Brazil’s fourth-largest airline, Avianca Brasil, filed for bankruptcy protection Monday, saying its operations had been threatened by potential repossession of aircraft, which could prevent the carrier from continuing to operate. The unlisted airline said in its bankruptcy filing that leasing companies seeking to take back some 30 percent of its all-Airbus fleet threatened its ability to fly some 77,000 passengers in December. The aircraft are still under Avianca Brasil’s control for now and it remains unclear what their fate will be as the carrier is asking a Brazilian court to allow it to keep the planes for now. The airline said in the filing it largely blamed high fuel prices and a strong dollar for its troubles. The bankruptcy filing did not give information regarding Avianca Brasil’s assets and liabilities. But they did say the carrier faces three lawsuits from aircraft lessors totaling 14 planes.<br/>
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Air New Zealand engineering staff have voted to strike for three days. While mediation is ongoing, workers have decided to strike for three days from 21 December. This period spans three of the busiest days in the airline annual calendar. On 21 December alone, Air NZ has close to 42,000 customers booked to travel domestically on its A320 jets and internationally faced potential flight cancellations. The airline accused just under 1000 engineers of deliberately using Kiwi families' much anticipated Christmas holidays as a bargaining chip. The airline detailed the average income of maintenance engineers, logistics and other staff to strike — $115,000 – angering unions who accused it of taking an unnecessarily aggressive approach. At this stage, Air New Zealand has not yet announced any cancellations or postponements of flights.<br/>
Taiwan’s EVA Air plans to add three more destinations in Japan in 2019 and boost capacity by 10% as it reshapes its Japanese market and global network. Subject to government approvals, the Star Alliance member will add daily Taipei Taoyuan-Nagoya, Japan services, from June 6, using a Boeing 787-9 configured with 26 in Royal Laurel Class and 278 economy class seats. EVA plans to introduce services from Taipei to Aomori and Matsuyama in the 2019 3Q. In 2019, the airline will be offering 146 weekly flights to Japan. EVA president Clay Sun said, “With more Boeing 787s being added to EVA’s fleet, we plan to reshape the Japan market and our global network strategy. We will launch more routes to Japan [to Nagoya, Aomori and Matsuyama] with the possibility of more to follow in the future,” he said. At the same time, the carrier will increase capacity to Tokyo Narita and Osaka with Airbus A330-300s and 787s; frequencies to Okinawa and Sendai will also be added. After all its 787s have been delivered, EVA will boost its combined flight capacity to Japan routes by more than 10%.<br/>