Latam Airlines Group can send its $5.4b bankruptcy-exit plan to creditors for a vote, a judge said Tuesday, handing the airline a partial victory over debtholders who want to pursue alternatives, including a takeover by rival Azul. The decision means the company can seek final court approval for its reorganization plan in April and possibly exit bankruptcy several months after that, should it get support from securities regulators in Chile, where Latam is based. Latam Airlines Group SA can send its $5.4 billion bankruptcy-exit plan to creditors for a vote, a judge said Tuesday, handing the airline a partial victory over debtholders who want to pursue alternatives, including a takeover by rival Azul. The decision means the company can seek final court approval for its reorganization plan in April and possibly exit bankruptcy several months after that, should it get support from securities regulators in Chile, where Latam is based.<br/>
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Norwegian has announced the reopening of its base at Stockholm Arlanda in early April 2022 as it gradually rebuilds its short-haul European network. According to airport operator Swedavia, the new base will bring 270 new cabin crew jobs to the Swedish capital. Norwegian plans to operate 54 European routes out of Arlanda during the Summer 2022 season, up by nearly 40 compared to the airline's current network out of the city. Norwegian is already the second-largest operator at Arlanda with an 11.8% market share by capacity, split between Norwegian and Norwegian Air Sweden. The largest carrier at the Swedish gateway is SAS with a 37.5% market share by scheduled departure capacity. The carrier closed most of its bases outside of Norway during 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic aggravated its pre-existing debt problems. It has also closed most of its Spanish bases and that at London Gatwick. But, over the last months, the resurgent LCC has been gradually reopening bases in Denmark, Norway, Spain, and now Sweden.<br/>
Icelandic start-up Play Airlines is set to launch the first transatlanic flights to New York Stewart International airport since Norwegian cut its fledgling services there in 2019. Play will serve Stewart daily from Reykjavik beginning 9 June. It marks the third US destination Play has announced plans to serve. It will launch flights to Baltimore in April and Boston the following month. The airline launched flights to European short-haul destinations last summer using three Airbus A321neos. It has since has struck deals with China Aircraft Leasing and GECAS covering the lease six more A320neo family aircraft to support its launch of transatlantic flights. Stewart airport, which is located in Newburgh in the Hudson Valley, is a secondary airport serving the New York market behind the city’s main JFK and Newark hubs. Norwegian is the only carrier that has previously operated scheduled transatlantic flights from the airport, though Norwegian start-up Norse Atlantic Airways in January secured US regulatory approval to launch flights including a planned Oslo connection to Stewart. Play CE Birgir Jonsson says: ”After we learned of the economic growth and the attractions in the area surrounding New York Stewart and the benefits the airport has, we did not hesitate and believe that this is a great opportunity. This decision enables us to offer the lowest prices on flights between New York and Europe as we get a good deal being the first airline operating international flights from the airport.” <br/>
Restructuring Malaysian long-haul, low-cost operator AirAsia X is to resume scheduled passenger services in February for the first time since the pandemic. AirAsia X will restore scheduled flights, initially operated weekly, from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney on 14 February. AirAsia X CE Benyamin Ismail says: ”Without any domestic routes AAX has been significantly affected by the pandemic. We now see light at the end of this long tunnel and we are working hard to operate again in all of our key markets. As we anticipate the gradual reopening of international borders around the world in 2022, we are delighted to return to Australia first, as one of our most popular markets. This new weekly service for guests marks a significant milestone for the resumption of our commercial services and will contribute to our growth post-restructuring. We look forward to announcing additional new services soon,” he adds. Cirium schedules data shows AirAsia X was serving Sydney twice-daily in January 2020, prior to the pandemic. It was one of four Australian destinations the airline served from Kuala Lumpur. AirAsia X has been hard hit by the pandemic and in November last year secured crucial approval from creditors for debt restructuring. Late last month it completed a proposed share capital reduction. The carrier has been operating some freight and ad-hoc flights during the crisis and is shifting the balance of its activities to exploit strong demand for cargo. ”Air cargo rates will continue to remain robust as long as planes remain grounded,” Ismail said on 26 January after disclosing a capacity agreement with logistics provider Geodis.<br/>