Sadly, it almost goes without saying that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption to the aviation industry. No part of it, so far, has been more damaged than the airline sector. On a rolling basis as the virus spread around the globe from March, airlines were either completely grounded by government lockdowns or saw demand collapse due to an unwillingness or inability of passengers to make trips.
The Coronavirus impact on the aviation Industry
Jul 17, 2020 - 12:07 PM
As commercial airlines attempt to fill seats amid the Covid-19 pandemic, some families, businesses, and individuals have made a flight to safety by traveling again or for the first time on private aircraft.
These travelers set their schedules and itineraries for on-demand business or personal flights. They can travel to about 5,300 public-use airports in the U.S., roughly 10 times the number of airports available to commercial aircraft. International airport access expands the flexibility to travel globally. Travelers greatly value saving travel time, the healthy and safe environment, productivity, and convenience of private aircraft while enjoying a comfortable, interconnected, and protected flight experience.
Although the reasons to fly privately may be obvious, especially in the age of Covid-19, deciding on the right providers and approaches to flying are more complex. Three modes of aircraft travel involve no capital investment: chartering, jet or fraction cards, and membership programs. Each of these options holds strong attributes for new and some repeat flyers. Two other options require capital outlays for frequent flyers: purchasing a whole aircraft or a fractional share of an aircraft.
Jul 17, 2020 - 11:36 AM
U.S. business aviation activity was down by 30.8 percent through the first six months, according to the statistics from Argus‘s just-released TraqPak 2020 Mid-Year Business Aviation Review, while overall flight hours declined by just under 30 percent. Due to disruptions from the global Covid pandemic, the industry has seen declines over 2019 numbers for each month, with a rapid downturn in mid-March and the start of a recovery a month later.
Jul 17, 2020 - 8:08 AM
British Airways on Friday said it has retired “with immediate effect” its 31 Boeing 747s, adding that the airplanes have “likely” flown their last commercial service. The airline attributed the abrupt decision to accelerate the retirements to Covid-19 effects.
Jul 16, 2020 - 12:11 PM
Aviation employment website JSfirm is enhancing its utility to industry job seekers during this period of uncertainty with several free services including resume reviews and daily job posting alerts.
Users with a free account on the company’s website can request a review of their resume from one of JSfirm’s professional member advocates, who will rate its effectiveness. For people needing extra assistance, additional resume services are available.
Jul 16, 2020 - 12:05 PM
Bombardier's Safety Standdown 2020, originally scheduled to take place August 25 to 27 in Wichita, will be held virtually this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the company announced today. “Because of the importance of Safety Standdown among the aviation community, we are currently exploring ways to bring this must-attend event to you in a virtual format, enabling you to explore cutting-edge safety information in the comfort of your own home,” it said.
Jul 16, 2020 - 10:04 AM
A rebound in global business aviation activity continues, but a resurgence of Covid-19 infections and new restrictions in the U.S. threaten that recovery, according to WingX Advance’s latest Global Market Tracker. Through the first two weeks of July, activity is off by 19 percent compared with the same period last year while the rolling seven-day average peaked at just under 16,000 flights in July versus the pandemic low of under 4,000 flights in April.
Jul 15, 2020 - 10:34 AM
With air charter demand rising due to returning and new customers entering the market amidst Covid-19 concerns, the Air Charter Association (ACA) and EBAA are warning of increased online fraud.
Jul 14, 2020 - 12:24 PM
Virgin Atlantic said on Tuesday that it has reached funding agreements worth £1.2 billion ($1.51 billion) from private investors as part of a plan to recapitalize the ailing airline. Calling it “a big step forward in securing its future,” Virgin Atlantic reported the plan covers a five-year period and, in management’s estimation, would return the airline to profitability by 2022. The recapitalization will deliver the refinancing package over the next 18 months and bolster “self-help measures” already taken and expected to result in cost savings of some £280 million per year.
Jul 14, 2020 - 12:15 PM
North American business aircraft flight activity gained back another one-third of Covid-19-related losses last month, as flying increased 40 percent from May, according to TraqPak data released yesterday by Argus International. And while activity was still off 25.7 percent from last June, the company is forecasting further recovery this month, predicting July will be 17 percent below year-ago levels.
