Recently released IATA statistics show just a 2.4-percent year-over-year increase in January airline traffic, certainly reflecting the emerging effects of the coronavirus outbreak. But those figures undoubtedly will mark just the starting point of a precipitous capacity and revenue passenger mile (RPM) decline in February and beyond. Airlines around the world have slashed capacity and suspended routes to several countries hit by the Covid-19 virus, starting with the epicenter of the outbreak, China.
The Coronavirus impact on the aviation Industry
Mar 6, 2020 - 11:25 AM
The organizers of Germany’s annual Aero Friedrichshafen general aviation show today postponed the event because of issues surrounding the growing coronavirus threat. The show was scheduled to take place April 1 to 4.
Roland Bosch, head of the show, explained, “In accordance with the saying ‘Complete safety is an illusion; there are only varying degrees of risk and uncertainty,’ we were convinced right up until the end that we would be able to overcome the challenge we were facing in the coronavirus.
Mar 6, 2020 - 7:56 AM
Leonardo has suspended all international and domestic travel in the wake of the COVID-19 virus’s impact on Italy, but a spokesman told AIN today that the helicopter OEM’s “industrial operations remain active.”
Mar 5, 2020 - 9:17 AM
UK regional airline Flybe stopped all flights and entered administration Thursday morning, marking yet another airline bankruptcy in the country—the fourth since 2017—and across Europe.
Mar 2, 2020 - 2:33 PM
The Covid-19 virus has interrupted Vistara Airlines’ plans to launch international services to Tokyo Haneda Airport with one of six Boeing 787-9s that it has ordered, the first of which it took delivery directly from Boeing’s production plant in Everett, Washington on February 29. Holding a ceremony in New Delhi Monday to mark the launch of 787s services, India’s only private full-service airline also expressed uncertainty about its plans for international flying in general, although it estimated some sort of cross-border service could start any time between April and June.
Mar 2, 2020 - 12:36 PM
NBAA has published guidance and a list of resources for business aircraft operators when planning flights to and from countries affected by coronavirus (COVID-19). The guidance offers considerations for operators during flight planning, as well as resources for them to tap before, during, and after a mission.
Feb 28, 2020 - 9:08 AM
Drastic cuts in scheduled airline services in response to the COVID-19 virus outbreak and concern about public health risks spurred a significant surge in demand for private jet charter flights beginning in late January. However, restrictions on travel to some countries and concerns over risks to passengers and crew have meant that operators have had limited opportunity to capitalize on the situation.
Feb 27, 2020 - 11:27 AM
With the continuing spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Bombardier yesterday issued an advisory to owners and operators providing information on disinfecting their Learjet, Challenger, and Global aircraft. The advisory is in response to “several inquiries on procedures to manage aircraft” that have traveled or will travel to affected regions.
Feb 26, 2020 - 2:45 PM
Lufthansa is offering employees unpaid leave and deferring the hiring of new flight attendants and station personnel—even though they already started training—as part of a package of measures to limit the economic effect of the coronavirus outbreak “at an early stage.” In a statement released on Wednesday, Europe’s largest airline by revenue said that it will reassess, suspend, or defer all new planned hires to a later date. It plans to suspend flight attendant and station personnel training courses starting in April and continues to consider options to expand part-time work.
Feb 26, 2020 - 11:46 AM
Delta Air Lines plans to reduce the number of weekly flights it operates between the U.S. and Seoul-Incheon (ICN) South Korea, due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, the U.S. major carrier said Wednesday. Delta, which already suspended all service to China as of February 5, said it will suspend service between Minneapolis/St.
