How can airlines best ensure the safety of their passengers on board? Airline trade group IATA used its weekly briefing to highlight several factors that play into the reduction of potential virus transmission with blocking middle seats seen as a wholly unnecessary measure, so long as other practices are followed.
IATA
Argentina plans to restart flights in September 2020
Like many countries around the world Argentina grounded its air traffic network in March 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The country now has a tentative reopening date for the industry: 1 September 2020.
Inflight social distancing will kill short-haul LCC travel: IATA
Blocking middle seats or even sitting passengers every other row is not a problem when load factors hover in the mid-teens, occasionally peaking at 30% for an especially busy flight. But if social distancing rules remain in place IATA executives believe the LCC market could collapse as a financially unsustainable endeavor.
Cancelled flights, vouchers and the airline cash flow crunch
Tens of thousands of cancelled flights. Millions of impacted travelers. Billions of dollars in limbo. And airlines are doing everything they can – including ignoring laws – to keep the money.
IATA anticipates recession, slower recovery, as COVID-19 impact drag on
IATA no longer expects a “V-shaped” recovery for airlines as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow. For the past several weeks the aviation trade group presented dire financial forecasts that included a sharp bounce back for the industry. In a media briefing this morning Brian Pearce, IATA’s chief economist, acknowledged that this time it is different, and not in a good way.
Airlines get a break on coronavirus EC261 comp, looking for more
Airlines received a sliver of good news on Wednesday when the European Commission agreed that cancellations related to the COVID-19 coronavirus should be considered “extraordinary” circumstances within the context of EC261 rules. Still, they expressed concerns that the relief doesn’t go far enough.
Regulators suspend slot rules, opening door to deeper airline cuts
Expect to see another tranche of significant cuts from airlines in the coming days, lasting through June 2020. EU regulators are the latest to approve a change to the way airport slots are accounted for, opening up the opportunity for carriers to trim flights and conserve cash as the COVID-19 crisis wears on.
Massive cuts, uncertain recovery timelines for aviation in the face of COVID-19
What a week. In the face of the steepest global demand drop airlines have seen in a decade the cuts came, quick and deep. The COVID-19/Coronavirus outbreak will upend commercial aviation this year. The big question now is just how much, and what the longer-term impact will look like.
Flybe halts operations, enters Administration
Wednesday evening marked the end for embattled British regional airline Flybe. The carrier entered administration (a UK version of bankruptcy protection) and ceased operations. All future flights are canceled, leaving passengers, airports and employees across the United Kingdom to wonder what the future holds.
IATA pushes for suspension of slot usage requirements due to COVID-19
Long term or short term planning? Balancing both is hard for airlines and the slot rules at crowded airports make it even harder. But IATA faces challenges in getting its members the allowances they want.