Why Middle East airlines may see tough times ahead

In tonight's edition: Bereaved families who lost loved ones aboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 converged on the crash site on to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy. In Nigeria, the influential former Emir of Kano speaks out after being removed from his position. His lawyers say his treatment is unconstitutional. Finally, we head to Morocco where women are gaining ground on the rap scene largely dominated by men.

The boss of Airbus, Guillaume Faury, has said the Covid-19 pandemic represents "the gravest crisis the aerospace industry has ever known", as the company reported a slump in revenues and losses of €481 million in the first three months of 2020. Air travel has almost completely stopped due to the coronavirus, and uncertainty over when it will restart means Airbus is unable to provide guidance on how its business will perform for the rest of the year. Also today, the French government is beefing up its supervision of non-EU companies buying stakes in French firms.

The CEO of French aerospace giant Safran has warned of major job cuts in the coming months, and the need for a bailout of the aerospace industry because of the plunge in travel during the coronavirus crisis. Some 45 percent of the company's revenue is earned directly from airlines. Philippe Petitcolin told FRANCE 24: "This business… has totally disappeared over the last two months." He warned of significant job cuts to come at the company, which employs around 95,000 people globally.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought everyday air traffic to a halt. But African airlines are preparing to take to the skies once more. Many airlines are facing a difficult path ahead to stay competitive.

American Airlines has created a new policy allowing staff members to wear Black Lives Matter pins while on duty. While many support the move, others consider it to be offensive.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Thursday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Thursday.

Several Middle Eastern countries are calling for boycotts of French products after President Emmanuel Macron defended cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. The French government is urging an end to the backlash. Also, China gets set to update its five-year economic plan, and Samsung could be in for an ownership shakeup following the death of Chairman Lee Kun-hee.

Airlines count losses over drop in passenger traffic

Price of tickets fall as more airlines compete on local routes

The plane's nonappearance took its original destination in Zambia by surprise. As the pilot informed air traffic control that he was about to land, they told him: "We can't see you."

United Airlines' workers facilitate the first shipment of ventilators from Chicago to Delhi on Wednesday evening. The ventilators were donated by the US-India Chamber of Commerce in Dallas-Fort Worth.

London to New York may again be possible in under 4 hours after the US-based airline struck a deal for 15 ultrafast jets. Regular commercial supersonic flights have not been seen since 2003.