KLM touts more short-haul rail connections

Florence, Italy to temporarily close for runway works

Delta Air Lines withdraws objection to SpiceJet's FACP

Having received approval from the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to codeshare with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL, Amsterdam Schiphol), Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson) has now withdrawn its objection to SpiceJet's application for US exemption authority and a Foreign Air Carrier Permit (FACP).

The American carrier previously argued that it had been treated unfairly by the Indian authorities. Therefore, it requested the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to withhold SpiceJet's exemption and FACP to enforce reciprocal treatment of Delta by the DGCA.

In particular, Delta objected to the DGCA's refusal to permit it to codeshare on flights to India operated by its Skyteam partners. The Indian authorities ordered the US airline to suspend codesharing with Air France-KLM in June 2020 but subsequently permitted codesharing on Air France flights in November 2020. Since then, Delta has continued to demand permission to codeshare on KLM's flights.

"Earlier this week, Delta received final approval from the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation to codeshare to and from...

Delta aims to block SpiceJet's US plans, demands reciprocity

Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson) has petitioned the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to deny SpiceJet (SG, Delhi Int'l) r exemption authority and a foreign air carrier permit until the Indian authorities allow Delta to codeshare on more flights to the country.

"Delta objects on the basis of a lack of reciprocity afforded by the Government of India and urges the Department to delay granting approval of the requested authority until such time as the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation approves certain pending codesharing requests by Delta, consistent with the open skies US-India Air Transportation Agreement," the American carrier said.

Delta claimed the Indian government had ordered it to suspend codesharing on Air France-KLM services to India effective July 2020. While in November, "after significant engagement by Delta and the Department", the authorities reauthorised codesharing on Air France-operated flights, Delta remains banned from doing so on services flown by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL, Amsterdam Schiphol).

However, SpiceJet replied that...

BA banned from Hong Kong, partners for hydrogen flights

British Airways (BA, London Heathrow) has been banned from operating flights to Hong Kong Int'l until Christmas under tough new restrictions aimed at preventing the import of COVID-19 infections.

The 14-day ban, effective from December 12, was invoked by Hong Kong’s Department of Health after four people on flight BA27 on December 8 were found to be infected, reports the South China Morning Post.

Under newly revised and stricter rules, Hong Kong is issuing two-week bans on airlines even if one arriving passenger tests positive for COVID. Carriers were previously sanctioned only if five or more passengers tested positive for the dreaded virus, or if a total of at least three infected passengers arrived on two consecutive flights. The new requirements place stricter emphasis on airlines' compliance with regulations governing the passenger screening process.

Hong Kong still has strict rules for travel, with entry denied to anyone who is not a resident or a spouse or child of a resident. All arrivals must undergo compulsory quarantine for two weeks.

BA was one...