Impact of the coronavirus crisis on aviation

[TLspotting]

Virgin Atlantic boss asks £4.5B to Boris Johnson "to survive until at least autumn"

AA suspends 75% of its international flights until 6 May, all are cancelled except, DFW - LHR, MIA - LHR (both daily flight), DFW - NRT (3 weekly flights), to Canada, Mexico, Carribbean Islands and Central America.

Suspended flights for Transavia France : Tunisia and Morocco (except return flights), until 28 March, Turkey until 17 April, Czech Republic / Italy / Jordan until 31 March, Israel until 2 April, Lebanon until 30 March.

Air Senegal suspends Morocco from 16 until 31 March.

Suspended AF flights : to Casablanca, Marrakesh, Rabat, Houston, Caracas, Lima, Buenos Aires, Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Amman, Beirut, Italy, Vienna, St. Petersburg, China, Taipei, HK, Seoul.

Lauda cancels almost its entire schedule between 17 and 31 March. PMI, DUS, STR bases temporarily closed. Only Vienna to Charleroi, Stansted, Stuttgart and Dublin routes are operated.

ADP closes from Wednesday ; CDG T2E (Hall M), CDG T2G, CDG T3 and Orly 2.

[rwandan-flyer]

Air Senegal suspends Morocco from 16 until 31 March.

They also suspend flights to Barcelona (French): https://actualitesenegal.info/societe/a ... barcelone/

Covid is starting to spread across Sub-Saharan Africa. Most of time, they are imported cases, from Europe. Some countries are already "in lokcdown": Sénégal, Sudan and Rwanda.

Sub-Saharan Africa was surely the only region where EU airlines were able to deploy a little capacity. And the consequences for African airlines, which are weaker than Asian, European or North American airlines, are likely to be bad.

[sean1982]

China has really outdone itself this time ... They should be at least held partly responsible for this worldwide economic damage

[nordikcam]

China has really outdone itself this time ... They should be at least held partly responsible for this worldwide economic damage

+1 Way of life and above all an attempt to silence the whistleblowers. China is not a dictatorship for nothing!

[rwandan-flyer]

China has really outdone itself this time ... They should be at least held partly responsible for this worldwide economic damage

But they send teams to help Italians, to fight against the virus, where is the European solidarity ?

It seems that some Asians countries ((Japan, South Korea or Taiwan) had better reactions than us, despite, they were hardly hit during the first weeks. We have also learn, from them.

While we took some measures in France, people are still in the street, go to see friends or family.

Back to the Aviation topic

About me, i just go out from my flat, just to go to work at the airport, and after i stay home. I will have some shifts in coming days and probably also lots of day off. I will stay at home, during my days off.

Today, it was the last flight for Singapore Airlines at Paris CDG (only 20 pax to SIN). I have talked with the CDG ground staff. They took some selfies, in front of the aircraft. They were very moved. I don't know what does it mean ? Is SQ is in very big trouble ? No one can say, when everything will end, which airlines will close its doors.

All Duty Free shops, Mcdonadls were closed at CDG T1. Only Relay, pharmacy and bakery were opened

[sn26567]

Today, it was the last flight for Singapore Airlines at Paris CDG (only 20 pax to SIN). I have talked with the CDG ground staff. They took some selfies, in front of the aircraft. They were very moved. I don't know what does it mean ? Is SQ is in very big trouble ? No one can say, when everything will end, which airlines will close its doors.

SQ is not an exception. Resuming normal schedules will be hard for every airline. I guess that the weakest players will be wiped out, unless they get Government support like Alitalia.

In Europe, the EU will have to play an important role to ensure that State help does not distort competition.

[rwandan-flyer]

Kenya Restricts Foreign Travel, Suspends School on Coronavirus

Kenya halted the entry of foreigners from countries that have confirmed coronavirus cases and suspended schools in a bid to reduce the risk of contagion within the East African country.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... oronavirus


Djibouti has announced the suspension of all passenger flights to and from the Republic of Djibouti, from 18 March - Only cargo aircraft will be operated (French) https://twitter.com/MinSantedj/status/1 ... 5316414465

Ghana will from Tuesday ban entry to anyone who has been to a country with more than 200 cases in the last 14 days, unless they are an official resident or a Ghanaian national.https://nationalpost.com/pmn/health-pmn ... rus-spread

Uganda restricts travel from 16 countries including UK and US because of coronavirus https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/12/afri ... index.html


It will start to be complicated for Brussels Airlines and Air France which have a big network, in Africa.

[Bracebrace]

Certainly possible and probably imminent on a European level.

Nope, cargo keeps flying (and has to).

It's about passengers flights here...

Define "here"?
Define the rule "only passengers"?

The statement was about European airspace closing... that means closed for everyone.

[rwandan-flyer]

Covid-19: Air France to put 80% of its employees into partial unemployment

The French company drastically reduces its offer, while its cash is quickly drained. The state is preparing a recapitalization of the severely weakened company.

(French) https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article ... _3234.html

Redundancies loom for Air New Zealand as it cuts capacity by 85 percent https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2 ... rcent.html

UPDATE 1-South Africa's Ramaphosa declares state of disaster over COVID-19

Measures to be taken include travel bans to countries such as Italy, Germany, China and the United States. The government will also prohibit gatherings of more than 100 people and cancel large events and celebrations, he said. https://www.reuters.com/article/health- ... SL8N2B8163

[Poiu]

Nope, cargo keeps flying (and has to).

The statement was about European airspace closing... that means closed for everyone.

Sorry, indeed, I forgot about the freight dogs, there is a high probability they will keep on flying. If they are allowed to do so they will do good business, at least one little positive thing!

[flightlover]

In this situation cargo will be playing a vital role to keep the economy primed for the moment normal live can restart. And also for bringing in vital supplies like safety clothing etc. for the medical staff in hospitals.
A draw-back of globalisation is that local production in Western Europe is not sufficient in situations like this.

[Inquirer]

AF-KLM to all but stop flying for the next 2 months.

https://nos.nl/artikel/2327248-air-fran ... virus.html

KLM plans to ground almost its entire fleet as it expects capacity cuts of 70 - 90% to be implemented soon. The Dutch government has pledged 'to do whatever it takes' to save KLM and AMS.

Also, Easyjet is reportedly going to stop flying and is begging for coordinated financial support from European governments by the same sourse.

I have a feeling survival will predominantely depend on who gets unlimited backing of a national government: systemic flag carriers are probably going to be bailed out by their respective governments, but the pan-european lowcosts like Easyjet, Wizzair, Ryanair etc could be toast as there's likely not immediately anybody willing to step in for them. Just imagine a year from now: Alitalia surfing high, with say Easyjet down the drain for instance!

[Boavida]

This crisis is an absolute disaster for the aviation industry. The scale is unseen.

I hope most airlines will survive (with state aid if necessary)

[Poiu]

AF-KLM to all but stop flying for the next 2 months.

https://nos.nl/artikel/2327248-air-fran ... virus.html

KLM plans to ground almost its entire fleet as it expects capacity cuts of 70 - 90% to be implemented soon. The Dutch government has pledged 'to do whatever it takes' to save KLM and AMS.

Also, Easyjet is reportedly going to stop flying and is begging for coordinated financial support from European governments by the same sourse.

I have a feeling survival will predominantely depend on who gets unlimited backing of a national government: systemic flag carriers are probably going to be bailed out by their respective governments, but the pan-european lowcosts like Easyjet, Wizzair, Ryanair etc could be toast as there's likely not immediately anybody willing to step in for them. Just imagine a year from now: Alitalia surfing high, with say Easyjet down the drain for instance! :shock:j

Airlines won’t be the only ones needing bailout. The amount of state aid needed will be huge and just as with intensive care units choices will have to be made. Priority will probably go to those providing essential public transport, but, I’m afraid there won’t be money to support businesses which were not viable before the crisis. There was already quite some overcapacity in aviation before the crisis, as demand will certainly be lower for a considerable amount of time, it’s useless and a waste of money to keep that artificially alive. Doing so would only distort the market even more and lead to a bloodbath once state aid comes to an end.
There are hardly any flag carriers, all the big ones, IAG, AF-KLM and LHgroup are all transnational. Mrs Merkel doesn’t give a toss about saving Brussels Airlines, whilst the Belgian government will want to make sure no Belgian money flows to Germany. Support at European level seems thus very logical.

[eurojet]

from a friend who works there .. in the meanwhile CargoLux (and other specialised cargo airlines) are making a killing. No more carge transported in passenger planes, so all 30 B747 are flat out, with cargo prices skyrocketing and fuel prices super low .. "De één zijn dood, de nader zijn brood.."... Biggest issue: avoiding crew to get sick ...

[Conti764]

It's not a secret a lot of SN's Africa revenue comes from cargo, sometimes even more so then from pax... Might it offer some opportunities for SN to keep flying the A330-fleet to Africa with cargo, even with a near empty passenger cabin?

[flightlover]

It's not a secret a lot of SN's Africa revenue comes from cargo, sometimes even more so then from pax... Might it offer some opportunities for SN to keep flying the A330-fleet to Africa with cargo, even with a near empty passenger cabin?

With prices for cargo on the up, some airlines that offered cargo transport before will take a good look at the viability of this scenario. Others, like Ryanair have no choice than to cut capacity and hope the crisis will not last that long and people will start flying again real soon.
The one thing Ryanair can take as a plus instead of a minus right now is the lack of B737 being delivered by Boeing.

[lumumba]

AF-KLM to all but stop flying for the next 2 months.

https://nos.nl/artikel/2327248-air-fran ... virus.html

KLM plans to ground almost its entire fleet as it expects capacity cuts of 70 - 90% to be implemented soon. The Dutch government has pledged 'to do whatever it takes' to save KLM and AMS.

Also, Easyjet is reportedly going to stop flying and is begging for coordinated financial support from European governments by the same sourse.

I have a feeling survival will predominantely depend on who gets unlimited backing of a national government: systemic flag carriers are probably going to be bailed out by their respective governments, but the pan-european lowcosts like Easyjet, Wizzair, Ryanair etc could be toast as there's likely not immediately anybody willing to step in for them. Just imagine a year from now: Alitalia surfing high, with say Easyjet down the drain for instance!

But Easyjet is British and Ryanair is Irish so this two states enjoy for years the benefits of this airlines giving them special treatments now they have to take care of them!

[CTBke]

AF-KLM to all but stop flying for the next 2 months.

https://nos.nl/artikel/2327248-air-fran ... virus.html

KLM plans to ground almost its entire fleet as it expects capacity cuts of 70 - 90% to be implemented soon. The Dutch government has pledged 'to do whatever it takes' to save KLM and AMS.

Also, Easyjet is reportedly going to stop flying and is begging for coordinated financial support from European governments by the same sourse.

I have a feeling survival will predominantely depend on who gets unlimited backing of a national government: systemic flag carriers are probably going to be bailed out by their respective governments, but the pan-european lowcosts like Easyjet, Wizzair, Ryanair etc could be toast as there's likely not immediately anybody willing to step in for them. Just imagine a year from now: Alitalia surfing high, with say Easyjet down the drain for instance!

But Easyjet is British and Ryanair is Irish so this two states enjoy for years the benefits of this a airlines giving them special treatments now they have to take care of them!

I think Ireland's priority goes to Aer Lingus while obviously for the UK it goes to BA over Easyjet.

[lumumba]

AF-KLM to all but stop flying for the next 2 months.

https://nos.nl/artikel/2327248-air-fran ... virus.html

KLM plans to ground almost its entire fleet as it expects capacity cuts of 70 - 90% to be implemented soon. The Dutch government has pledged 'to do whatever it takes' to save KLM and AMS.

Also, Easyjet is reportedly going to stop flying and is begging for coordinated financial support from European governments by the same sourse.

I have a feeling survival will predominantely depend on who gets unlimited backing of a national government: systemic flag carriers are probably going to be bailed out by their respective governments, but the pan-european lowcosts like Easyjet, Wizzair, Ryanair etc could be toast as there's likely not immediately anybody willing to step in for them. Just imagine a year from now: Alitalia surfing high, with say Easyjet down the drain for instance!

But Easyjet is British and Ryanair is Irish so this two states enjoy for years the benefits of this a airlines giving them special treatments now they have to take care of them!

I think Ireland's priority goes to Aer Lingus while obviously for the UK it goes to BA over Easyjet.

I understand but Easyjet and Ryanair Can't win on all fronts...