Britain’s advertising watchdog ordered Ryanair Holdings to stop showing “misleading” ads that claim the discounter is Europe’s lowest-emissions carrier. The Advertising Standards Authority found that TV, radio and newspaper promos made assertions regarding Ryanair’s carbon-emissions ranking that were unsubstantiated and based partly on old data, saying they must not appear again in their current form. Ryanair said it provided information to support its case and that the ads have provided a “hugely important message” for customers in 10 European countries. The company based its claims on its young, fuel-efficient fleet, and on having occupancy levels that are generally the highest in Europe. Airlines are facing increasing pressure over their CO2 record, with a sector that produced 2.4% of all human-induced emissions in 2018 set to become the single biggest producer by 2050 if other industries cut their output more quickly, according to some projections. Ryanair finds itself in the firing line because of a business model that has opened up hundreds of routes to mass travel. It hit back with its first environmentally focused advertising campaign in September. “Ryanair should stop green-washing and start doing something to tackle its sky-high emissions,” said Jo Dardenne, aviation manager at lobby group Transport & Environment.<br/>
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Shares in Brazil’s Gol rose as much as 5.5% on Tuesday after the budget airline said it had signed a codeshare agreement with American Airlines. “When this is approved by Brazilian and US authorities, Gol’s new codeshare will allow its customers to connect to more than 30 destinations in the USA,” Gol said, adding that American will now offer more US-South American flights than anyone else. The flights will operate from Gol’s hubs in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and Fortaleza, and will be added to current regular flights to Miami and Orlando. “The partnership will increase the quantity and quality of its flights, offering the more daily flights between South America and the United States than any other partner,” analysts at Guide Investimento said Tuesday. The agreement will make it easier for customers to purchase flights for both airlines using a single reservation. It will also integrate check-in, boarding and baggage checking throughout the trip, and include the air miles program.<br/>
Cebu Pacific expects the coronavirus outbreak to impact its bottom line by up to Ps4b ($79m). The low-cost carrier estimates that it will see “a Ps3-4 billion swing on profit” should the outbreak remain unabated over the next six months. It makes this estimate based on 2003’s Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, which curtailed demand for air travel for six months. The carrier has cancelled flights to China until 29 March, while reducing frequencies to Hong Kong and Macau. Meanwhile, compatriot Philippine Airlines and Philippines AirAsia have suspended flights to China, Hong Kong and Macau. Cebu Pacific said that the Ps4b figure is provided against “the context of its 2020 profit outlook,” especially since it posted operating profit of Ps8.9b in H1 2019.<br/>