Article from BTNews 16 MARCH 2020
Shutdown fears as crisis continues
Airline chiefs are expected to submit a new appeal to the government today, Monday, to seek help for the industry in the face of COVID-19. It follows British Airways’ warning it was facing a “battle for survival” as the crisis continues (see this issue).
A worldwide aviation shutdown is now being openly discussed after more flight cuts were announced over the weekend as more countries brought in restrictions on travel and said arriving passengers would face mandatory quarantine measures.
The Airlines UK group, led by CEO Tim Alderslade, sent what was described as a “a stark message” to Downing Street, saying: "We're talking about the future of UK aviation, one of our world-class industries, and unless the government pulls itself together who knows what will be left once we get out of this mess?”
Yesterday and Saturday saw the industry facing yet more troubles as the US extended its ban on people entering the country to include the UK and Ireland as well as Europe.
Crucially for the likes of British Airways and Qantas, Australia followed New Zealand in saying it would require all arriving passengers to spend 14 days in self-isolation.
The world’s second biggest carrier, American Airlines, said on Saturday it would begin a phased suspension of nearly all long-haul international flights from today because of lack of demand. Others are expected to follow.
www.britishairways.com https://airlinesuk.org
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