Virgin Atlantic Airways will cease operations – at least temporarily – on its Mumbai-London service from May as the economic crunch continues to takeits toll on the global aviation industry. “We have decided to temporarily suspend operations to Mumbai with effect from May 4. We are suspending this service until rational conditions re-emerge and it can resume service on this important route,” said Neha Lidder Ganju, senior marketing manager- India, Virgin … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Virgin Atlantic cuts Mumbai service

The UK Environment Agency is to be given powers to seize planes from airlines which break the rules of a new scheme to limit flights’ carbon emissions. As the official body to enforce the European Emissions Trading Scheme for aviation, the EA will monitor emissions from flying, police companies’ buying of credits when they exceed their allocation, impose fines and, as a last resort, have the power to seize assetsof offending airlines. … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Break emission rules and planes may be seized

The sale of the cargo unit of Alitalia is nearing a conclusion according to the bankruptcy administrator of Italy’snational airline. Augusto Fantozzi said he expects to sign a contract with Alis, the owner of Cargoitalia, another private Italian allcargo carrier, within a week which will see Alis pay nearly US$18 million for the former Alitalia Cargo, but this does not include planes or take off and landing slots, Fantozzi said. Alitalia Cargo’s five MD-11 … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Alitalia Cargo deal close to conclusion

The European Union has intensified its warning to the US that efforts to deregulate the transatlantic aviation market could be “dangerously” impaired by proposed legislation before Congress, threatening talks slated for later thisyear, according to a Dow Jones report. The EU is echoing industry concerns about language attached to the bill that could unwind the existing system of global alliances, curb overseas investment in US carriers and hamper an existing transatlantic … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: EU warns on “restrictive” US bill

Finnair announced that it will temporarily suspend its four-times weekly Helsinki-Mumbai service from May until mid-October. The carrier said the decision was based on the ongoing unfavourable economic conditions affecting both passenger and cargo sales in India and Europe and noted the current over capacity situation onMumbai-Europe routes. “The over capacity has driven air fare levels radically down and cost level has not declined respectively,” said VP for Finnair’s … [Read more...] about EUROPE & CIS: Finnair suspends Mumbai route