Russia’s largest private airline S7 Group said on Wednesday that it was putting plans to launch a low-cost carrier on hold after aircraft deliveries were cancelled. The company said last July that it planned to launch “Citrus”, a budget airline focusing on regional routes. “In 2022 deliveries of the aircraft required to launch the low-cost airline will not take place, so the development of the airline with this business model is unfortunately not possible now,” the airline said. It said it would make a decision on the future of the project by the end of the year. Western sanctions over Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine have triggered a crisis in Russia’s aviation sector, which has seen flights to Europe and the United States cancelled and the use of foreign-made aircraft restricted. <br/>
oneworld
Australia’s Qantas Airways is appealing to head-office employees to help the airline’s overworked ground handling staff as the pandemic-hit sector struggles to cope with a rebound in air travel. Workers at the headquarters of Sydney-based Qantas and its Melbourne-based low-cost airline Jetstar have been asked to step in and assist during the peak July vacation period, according to an internal email sent by Jetstar’s airport operations. “We need your help,” the note says, describing the operation as the “Airports Peak Contingency Plan.” Operations in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are the most stretched, though office staff could be deployed anywhere, according to the memo. Workers might have to track down lost baggage, hand out water to queuing passengers or speed travelers through security if they’re running late. Around the world, from the US to Europe and Australia, there’s been mayhem as a stronger-than-expected recovery in passenger traffic overwhelms airlines and airports. After laying off thousands of pilots, flight crew, ground handlers and other staff during the pandemic, the aviation industry now can’t hire fast enough as families and friends reunite.<br/>
Qantas has reclaimed the lion’s share of the domestic passenger market from rival Virgin, however, has again failed to clinch its coveted 70% share together with Jetstar. According to the ACCC’s latest Airline Competition in Australia report, Qantas carried 37% of all domestic passengers in April, taking the leading place from Virgin, which captured 31%. It comes after Virgin claimed victory over its rivals in January by securing 33 per cent share of all domestic passengers, while Jetstar and Qantas each secured a 31 per cent share. In April, Jetstar lost part of this market share to full-service parent airline Qantas, with its own falling to 28%. This means together, the Qantas Group saw a total share of 65% for the month, slightly higher than the 62% seen in January, but still below its long-held target of 70%. Meanwhile, Rex again remained steady in April with its 4% share. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has repeatedly suggested that Qantas will secure “at least” a 70% share of the domestic market, despite Virgin’s stronger-than-anticipated recovery from the pandemic and voluntary administration process.<br/>