Air Cargo Demand Slumps in February as COVID-19 Takes Hold
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released February 2020 data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in cargo tonne kilometers (CTKs*), decreased by 1.4% compared to the same period in 2019. Adjusting the comparison for the impact of the Lunar New Year, which fell in February in 2019, and the leap year […]
COVID-19: For Airlines, It Is Time To Give Nothing Less Than Their Best
As with every other major crisis facing the world, whether a global war or a pandemic, humanity prevails through unity, empathy, responsibility, and leadership. Tactical and momentary actions alone will not be enough, because we have to be prepared for a sustained period of strife. Governments and private sector organizations have a shared responsibility to […]
Remarks of Alexandre de Juniac at the IATA Media Briefing on COVID-19, 31 March 2020
Good afternoon from Geneva. And thank you all for joining from wherever you are in the world and whatever time it is for you. The situation of the airline industry remains grave. As you know, we have been working from a scenario of severe travel restrictions lasting for three months. That will cut industry revenues […]
Spirit Suspends Flights to and From Five Airports
In response to the growing number of coronavirus cases in the northeast of the U.S., Spirit Airlines will be suspending flights to and from five airports in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. In a statement to Fox News, Spirit confirmed that service to LaGuardia Airport, Niagara Falls International Airport, Plattsburgh International Airport, Hartford–Brainard Airport […]
American Airlines expects to receive USD12bn of USD50bn financial aid from US Govermentt
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker, in a video message to employees via the company’s official website, stated (26-Mar-2020) the carrier is «eligible to receive about USD12 billion» of the USD50 billion financial assistance package made available to the US airline industry by the government, as it is «the largest airline in the United States». «We […]
Competition Bureau issues report outlining competition concerns with Air Canada’s proposed acquisition of Transat
The Competition Bureau announced today it has concluded that Air Canada’s proposed acquisition of Transat is likely to result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition in the sale of air travel or vacation packages to Canadians. The Bureau’s concerns are outlined in a report delivered to the Minister of Transport by the Commissioner […]
IATA Welcomes EC Efforts to Keep Air Cargo Flowing
Ensuring smooth air cargo shipments is crucial. With the evaporation of passenger demand and cancellation of passenger flights, vital air cargo capacity has disappeared. Airlines are taking all measures to meet the remaining cargo demand. Unfortunately, airlines faced bottlenecks in getting appropriate permissions and crewing cargo flights amid quarantine restrictions. The result was delays to […]
U.S. Senate approves big rescue for struggling aviation sector
The U.S. Senate voted late Wednesday 96-0 to give the U.S. aviation industry $58 billion in a coronavirus-rescue package, half in the form of grants to cover some 750,000 employees’ paychecks, in a badly needed lifeline for an industry facing the worst travel downturn in history. The $2 trillion economic rescue package awards passenger airlines […]
COVID-19 and European airlines: zero capacity becomes a reality
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has summarised the priority for his airline, which applies equally to all airlines currently: to preserve cash. «If we have to operate for three, six, nine, maybe even 12 months, with no flights and no revenues how do we survive?», he said (Financial Times/Reuters, 21-Mar-2020). The main tool at airlines’ disposal […]
COVID19: Latin American airlines now dramatically cut capacity
The intensity of the COVID-19 coronavirus has upended the global airline industry, and now airlines in Latin America are starting to face the severity of the virus’ rapid spread. Airlines operating in the region are taking action that mirrors those of operators across the world, including slashing capacity to unheard-of levels. Copa is warning of […]
