September’s top news stories 

IATA warns France’s proposed environment tax to cost 150,000 jobs

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) cautioned that France’s proposed environment tax would cost 150,000 jobs. 

Created under President Emmanuel Macron, the Convention Citoyenne pour le Climat (CCC) is recommending a series of measures to control aviation emissions. 

---

Rolls-Royce evaluating raising equity of up to £2.5bn

British manufacturer Rolls-Royce said it was evaluating raising equity of up to £2.5bn amid the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The company provided the update, following speculations over potential fundraising. 

Rolls-Royce said in a statement: “We continue to review all funding options to enhance balance sheet resilience and strength.”

---

Raytheon Technologies reveals plan to eliminate 15,000 jobs

Raytheon Technologies president and CEO Greg Hayes revealed plans to reduce the workforce across its aerospace and corporate organisations by 15,000 jobs. 

The organisations include jet engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney and aerospace and defence products supplier Collins Aerospace.  

Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Virtual 8th Annual Laguna Conference, Hayes said the impact of Covid-19 pandemic severely damaged its commercial aerospace divisions. 

---

Ryanair accesses unsecured Eurobond markets again with €850m issue

Irish budget airline Ryanair announced that it issued an €850m Eurobond at a fixed 2.875% for five years. 

It is the first bond in three years for Ryanair and the second by a European airline since the Covid-19 pandemic, Reuters reported. 

Last month, Finland flag carrier Finnair issued new euro-denominated in aggregate €200m capital securities. 

---

SpaceX successfully launches 60 more Starlink internet satellites

US rocket and spacecraft manufacturer SpaceX successfully launched its 12th Starlink satellite internet mission. 

A two-stage Falcon 9 rocket, carrying a new batch of 60 Starlink satellites, lifted off from launch complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US. 

The satellites were deployed approximately 15 minutes after lift-off. 

---

CASI report says China attacked Indian satellite communications in 2017

A new report by US-based China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) revealed that Indian satellite communications were attacked by China in 2017. 

The computer attack on Indian satellite communications is one of several cyberattacks carried out by China between 2007 and 2018. 

CASI provides high-quality, unclassified research and analysis on Chinese aerospace developments in support of decision and policymakers in the US Department of Defense and across the US Government. 

---

Covid-19: SIA to cut approximately 4,300 jobs across its airlines

The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group decided to cut 4,300 jobs, or approximately 20% of its staff, across its Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot amid the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The airline said the potential number of employees affected by the decision would come down to nearly 2,400 in Singapore and overseas. 

The reduction is the result of collective measures such as a recruitment freeze, natural attrition and voluntary departure schemes, which enabled the group to eliminate 1,900 positions. 

---

CPD selects United as official airline for 2020 presidential debates

US carrier United Airlines was chosen to serve as the official airline for the 2020 presidential debates. 

Selected by the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), United will transport 65 CPD staff and crew to all the four debates, starting 29 September. 

CPD executive director Janet Brown said: “The CPD is deeply grateful to United Airlines for generously supporting the health and safety of the crew that will produce the debates.”