EgyptAir announced a 20% discount on all its tickets of international flights leaving or coming to Egypt, on the occasion of holding the 2021 World Men's Handball Championship in Egypt on January 13-31. Passengers traveling from Egypt can benefit from the offer while buying the discounted tickets that will be valid till January 14, while the discount on tickets for passengers coming to Egypt will continue till January 31, EgyptAir Company Chairman Roshdy Zakaria said. Meanwhile, Head of EgyptAir Company Airlines Amr Abul Enien said all employees will be abiding by the anti-coronavirus precautionary measures, noting that all arrivals should present their PCR certificates ahead of the flight by 72 hours. On December 20, Zakaria, said that additional flights to Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and other tourist destinations in Egypt have been arranged due to high demand. He added in statements to Sada al Balad privet channel commenting on the preparations for domestic flights for the New Year that the flights have been arranged due to the high demand to Egypt’s different tourist destinations. This high demand comes despite fears of the new rising strain of Covid-19 which appeared earlier in Britain. However, Egypt’s coastal cities such as Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada are one of the lowest cities in Egypt to spot covid cases.<br/>
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China Airlines will phase out the last of its passenger Boeing 747-400s by early 2021, becoming the latest carrier in the region to retire the type, which it has operated for more than 30 years. The airline disclosed its move through an announcement for a 747 farewell event, to be held on 6 February, which will see a 747-400 (registered B-18215) perform a flight to nowhere towards Mt Fuji in Japan, before returning to Taipei. <br/>Cirium fleets data indicates that the carrier has four passenger 747-400s currently in storage. China Airlines also has 18 747-400Fs in operation, with a further two freighters in storage. China Airlines did not disclose an exact date for the retirement of its 747s. The announcement also marks the end of more than 45 years of 747 passenger operations.<br/>
Asiana has reshuffled its senior leadership team in a move to “revitalise” the carrier, which will see a new CE appointed and seven positions cut. The carrier, which in November was the subject of an acquisition by compatriot Korean Air, announced on 31 December that Asiana veteran Jung Sung-kwon will be promoted to helm the carrier, replacing current chief Han Chang-soo. Prior to his promotion, Jung led Asiana’s China operations, and was an executive VP with the carrier. He joined Asiana in 1988, and has served in various departments, including in finance, sales and human resources. The “significant” executive reshuffle also saw the retirement of 15 executive officers. Coupled with the appointment of eight new executives appointed, Asiana’s management team will be downsized by seven positions. Ahn Byung-suk, previously a management director at Asiana, will lead the airline’s low-cost unit Air Busan. Meanwhile, Cho Jin-man has been promoted to lead Asiana subsidiary Air Seoul. He was previously an executive manager at the low-cost unit. Asiana states that the management changes, which took effect on 1 January, were necessary to “revitalise” the “stagnant” organisational culture at the airline, as well as to “smoothly carry out” the planned consolidation with Korean Air in the coming months.<br/>
As the US remains unable to contain surges of the COVID-19 pandemic despite vaccines being distributed, Air NZ says it's rerouting flights to the country to reduce risk to staff members. From January 11, the airline will stop cargo flights in Honolulu and from February 2, passenger flights will also stop in the Hawaiin city. There, the aircrew will be swapped out during a "brief stop" before the flight continues to either Los Angeles or San Francisco. Both final destination cities are in the state of California, which over the past week has averaged 35,690 new cases and 335 coronavirus deaths per day. Rerouting through Honolulu will allow Air NZ aircrew to stay overnight "in a lower risk destination while still maintaining vital connections into North America", the airline says. When the passenger services start rerouting through Honolulu, it'll mean longer travel times for customers. Air NZ hasn't explained exactly how long in its media release, nor given any indication of how long the "brief stop" in Hawaii is. Air NZ is currently operating eight cargo flights and two passenger services per week between Aotearoa and Los Angeles, in addition to four cargo services between Aotearoa and San Francisco and one cargo service from Australia to North America. "While it's important to keep trade routes open and passenger services operating for our customers, looking after our people is our first priority," says Air NZ CEO Greg Foran.<br/>