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

Air Canada plans to complete the acquisition of 33 Airbus A220s and 40 Boeing 737 Max narrowbodies thanks to a C$5.879 billion ($4.682 billion) financing commitment by the government of Canada under its Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF) program, the airline said late Monday.

 


The package provides for fully repayable loans that Air Canada would draw down only as required, as well as an equity investment. It includes a government purchase of C$500 million worth of shares of the airline, meaning Ottawa will again own a part of the Canadian flag carrier. &nbsp;

 


"The additional liquidity program we are announcing today achieves several aligned objectives as it provides a significant layer of insurance for Air Canada, it enables us to better resolve customer refunds of non-refundable tickets, maintain our workforce and re-enter regional markets,” said Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau. “Most importantly, this program provides additional liquidity, if required, to rebuild our business to the benefit of all stakeholders and to remain a significant contributor to the Canadian economy through its recovery and for the long term.”

 


In return for the government aid, Air Canada has committed to provisions related to customer refunds, service to regional communities, restrictions on the use of the funds provided, employment, and capital expenditures.

 


Under the agreement, Air Canada must maintain employment levels no lower than those in place on April 1. Beginning April 13, the airline began offering the option of a refund in the original form of payment to&nbsp;eligible customers who&nbsp;purchased non-refundable fares for Feb. 1, 2020&nbsp;or later&nbsp;but did not travel due to Covid-19. It also committed to resuming service or “access” to Air Canada's network for nearly all regional communities that saw service suspended because of Covid-19 through direct services or new interline agreements with third-party regional carriers. Finally, the airline agreed to restrict certain expenditures and restrict dividends, share buybacks, and senior executive pay.

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.

Air Canada Commits to Moving Ahead with A220, 737 Max Buys

The government of Canada will own a portion of the flag carrier under a provision of a C$5.879 billion aid package.

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Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Twin pusherprop aircraft is being used to train military pilots

Piaggio Delivers Three More Avantis to Italy‘s Air Force

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

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