Airline Aeromexico said Wednesday it plans to increase operations by almost 20% in August from July as the Mexican company moves ahead with bankruptcy proceedings that began late last month in the US. The company said August would be the third month in a row in which it would ramp up operations. Aeromexico shares rose after the announcement, closing the day 5.04% above the prior session at 5 pesos a share, despite the carrier posting a Q2 loss of nearly $1.2b after the market closed on Tuesday. Later on Wednesday, the company said in a filing to the Mexican stock exchange that a New York bankruptcy court had given the airline permission to keep paying salaries, loans and its tax obligations. The court also gave the green light to “keep existing contracts with key suppliers, travel agencies, partner airlines and insurance companies.” The court authorized Aeromexico to meet obligations in certain “customer programs,” including for co-branded American Express cards and Chubb Seguros Mexico insurance, and to continue with existing derivative contracts. The Mexican airline can “fulfill and honor” obligations to customers as it sees fit, according to the court, as well as continue to use third-party services for customers. The bankruptcy court in New York’s Southern District also ruled that the company could maintain and renew its letter of credit and surety bond programs without interruption.<br/>
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US airline Delta has upgraded its policy on face coverings to ban a particular type of mask. The carrier requires passengers to wear face coverings at all times: at check-in, in Delta Sky Clubs, at the gate, on the jet bridge and on the aircraft, barring during meal service. However, it has updated its guidance to prohibit masks with a valve. “Any mask with an exhaust valve is not approved as an acceptable face mask for customers traveling on any Delta operated flight,” says the policy. This is because masks with a valve are designed to protect the wearer, not other people, as they filter what is being breathed in rather than out. They’re most commonly used in construction work or during wildfire season. Many people bought such masks during the pandemic as they confused them with the N95 medical mask, known to be extremely effective. However, the non-medical variant has an exhaust valve on the front.<br/>