases in June, according to a company statement. The manufacturer suffered one cancellation, a spokesman confirmed, bringing total net orders to 298 aircraft so far this year. The …

Bloomberg Breeze Aviation Group Inc, a startup airline planned by JetBlue founder David Neeleman, is seeking to buy a defunct carrier’s operating certificate with an aim toward starting service in October. Breeze plans to start charter flights October 15, according to a regulatory filing. If regulators approve, Breeze plans to begin scheduled service next May. It will base charter operations …

Bloomberg Pakistan’s national airline has been barred from flying to the US as a result of a scandal in which almost one-third of the nation’s pilots were found to have faked certifications. The US Transportation Department notified Pakistan International Airlines Corp.’s lawyers in Washington that its authorisation to operate to U.S. destinations was being immediately suspended. The department released a …

Bloomberg JetBlue Airways Corp will make Los Angeles International its primary base in Southern California, abandoning Long Beach Airport after years of tension. Daily flights will double to 70 by 2025 as part of a five-year expansion plan at Los Angeles International, or LAX, the airline said in a statement. The carrier will add domestic and international flights as it …

Bloomberg An Iranian air defense unit that “forgot” to adjust its radar system triggered a chain of communication and human errors that led to the deadly downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet in January, according to a report from Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization (CAO). Iran said it mistakenly shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 shortly after take-off, killing all …

Bloomberg Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd is closing in on a 400 million-pound ($504 million) rescue led by Davidson Kempner Capital Management after the US hedge fund offered more favorable terms than other potential backers, people familiar with the matter said. Davidson Kempner has offered funding conditions that an alliance of Elliott Management Corp and UK investment firm Greybull Capital declined …

Bloomberg Boris Johnson is under pressure to strip IAG SA’s British Airways of valuable landing slots at UK airports amid concern about the airline’s plan to cut 12,000 jobs, according to a report in the Daily Mail. More than 100 British members of parliament from various political parties are asking the prime minister to reconsider BA’s right to slots at …