Investigators have zeroed in on pilot error as one of the primary reasons -- if not the only cause -- why a Pakistan International Airlines plane crashed into a Karachi neighborhood last month, killing all but two of the 99 people on board, people with knowledge of the matter said. It appears the landing gear wasn’t deployed when the Airbus A320 jet touched the runway in its first approach, and there was no communication from the cockpit on whether the aircraft was trying to land on its belly, the people said, asking not to be identified because details of the probe are confidential. Both the airline, known as PIA, and the planemaker are pushing for an initial report to be made public as soon as possible, so that mechanical failure can be ruled out, they said. Such an outcome would largely clear Airbus and engine maker CFM of any significant contribution to the tragedy. While finding pilot error would absolve PIA of maintenance or mechanical mistakes, it would also shove pilot training and procedures into the spotlight as the airline takes to the skies after a two-month lockdown.<br/>
unaligned
Emirates Airline has confirmed reports of an extension of salary cuts until September. Starting April, Emirates reduced basic salaries for three months by 25% for employees in Grades 4 to 8 and by 50% for staff from grade 9 and above. Junior employees had been exempted from the cut. According to Emirates employees, the airline has now announced 50% salary cuts for employees in all grades 4 and above until September. However, other benefits such as housing and utility remain untouched. “We continue to navigate the impact of COVID-19 on our business and are reviewing all possible options to preserve our cash position,” the Emirates e-mail stated. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways confirmed that it is extending salary cuts for employees until September. “Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the travel industry, Etihad is continuing to consider all options to protect jobs and preserve cash at this challenging time. Regretfully, Etihad has extended its salary reduction until September 2020, with 25% reduction for junior staff and cabin crew, and 50% for employees at manager level and above. Housing allowance and a number of benefits continue to be paid,” an Etihad Airways spokesperson said.<br/>
Emirates and Etihad Airways will resume some transit flights after the UAE lifted a suspension on services where passengers stop off in the country to change planes, or for refueling. Dubai's Emirates, one of the world's biggest long-haul airlines, said on Thursday it would operate transit flights to 29 destinations in Asia, Europe and North America by June 15. Abu Dhabi's Etihad, meanwhile, said it would carry transit passengers to 20 cities in Europe, Asia and Australia from June 10. The suspension was lifted late on Wednesday for UAE carriers, more than two months after the Gulf Arab state halted all passenger flights in March as it introduced drastic measures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. It has since allowed a few, limited flights, while domestic restrictions such as the closure of shopping centers have been lifted. Foreign citizens remain banned from entering the Gulf Arab state except those holding UAE residency, who require UAE government approval before returning. Qatar Airways also said on Thursday it was now flying more than 170 weekly flights to over 40 destinations, after announcing in May it would run operations to up to 80 destinations by the end of June.<br/>
The government is asking El Al to issue shares as part of a bailout package, the carrier said Sunday. El Al was seeking state-backed loans of $400m to help it through the coronavirus crisis, as foreigners are barred from entering the country and incoming Israelis must self-quarantine. The airline, which warned last month that it could collapse should talks fail to secure a loan, suspended passenger flights until at least June 20 and about 6,000 of its 6,500 workforce are on unpaid leave until June 30. Under a plan laid out by the Finance Ministry, El Al said it would receive a $250 loan mostly guaranteed by the government. <br/>
El Al Israel Airlines on Sunday extended a suspension of scheduled commercial flights until June 30 but said it would continue to use its aircraft for cargo and occasional passenger flights. While Israel has eased tight coronavirus lockdown restrictions, incoming passengers are still required to enter quarantine and a ban on foreigners entering the country remains in force. Israel’s flag carrier halted flights in late March but the suspension has been extended repeatedly. About 6,000 of the carrier’s 6,500 workers are on unpaid leave until June 30.<br/>
Aer Lingus has cut a number of jobs due to what the airline described as the “decimation in demand for travel” during the coronavirus pandemic. With almost all business and leisure travel suspended, and global commerce greatly impacted by the spread of coronavirus, the IAG-owned carrier confirmed that it had “deferred” a number of “planned appointments”. It would not confirm how many people had been affected by the move. The company said it had “communicated to a number of fixed-term contractors in March that their planned appointments as permanent seasonal contractors was being deferred due to the Covid-19 crisis”. “Given the ongoing crisis, the decimation in demand for travel in the immediate term and the uncertainty regarding future travel demand thereafter, these individuals have now been informed that there is no operational requirement for their roles going forward.” <br/>