Summer travel is off to a roaring start, but high demand and staffing shortages mean vacationers may have to add a bit of extra time — and perhaps even a dash of patience — to their travel plans, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said in recent interview. "There are staffing shortages across the whole economy that affects the [TSA] and others around airlines," Kirby said. "But I would get to the airport a little earlier this summer. Staffing shortages are exacerbated [when] somebody gets COVID and then everyone tests, and sick calls are higher in all businesses than they were before." But Kirby said the airline was doing its best to improve overall communication with passengers. "You can't avoid that there are going to be weather issues but communicating with customers, investing in the experience and the product on the airplane… it really is changing at United how customers feel when they fly," he said. For its part, United Airlines recommends travelers arrive at the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight and at least three hours before an international flight. The airline also requires most domestic travelers who are checking a bag to check in at least 45 minutes before their departure time, while most domestic travelers who are traveling without a checked bag must check in for their flight at least 30 minutes before their departure. When asked about masks, Kirby said travelers are welcome to wear masks on planes — which doctors say is one of the best ways to protect individuals — but insisted planes are the "safest environment" people can be in indoors.<br/>
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Air Canada says it operated its last cargo-only flight with a makeshift freighter on May 14, 2022, and will now return the aircraft to passenger service. Flight AC7272 from Bogotá to Toronto Pearson was operated with the last makeshift converted A330-300, C-GEGC, a 13.2-year-old aircraft that has since been ferried via Vancouver Int'l and Seoul Incheon to Singapore Paya Lebar for conversion back into a passenger aircraft, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows. Air Canada was the first airline in the world to deploy its passenger aircraft as makeshift freighters (as opposed to cargo-only flights utilising the bellyhold) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The carrier operated the first such flight on April 18, 2020, and has, in total, deployed eleven A330-300s and B777-300(ER)s without passenger seats throughout the pandemic. "Developing and sustaining this solution was an incredible group effort from many departments within Air Canada. These aircraft have considerably increased Air Canada's cargo capacity in time of need. It is with mixed emotions that we see this chapter fold, and we're looking forward to working with our new B767-300(ERBDSF) freighters," said Dotane Harel, Director, Regulatory & Operations Process Engineering.<br/>
Italy expects to attract at least two rival bids for ITA Airways, the successor to Alitalia, before the deadline for its part privatisation expires at midnight on Monday, two sources close to the matter said. Shipping group MSC, which is working with Germany’s Lufthansa, is seen as the leading candidate, but a consortium comprising US private equity fund Certares, Air France-KLM and Delta is also expected to make a competitive offer, the sources said. Italy’s Treasury managed the bidding process to ensure there would be competition among the contenders, both sources said, with one adding that both Air France and Delta were considering an investment in ITA, should Certares’ bid be successful. US-based Indigo Partners, an investor in low-cost carrier Wizz Air which expressed its interest in ITA, is expected to drop from the race, the sources said, adding that the rule that requires the majority shareholder in a European airline be based in Europe proved a hurdle for the fund. A Lufthansa spokesman confirmed the German airline presented a joint offer with MSC, but did not give any details. Under a government decree, Rome plans to privatise ITA through a direct sale while retaining a minority, non-controlling stake in a first stage. It hopes to clinch a deal with the prospective buyer before the summer break.<br/>
Korean Air issued a statement Monday to deny speculations that it is facing setbacks in receiving approvals from overseas antitrust regulators for its acquisition of its domestic rival, Asiana Airlines. "Korean Air has made every effort to get approval for the merger in other countries," the largest air carrier in Korea said. "Each country's review is underway without any setbacks." The Korea Fair Trade Commission gave a conditional approval for the deal in February, but the US Department of Justice reportedly decided to apply stricter rules for its review, after United Airlines raised a question about the deal. The American air carrier is said to have been concerned about possible fallout from Asiana's withdrawal from Star Alliance, given that Korean Air has formed close ties with Delta Air Lines in transpacific flight routes. In addition, Korean Air had to reapply for approval in China last October, as the Chinese authorities did not draw a conclusion in time for the deadline. The fact that Asiana made profits for the fourth quarter straight has also raised questions about the necessity of its sale to Korean Air.<br/>