Struggling tour operator Air Transat is in talks with the federal government on aid but may not reach a deal by an April debt deadline, a source close to the situation said, putting pressure on Quebec to ride to the rescue of another troubled aerospace brand in the province. Air Canada dropped its merger plans with Transat on Friday, saying European regulators had signaled it was unlikely to pass antitrust concerns. Canada’s largest carrier first bid for Transat in 2019 and discounted its offer last year as the pandemic decimated the travel and tourism sector. Airlines have been in talks with Ottawa since last year about a possible aid package. Transat’s aborted deal adds fresh urgency to the talks, given the jobs at risk if the carrier fails and the political importance of Quebec ahead of an expected federal election this year. Transat, which last month suspended flights until June due to pandemic guidelines, has said it needs at least C$500m in financing this year. It has obligations due on April 29 for a $50m revolving facility and a C$250m short-term loan that matures on June 30. If it does not meet the April 29 requirements, or obtain another extension, creditors could accelerate the repayment obligation. “There are ongoing negotiations and there is a budget coming up and there is no guarantee at this point that they will get there before the budget,” said a source close to the situation, referring to the federal budget slated for April 19.<br/>
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The CE of start-up Norse Atlantic Airways has blasted US lawmakers for making “false” claims about labour practices, insisting Norse will hire US staff and conform to air transport treaties. “We encourage people to stick to the facts and not listen to false claims made by parties who don’t know our company or have made any effort to reach out to us,” Norse CEO Bjorn Tore Larsen says. “Our door is open, and we welcome any questions about our future operation that will create US jobs and offer Americans affordable flights to Europe.” The pushback responds to a 30 March letter in which two US lawmakers called Norse, which has yet to start operations, an “unfair player”. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure chair Peter DeFazio, and aviation sub-committee head Rick Larsen, sent the letter to US Department of Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg. The lawmakers said Norse might pursue a business plan similar to that of Norwegian Air International (NAI), the Ireland-based affiliate of Norwegian. The latest letter demands that the DOT deny Norse’s foreign air carrier permit if it pursues a structure similar to NAI’s. “These claims are false and seem to be based on misinformation,” says Norse chief Larsen.<br/>
Flydubai plans to start flying its Boeing 737 Max jets from April 8, marking another step toward the aircraft’s global return to service. The Dubai-based carrier has “met and exceeded the stringent requirements” set by regulators in the US, Europe and the United Arab Emirates, the company said Sunday. “Passengers will be notified in advance of travel if their itinerary now includes a flight that is scheduled to be operated by a MAX.” Flydubai idled 14 Boeing Max jets in March 2019, when the model was grounded worldwide in the wake of a second deadly crash in five months. The low-cost carrier has ordered 251 Max jets as it pursues an aggressive regional expansion. Those planes are meant to feed into longer-distance flights by its partner Emirates, which is also government-owned.<br/>
El-Al has officially opened up flights for Israelis to Georgia, beginning on April 11. The flights will travel directly from Tel Aviv to Tbilisi and will cost $198. Departure flights will leave Tel Aviv on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, while return flights will fly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Anyone traveling to Georgia must undergo a coronavirus test 72 hours before their flight and fill out the Ministry of Health's exit and entry health forms. Israelis who have been vaccinated may enter Georgia with an English certificate proving their vaccination, since the country accepts Israel's green passport. Non-vaccinated Israelis can still enter the country, but must take undergo on their third day in Georgia Other destinations approved by El-Al include: New York (JFK and EWR), Los Angeles, Miami, Paris, London, Seychelles, Dubai, Brussels, Kiev, Moscow, Berlin, Frankfurt, Athens, and Larnaca.<br/>
Iraqi Airways plans to start direct flights to the United Arab Emirates' capital Abu Dhabi on May 1, the state-run Iraqi News Agency reported on Sunday, citing a company statement. The annoucement came ahead of a visit on Sunday to Abu Dhabi by Iraqi PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi as part of efforts to forge close ties with oil-rich Gulf Arab monarchies. Khadimi's visit to the UAE follows one to Saudi Arabia last week, during which Riyadh said it would increase investments in Iraq by five-fold to $2.67b.<br/>
Cebu Pacific announced on Sunday the cancelation of its 38 domestic flights from April 5 to April 11 due to the travel restrictions in Metro Manila and Western Visayas. Cebu Pacific canceled 28 flights between Manila and Boracay, Kalibo, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Coron, Lagazpi, Pagadian, and San Jose because of the extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the areas covered by the so-called National Capital Region (NCR) Plus. “Only essential travel is allowed in and out of Metro Manila until April 11,” the budget carrier noted. Cebu Pacific also announced that the interagency task force has approved the request of the local government of Region 6 (Western Visayas) to temporarily suspend the acceptance of incoming passengers until April 10. Ten flights are affected, including flights from Manila to Iloilo, Roxas, and Bacolod. The budget carrier also canceled the Cebu-Bacolod-Cebu flights and the Cebu-Caticlan-Cebu flights.<br/>
Virgin sold more domestic tickets on the launch day of the half-price ticket scheme than on any 24-hour period in its history. The result came despite fears Brisbane’s recent snap lockdown, which ended on Thursday, would put people off interstate travel. Domestic aviation has been pinning its recovery hopes on the federal government’s plan to supplement 800,000 half-price airfares for passengers to 15 destinations including the Gold Coast, Alice Springs and Kangaroo Island. It follows the end of JobKeeper last week. Virgin said it sold 71,000 supplemented seats in the 24-hour period from 12:01am on 1 April. <br/>