The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said yesterday it was lifting border restrictions for visitors from Australia, except those from the state of Victoria, and Vietnam. In a scheme similar to arrangements announced in August for travellers from Brunei and New Zealand, visitors arriving in Singapore from Australia and Vietnam must undergo a COVID-19 test at Changi airport at a cost of S$300 (US$220) and self-isolate at their accommodation until their results are known, the CAAS said. Singaporeans also will be permitted to enter Australia, except Victoria, and Vietnam. Read More »
Hawaiian Airlines overnight announced it would resume nonstop passenger flights between Honolulu and Tokyo Narita from October 1 (U.S. time), ending a six-month suspension of the route due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hawaiian, which has been operating cargo-only flights between the two cities since June, said the once-weekly passenger service would support essential travel between its Honolulu hub and Tokyo.
Cathay Pacific Group's LCC, HK Express, has scheduled three 90-minute scenic flights over Hong Kong in November. "The new 1.5-hour #UOFlycation flight experience will encircle our beautiful city while showcasing the many preventive measures the airline has introduced to keep travellers safe and healthy," HK Express said in a statement. The flights have been set down for November 1, 7 and 8, with tickets not yet on sale. Several other carriers in the region are offering “flights to nowhere” and they are proving very popular.
China Development Bank Financial Leasing Company (CDB) said yesterday its aviation leasing arm, CDB Aviation Lease Finance DAC, has signed a purchase-and-leaseback agreement with Canada-based WestJet for nine 737-MAX 8s. The aircraft are due for delivery by November 2020, CDB said in a regulatory filing to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong yesterday.
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) administrator, Steve Dickson, has completed a flight on board the 737 MAX. "I want to make it clear my flight was separate from the official certification process that is still underway by the FAA," Dickson told reporters in Seattle overnight following the two-hour flight on a 737 MAX 7. The journey included a number of scenarios to demonstrate the proposed software and design changes to the aircraft’s automated flight control system following two fatal crashes that left 346 people dead. "It was important to me to experience the training and the handling of the aircraft first-hand, so I can have the most complete understanding possible as we continue to move forward with the process," Dickson said.
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation has expanded its air travel bubble scheme to 15 countries with the addition of Bhutan and Kenya. Minister for Civil Aviation, Hardeep Singh Puri, said the move was to boost India's bilateral international air connectivity. "Indian carriers will be able to operate to these countries. Carriers of these countries will be able to fly to India," the minister said on Twitter, referring to Bhutan and Kenya.
In a circular posted on Twitter today, the country's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said restrictions on scheduled international flights would be extended until October 31. In keeping with the previous extension, they will not apply to all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA. The regulator added some international flights would be operated on selected routes by the competent authority on a case to case basis.
The U.S. StateDepartment said overnight it had signed an open skies agreement with Bangladesh. "It includes unrestricted capacity and frequency of services, open route rights, a liberal charter regime and open code-sharing opportunities," the department said in a statement. It is effective immediately. The agreement will allow nonstop flights between Bangladesh and the U.S. for the first time.
