CHICAGO: United Airlines on Monday reported a $2.1 billion pre-tax loss between January and March, the first U.S. carrier to place a dollar amount on first quarter carnage, a period in which demand went from strong to nearly non-existent within weeks because of a once-in-a-century global pandemic. First quarter generally is weakest for U.S airlines, but United has in recent years been making money, reporting $367 million in profit in the first three months of last year. As recently as January, executives expected another strong quarter, reporting reasonable demand in most markets, including China. Then it all came crashing down.…
Author: holidayweekly
KARACHI: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Sunday made it mandatory for passengers travelling between April 18-30 to submit their health forms, which include information on flu, cold, cough, and sore throat also states that passengers should enter quarantine if the relevant health officer deems it necessary. The authority stated that all standard operating procedures (SOPs) mentioned in the health forms will be strictly implemented and passengers are also bound to oblige if the quarantine period is extended and pay for food advised by officials. Moreover, passengers will be liable to penalties if they provide providing wrong or false information,…
The coronavirus outbreak has provoked a string of unsettling sights, such as the sudden widespread use of masks, shuttered businesses and deserted streets. Another unusual phenomenon is also playing out in the skies, near-empty airplanes flying through the air. Widespread travel restrictions around the world have slashed demand for air travel, with more than eight in 10 flights canceled. But there is a disparity in the US – while the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has reported a 96% slump in passenger volume, to a level not seen since 1954, this hasn’t been matched by the number of flights being scrapped.…
GENEVA: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is offering free access to online training courses for up to 5,000 aviation workers as part of its efforts to help the industry through the COVID-19 crisis. Current employees – or those who wish to become a part of the aviation or related industries – can select one from eight of IATA’s most popular e-learning courses to strengthen their industry knowledge and skills: Aviation Competition Law Destination Geography Travel Agency Fees: A Professional Approach Accounting and Financial Management for Travel Agencies Geography in Travel Planning Distribution and Airline Retailing Diversity and Inclusion Aviation…
SINGAPORE: In continued response to the impact of the COVID-19 global outbreak and the recent order from the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Princess Cruises is canceling all voyages through June 30, 2020. The cruise line had previously announced a voluntary pause for two months (60 days), impacting voyages departing March 12 to May 10, 2020. In addition, Princess Cruises can confirm modifications to the Alaska season, which includes the cancellation of all Princess Alaska Gulf cruise and cruisetours. The five wilderness lodges, trains and buses operated by Princess in Alaska will not open this summer. We will…
WASHINGTON: The U.S. travel industry has submitted a new list of policy requests to Congress as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the industry, the U.S. Travel Association announced on Friday. The policy measures proposed include adding $600 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and extending the coverage period through the end of the year. U.S. Travel also wants lawmakers to expand eligibility for the PPP to local and regional destination marketing organizations (DMOs) as well as small businesses with fewer than 500 employees operating in multiple locations. Plus, the organization is pushing for Congress to…
RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has scheduled 23 special flights to repatriate stranded Pakistanis from the UK, China, Algeria, Dubai and Indonesia from April 18 to April 20. The special flights will operate from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad and Peshawar, although international flight operation has not been restarted fully. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it was a limited flight operation. The aviation division’s spokesperson said that due to limited facility of quarantine for passengers landing at Islamabad airport, a limited number of flights were being scheduled for other major cities as the quarantine facilities in those cities…
DUBAI: Seeking to quell concerns among travellers, Emirates has updated its Covid-19 travel waiver policies. The airline hopes to now present one simplified approach for rebooking and refunds on tickets issued in all its global markets. Adnan Kazim, Emirates chief commercial officer, said: “The travel and airline industry have complicated rulebooks for how fares, re-bookings or refunds are applied, which also differ depending on market regulation. “We understand that explaining and unravelling all of that is confusing and frustrating for customers. “The Covid-19 pandemic is unprecedented for everyone, and we’d like to thank our customers and trade partners for their…
SEATTLE: Boeing said it will resume all commercial airplanes production in a phased approach at its Puget Sound-region facilities in the US state of Washington next week, after suspending operations last month in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. At all of its sites, the company has taken extra precautions and instituted comprehensive procedures to keep people safe and fight the spread of Covid-19, a Boeing statement said. “The health and safety of our employees, their families and communities is our shared priority,” said Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes and senior executive in the Pacific Northwest. “This…
WASHINGTON: Boeing customers canceled a staggering number of 737 Max orders last month. Boeing on Tuesday posted 150 cancellations of its beleaguered 737 Max jets in March, the most in decades, the company said. Brazilian airline Gol canceled 34 of the narrow-body planes and leasing firm Avolon scrapped orders for 75 of them, a move it announced earlier this month. Net cancellations in the month totaled 119 thanks to 31 orders for wide-body passenger planes and military aircraft. That brought net orders Boeing removed from its order list in first three months of the year to 307 planes, a sharp…