United said Thursday that it will furlough up to 2,850 pilots this fall unless the federal government provides more relief to help airlines cover their labor costs during a pandemic-fueled downturn in travel. United’s figure is higher than the 1,941 pilots that Delta plans to furlough and the 1,600 targeted for termination at American. The airline told pilots it will send furlough notices by US mail in the next few days, with the cuts taking effect between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30. The airlines and their unions are lobbying for another $25b to help the companies cover payroll costs for six more months, through next March. However, talks between the White House and congressional Democrats over a larger virus-relief measure have stalled.<br/>
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Air New Zealand will resume flying all of its Auckland domestic routes when the region moves to COVID-19 alert level 2 on Monday. The airline has been operating a reduced national schedule in and out of Auckland while the city had its alert level raised to 3. The majority of the rest of Air NZ's domestic network has been operating as normal, but with physical distancing in place. The airline reminded travellers that wearing a face mask onboard any domestic flight will be mandatory under alert level 2. Masks will be provided, but the airline is encouraging people to bring their own. CEO Greg Foran says while there will be more flights, there will be less seats available onboard due to social distancing. "Physical distancing means we can only sell just under 50 percent of seats on a turboprop aircraft and just 65 percent on an A320, which also means we won't be able to offer our lowest lead in fares until physical distancing measures are removed," Foran said. "This has put huge pressure on our business as it means we need to move some of our customers to other flights. We'd like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding while we work through these changes"<br/>A320 aircraft operate between the main centres, while turboprop aircraft service the airline's regional routes.<br/>
Ryanair said Thursday it had taken its challenge over Portuguese aid for state-owned carrier TAP to the European courts. The Irish-based carrier told AFP it was appealing against a June decision by the EC to authorise a E1.2b rescue loan for ailing TAP to keep it afloat as the coronoavirus pandemic buffeted the aviation industry. Lisbon then annnounced last month it was taking the carrier back into majority state ownership, boosting its stake to 72.5 from 50% with the E55m purchase of half of the Atlantic Gateway consortium's stake controlled by US businessman David Neeleman. Portugal argues the move, which will see the fleet pared down and routes scrapped, will permit restructuring and TAP's long-term viability. Ryanair argues the cash injection amounts to illegal state support.<br/>