Southwest canceled several hundred flights on Monday as it worked to resolve the problems that led it to strike more than a quarter of its scheduled flights over the weekend. Over 1,800 Southwest flights were canceled on Saturday and Sunday, accounting for more than 28% of its weekend schedule, according to FlightAware, a tracking service. By late afternoon on Monday, Southwest had canceled about 10% of the flights scheduled for the day, just over 360 flights. About a third of its flights were delayed 15 minutes or more. The cancellations wreaked havoc on travel plans for thousands of passengers, many of whom vented their frustrations on social media. At least some were trying to make it to the Boston Marathon, which was canceled last year and delayed by six months this year. Southwest blamed the cancellations on several causes, including problems with the weather and air traffic control on Friday and an inability to get flight crews and planes to where they were needed. Cancellations on Friday, primarily caused by severe weather, prevented planes and crews from being where they needed to be on Saturday, a cascading problem that led to cancellations and delays throughout the weekend and into Monday, the airline said. “We hope to restore our full schedule as soon as possible,” Southwest said. “To every customer that experienced a cancellation or delay, Southwest offers our sincerest regret regarding disrupted travel plans.” The airline’s share price fell more than 4 percent Monday.<br/>
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Scandinavian regional carrier Great Dane Airlines has today been declared bankrupt, a short message on its homepage says. The Aalborg-based carrier launched flights in June 2019 using Embraer 195 aircraft, though has spent much of its time operating against the backdrop of the global pandemic. ”Great Dane Airlines has gone bankrupt today,” the airline says in a Facebook message. ”We have struggled through time with coronavirus, but unfortunately we can’t fly anymore.” The airline’s owner Eigild Christensen is quoted by Danish news says as saying:”It’s winter season. There is simply not enough to fly with right now, so we are losing five million kroner a month.”<br/>
Ryanair has been accused of barring passengers who pursued chargebacks against the airline during the pandemic from taking new flights this year – unless they return their refunds. An investigation by MoneySavingExpert (MSE) has found that holidaymakers who sought refunds from their credit card provider have faced last-minute demands of up to GBP600 if they want to board a Ryanair plane. During the lockdowns, Ryanair carried on flying many of its routes even though most tourists were in effect barred by government rules from travelling. The airline refused to refund affected passengers unable to travel, leading many to successfully seek chargebacks from their credit card company, in particular American Express. Three of those passengers, who went on to make new bookings with Ryanair to travel this year, have been told they can only fly Ryanair again if they return the sum reclaimed. One passenger was given this ultimatum just hours before they were due to fly. MSE said in at least two instances Ryanair’s fraud department had demanded the refunds of between GBP400 and GBP630. MSE said it has seen dozens of similar cases on its consumer forum and on social media. Ryanair has defended its stance, claiming it has always been a “no-refunds airline” when the flight went ahead and that its terms and conditions allow its position. In May last year MSE reported that some Ryanair staff had threatened to blacklist passengers who used chargeback to get a refund, something the airline denied at the time.<br/>
Airlines are keen to publicise their plans to cap emissions ahead of next month’s COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, and Virgin said it planned to reduce fleet emissions by 15% by 2026 through more efficient aircraft and “operational efficiency”, compared to a 2019 baseline. By 2030 it plans a 15% net reduction in total CO2 emissions on 2019 levels, including sourcing 10% of needs from Sustainable Aviation Fuel. By 2040, a 40% net reduction in total CO2 emissions is planned. The airline said the targets would build on the 18% reduction already achieved by 2019 “through fleet modernisation and operational efficiencies” but added there was a need to ramp up Sustainable Aviation Fuel production. Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic CE, said: “We know that as an airline we have a pivotal role to play in protecting the planet, while connecting people across the globe and strengthening crucial trade connections. The carbon targets outlined today will help us achieve this as we work tirelessly on our mission to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Aviation is a truly global industry, and we can’t tackle this on our own. That’s why we’re continuing to work closely with the UK’s Jet Zero Council and Sustainable Aviation, as well as aligning with innovation and technology partners across the industry and beyond. There is a long road ahead, but we’re committed to pioneering change and being transparent on our progress, on our way to a low-carbon future.”<br/>
Akasa Air, backed by Indian billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, said on Monday it expects to start flying next year after getting initial clearance from the civil aviation ministry to launch the country's latest ultra-low cost carrier. The approval comes at a time when India's aviation industry is reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with airlines losing billions of dollars, but the sector's long-term prospect makes the country a hot market for planemakers Boeing and Airbus. SNV Aviation, which will fly under the Akasa Air brand, said it has received a "no objection certificate" from the ministry and expects to begin flights across India in the summer of 2022. Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube said the airline will continue to work with the regulatory authorities on all additional compliances required to successfully launch. The company did not elaborate but under Indian requirements to start an airline, it will also need clearance from aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Jhunjhunwala, known as "India's Warren Buffett" for his successful stock investments, teamed up with Aditya Ghosh, former CEO of IndiGo - the country's biggest carrier - and Dube to launch the carrier to tap into demand for domestic air travel. Dube is former CEO of Jet Airways - once India's biggest private carrier before it stopped flying in April 2019 after running out of cash, owing billions to lenders and leaving thousands without jobs. Jet was recently bailed out of bankruptcy. Ghosh, who spent a decade with IndiGo, was credited with IndiGo's early success.<br/>
New Australian budget airline Bonza plans to start domestic flights with two to three Boeing 737 MAX planes from Q2 next year, pending regulatory approvals, its CE said. The airline will be based in northern New South Wales or southern Queensland and focus on leisure-driven routes not served by rivals or are underserved, said Tim Jordan, Bonza's founder and CEO. Bonza, which means "excellent" in old-fashioned Australian slang, would compete against Qantas, Virgin Australia and Regional Express Holdings (Rex) in a market that lacks an independent low-cost carrier. "This is not 'me too'," Jordan said. "We are not about stealing traffic from other carriers. This is about creating a brand new market." The initial routes will be chosen in part based on which airports offer better financial incentives, he said. Bonza expects to apply for an operating licence with Australia's aviation regulator and hopes to sell tickets in Q1 2022, Jordan said. The carrier is backed by US private investment firm 777 Partners, which has an investment portfolio that includes Canadian low-cost airline Flair Airlines and in March placed an order for 24 737 MAX planes with purchase rights for 60 more. "We see huge potential in the Australian market to deliver the benefits and options that an independent low-fare airline brings," 777 Partners Managing Partner Josh Wander said.<br/>