Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Singapore Airlines Group on Monday said it will cut 96 percent of its system capacity originally scheduled through the end of April and ground most of its fleet as further tightening of border controls around the world to stem the Covid-19 outbreak bring commercial air travel to a near standstill. The moves will see 138 Singapore Airlines and SilkAir aircraft grounded out of a total fleet of 147, while 47 of 49 aircraft sit idle&nbsp;at low-fare subsidiary Scoot.

 


SIA Group said it had diversified its network and established Scoot to spread its risks and cater to a wide range of passenger and market segments. However, without a domestic segment, the group’s airlines become more vulnerable when international markets increasingly restrict the free movement of people or ban air travel altogether, it added.

 


Measures to build liquidity and reduce spending and operating costs at SIA include ongoing discussions with aircraft manufacturers to defer upcoming aircraft deliveries. Other moves have involved executive salary cuts and voluntary unpaid leave for certain management positions, while&nbsp;SIA remains engaged with unions on more cost-cutting measures, steps toward which the company said it would take “imminently.”

 


While SIA Group has drawn on its lines of credit to meet its immediate cash-flow needs, it remains in talks with several financial institutions for future funding requirements.

 


The SIA announcement comes amid several cases of virtual halts in flying by several major international airlines, including Dubai’s Emirates, which said Sunday it would <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2020-03-22/emirates-suspend-passenger-services-march-25">suspend “most” of its services by March 25</a>. A day later Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways said it would suspend all flights to and from Abu Dhabi International Airport on March 25 as well amid a directive from the UAE government calling for a 14-day suspension of all inbound, outbound, and transit passenger flights in the country. The UAE’s directive does not apply to cargo and emergency evacuation flights, and both airlines said it would continue those operations.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Singapore Airlines Group To Cut 96 Percent of Capacity

The move to suspend most flights at SIA Group follows similar actions by major Gulf-region carriers Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Howard Hardee

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

More In Airlines

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

ATR Chases New Regional Markets for Twin Turboprops

Iran war and wider geopolitical pressure stall buying decisions

Embraer Racks Up E-Jet Orders at Farnborough

30 firm orders led by Abra

Gulf Air May Buy JetZero’s Blended-wing-body Z4

Japan Airlines also expresses interest at Farnborough Airshow

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN