December 1st 2021

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December

In a year dominated by Delta, the major headache this month for airlines was assessing the impact the COVID-19 Omicron variant would have on air travel. Read More »

Airlines suddenly were confronted with swift actions on restricting travel from several governments. For example, at press time, Japan had banned all foreign arrivals from entering the country, although it later modified the restrictions, while India pushed back a proposed December 1 resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger flights. Australia postponed relaxation of travel restrictions with Japan and South Korea and many countries extended the time required for air travellers to quarantine.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) criticised these categories of government responses, arguing they went against World Health Organisation (WHO) advice.

“Unfortunately, government responses to the emergence of the Omicron variant are putting at risk the global connectivity it has taken so long to rebuild,” IATA director-general, Willie Walsh said. “The ill-advised travel bans are as ineffective as closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.”

While some countries were increasing travel restrictions, Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) program continued to expand, with the city state opening to fully vaccinated residents of six more countries. The latest additions to the list increased countries that have VTL arrangements with Singapore to 27. Figures from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) showed these 27 countries accounted for 60% of daily arrivals at Changi Airport before the onset of the pandemic.

There was good news for Boeing early in the month when the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) cleared the 737 MAX to return to service 33 months after the aircraft type was grounded worldwide due to two fatal crashes of the type. A CAAC airworthiness directive said Boeing’s design changes, revised pilot training courses and updated operational manuals had addressed safety concerns about the MAX.

In an ideal world, Boeing should have ended 2021 cheering the entry into service of its new 777-9X aircraft. However, the program has been struck by delays and still is in flight tests. Certification of the next aircraft is not expected until 2023, with deliveries commencing in 2024 - so next year is shaping up as an important 12 months for the 777-X program. Boeing showed off one 777-9X flight test aircraft at the November airshow in Dubai.

The closing days of 2021 also marked the end of the line for the A380 program as reports indicated the final delivery of the much loved double-decker will take place this month. Emirates Airline is scheduled to receive the aircraft.

Elsewhere, the financial accounts for Virgin Australia revealed the airline had an underlying loss of A$76.8 million (US$55 million) for the 12 months to June 30. The airline entered voluntary administration in April 2020 and the takeover by Bain Capital was finalised in November that year.