LHR to resume T4 operations on 14 June

UK calls for airlines to stop overselling tickets

The UK Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps has accused air carriers of driving disruption at the country’s airports by selling tickets beyond their capacity to deliver.

Shapps made the statement during a meeting with leaders from the aviation industry, including airports, airlines, and ground handling companies.

The meeting was called on an urgent basis by the government to discuss the current chaos at UK airports resulting from the cancellation of thousands of flights.

According to British broadcaster Sky News, more than 150 flights were cancelled by the UK’s flag carrier British Airways and budget carrier easyJet on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Shapps also underlined that the tickets were unfairly sold to passengers for holidays they cannot go on.

Discussions will be carried out on options for offering automatic refunds to travellers, he said.

He also underlined that airlines should have been prepared well in advance to cope with the surge in passenger demand following two years of travel closures.

Five Russian carriers return airplanes to foreign lessors

Five air carriers in Russia have returned 31 leased aircraft to foreign lessors, revealed a document from Russia's federal air transport agency (Rosaviatsiya) cited by Reuters.

According to the document, Rosaviatsia was notified that charter airlines Azur Air, iFly, Nordwind, Pegas Fly, and Royal Flight had kept their aircraft outside Russia.

However, the document did not provide any detail on why the airlines did so.

Planes run by these airlines are based in the US, Turkey, Europe, and the Middle East, Reuters reported, citing the Planespotters aircraft tracking website. These planes did not return to Russia after 27 February, noted the website.

None of the concerned carriers commented on the matter.

Rosaviatsiya’s document dated 9 March said: “Jets of some operators… with foreign registration are currently located at foreign airfields, including in Turkey, in order to transfer them to the lessors on the pre-text of maintenance.”

Sanctions imposed by Western countries on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine has led to suspension in the supply of plane parts, aircraft, and maintenance services.

Embraer sets new target for 100% green electricity in Brazil

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has brought forward its 100% renewable energy target in Brazil by one year, to 2024.

With this move, Embraer will ensure that 100% of the electricity it uses in the country is sourced from wind and solar sources by 2024.

Procuring a Renewable Energy Certificate for 2024 will enable the company to zero its ‘Scope 2’ carbon emissions in Brazil. Additionally, the purchase will support the growth of the renewable energy market in the country.

In August 2021, Embraer unveiled its ESG targets as part of the company’s efforts to ensure a sustainable future. The company set a 2040 target for carbon-neutral operations and a 2025 target for 100% green electricity.

Rosaviatsiya extends flight ban for country’s southern airports

Russia’s federal air transport agency, Rosaviatsiya, has extended a flight ban for several airports in central and southern Russia until 6 June over safety issues amid the Ukraine conflict, Interfax reported.

As a result, flights to Elista, Gelendzhik, Krasnodar, Kursk, Lipetsk, Rostov-on-Don, Anapa, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, and Simferopol have been temporarily banned.

In a statement, Rosaviatsiya said: “The regime of temporary restriction on flights to 11 Russian airports has been prolonged until 3:45am Moscow time on 6 June 2022.”

Operations at the country’s other airports will reportedly continue without any prohibitions.

UK bars Russian airlines from selling unused landing slots

To increase pressure on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, the UK Government has blocked three Russian carriers from selling unused landing slots at UK airports.

This move will affect Russian flag carrier Aeroflot, as well as Ural Airlines and Rossiya Airlines. The landing slots in question are worth up to £50m ($62m).

Sanctions imposed on Russia by various countries across the globe have dented its economy, with the country’s central bank acknowledging the challenge that sanctions have posed for its supply chains.

The latest set of punitive measures by the UK Government is expected to further cripple Russia’s economy.