Airlines
IATA Forecasts Staggering Job Losses
In a new analysis, IATA says that 25 million jobs could disappear as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline industry association points out that 65.5 million people are dependent on aviation for their livelihoods, with 2.7 million of those jobs being directly with airlines. In a scenario in which severe travel restrictions lasting for three months, IATA’s research calculated that 25 million jobs in aviation and related sectors are endangered across the world: 11.2 million jobs in Asia-Pacific 5.6 million jobs in Europe 2.9 million jobs in Latin America 2.0...
COVID-19: Restaurants, Your BDMs And Lots More
Canadian BDMs have a message for agents: Sit back, relax and feel the glow because your BDMs across Canada have a message for travel agents here. BDMs from 15 supplier companies -- Transat, Uplift, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Cunard, NCL, Hurtigruten, WestJet, Carnival, Insight, Canlink, Goway, Palace Resorts and Trafalgar -- joined forces to thank agents for their support during these difficult times and make it clear that they're there for them now and when the crisis has passed. And each of the BDMs also told agents to stay well, stay safe, stay home ... and, of...
Carriers Obligated To Provide Refunds: DOT
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an enforcement notice to airlines late last week, telling them that: “in the context of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, that U.S. and foreign airlines remain obligated to provide a prompt refund to passengers for flights to, within, or from the United States when the carrier cancels the passenger’s scheduled flight or makes a significant schedule change and the passenger chooses not to accept the alternative offered by the carrier.” DOT’s notice also said that the obligation of airlines to provide...
IATA AGM Postponed Until It’s Safe, Practicable
IATA is postponing its 76th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit that was set to be held from June 22-23 in Amsterdam. In making the announcement, IATA said that the events would be held “when it is both safe and practicable to do so.” The association indicated that it anticipates that will be in the late third or early fourth quarter of 2020 and it will make an announcement with the new details once a new date is confirmed. Alexandre de Juniac, director general and CEO of IATA, commented, “Our members are in the deepest crisis the air transport...
An Open Letter To Agents From IATA
In an open letter to travel agents around the world, IATA’s director general and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac explains how the industry association is handling BSP during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, as well as its position on vouchers versus refunds. IATA’s boss writes in his letter: “The global airline industry is going through its gravest crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting government- ordered border closings and mobility restrictions have brought air transport to a standstill. One-third of the global fleet is parked, and we estimate that revenue from passenger ticket...
Hold on… Agents’ Choice Will Be Back Shortly
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to dominate the hearts and minds of our industry, Baxter Media has decided to hit the pause button on its Agents’ Choice 2020 program. “While most of the travel agent community had voted prior to COVID-19 taking over, there are some who didn't get the chance to have their say,” said Wendy McClung, Executive VP, Operations at Baxter Media. “The Agents’ Choice program - survey, issue, and gala - is a celebration of our Canadian travel industry, and we want to hit pause until a time when the industry is back on track and we can all celebrate...
Aeroplan, Air Canada Send A Message
In a letter to Aeroplan members, Air Canada’s vice-president, loyalty and eCommerce, Mark Nasr writes: “These past few weeks have been truly unlike anything we've experienced before. For an organization that believes in the power of enriching our members lives through travel, we are acutely aware that your ability to connect with your friends and family has been instantly impacted.” “In light of these unprecedented times, we wanted to share an update on what we're doing to help and what we're focusing on, along with an important message from our President & CEO,...
Air Canada: Unprecedented Action, Unprecedented Times
Air Canada took further action to respond to “the unprecedented impact of Covid-19 upon its business,” reducing its 2020 second quarter capacity by 85% to 90% (compared to its 2019 Q2 capacity) and placing 15,200 members of its unionized workforce on Off Duty Status and furloughing about 1,300 managers. The workplace reductions will be effective on or about April 3 and are intended to be temporary. Calin Rovinescu, president and chief executive of Air Canada, said: “The unpredictable extent and duration of the Covid-19 pandemic requires a significant overall response. To...