American Airlines has reported a first-quarter net loss of $2.2 billion, or $5.26 per share. Excluding net special items, first-quarter net losses totaled $1.1 billion. Revenue at the US-based carrier dropped nearly 20 per cent year-on-year to $8.52 billion. “Never before has our airline, or our industry, faced such a significant challenge,” said American Airlines chief executive, Doug Parker. “We have moved quickly and aggressively to reduce our costs and bolster our liquidity. “We are particularly grateful for the $5.8 billion in financial assistance American will receive through the payroll support program, and we appreciate the bipartisan congressional and United…
Author: holidayweekly
ISTANBUL: Turkish Airlines will only begin operating domestic and international flights after May 28, the company announced on Tuesday. Turkey’s national flag carrier said the decision to extend the suspension of operations has been taken in the public interest. “In accordance with decisions taken by the state authorities, all flights have been suspended until May 28, 2020, in order to protect public health in light of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,” read a statement issued by the airline. The company had earlier suspended all international flights through May 20, while domestic flights were suspended through May 1. “We know it…
LONDON: British Airways may be forced to cut more than a quarter of its workforce as the coronavirus pandemic takes its toll on one of Europe’s biggest airlines. Parent company IAG (ICAGY) said in a statement day that British Airways is notifying labor unions about a restructuring program which will affect most employees and “may result in the redundancy of up to 12,000 of them.” IAG, which also includes Spanish airline Iberia, said its first quarter revenues declined 13% to €4.6 billion ($5 billion) as it swung to an operating loss of €535 million ($579 million). The airline group warned…
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) chartered flight will depart for Washington on May 12 to bring back stranded countrymen, sources told. The national flag carrier after approval from the US for direct flights to repatriate stranded Pakistanis has started planning the flights schedule. The flight to US will fly back on May 10 to Lahore International Airport carrying 250 passengers. Four additional flights will depart from Islamabad airport for Dubai and the UK. The arrangement was made after PIA was allowed to operate direct flights to the US to airlift its stranded citizens last week. The permission was granted by…
MAKKAH: Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques gave glad tidings to the faithful, with his reassuring words: “Days would come (soon) when worshipers return to the Two Holy Mosques.” [huge_it_slider id=”540″] In a video, transmitted by various media outlets and posted on official social media accounts, Sheikh Al-Sudais said: “Days (will come) when the sorrow will be driven away from the Islamic Ummah and we return to the Two Holy Mosques for tawaf (circumambulation around the Holy Kaa’ba), sa’i (the ritual of hastening between the hills of Safa and…
KARACHI: Recently TAAP wrote a letter to CEO PIA and expressed its dismay and reservation about the changed policy of PIA whereby travel agents are not allowed to sell PIA tickets. In this difficult time when travel agents of Pakistan were looking towards national institutions for support, this new policy created more economic worries for them. In the letter TAAP congratulated CEO PIA for winning the case and taking charge of the national carrier once more. The Chairman TAAP wrote, “With you at the helm, we had started to see a turnaround in PIA’s fortunes. Sadly, due to the ongoing…
DOHA: Qatar Airways is still operating flights to 35 cities around the world including London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Sydney, helping thousands of passengers get home safely. “We are still operating flights to 35 destinations around the world while upholding the safety and security of our passengers and employees at all times,” the airline said on Twitter. The airline also cautioned passengers that schedules may change at short notice as government around the world are imposing various restrictions on entry. It also urged travelers to check the entry restrictions of their destination country before travelling. “Please be advised that, due to…
DOHA: This is pretty unbelievable, on 30th April two Qatar Airways aircraft parked next to one another at Doha Hamad International Airport collided due to strong winds. The planes in question were an Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-8. At the time of the incident there was a storm, with winds gusting from 19 knots to 61 knots (or 22 to 70 mph). The two planes were parked next to one another with quite a bit of space between them. Over the course of about a minute, the 787 turned 90 degrees and then started moving towards the A350, before finally…
AZERBAIJAN: The Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB), together with the State Tourism Agency (STA) of the Republic of Azerbaijan and in cooperation with Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (AQTA), has announced the launch of an innovative program called Sahman (Sanitation and Hygiene Methods and Norms). “Sahman,” meaning “immaculateness” in Azerbaijani, is a nationwide campaign set to transform Azerbaijan’s existing health, safety and hygiene standards. Supported by the UNWTO, it also reaffirms the country’s commitment towards providing a world-class tourism destination for its citizens and future visitors alike in the post-pandemic world. ATB is finalising talks with international firm…
Norwegian Cruise Line has pushed back its potential return to operations into June. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed it was extending the suspension of all sailings across its fleet through to June 30th Services across its brands – which also include Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises – are tentatively pencilled in to resume on July 1st. Norwegian Cruise Line had initially scrapped all sailings before May 11th. The company said it would continue to work with the US Centres for Disease Control & Prevention, the federal government and global public health authorities to take “all…