Aviation

   Says risk of transmission on board aircraft is low  Backs wearing of face masks  Airlines planning social distancing on-board their airplanes as a measure to bring back passengers’ confidence have been told to jettison the idea as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said it does not support mandating social distancing measures that would leave ‘middle seats’ empty.  Calls for social distancing measures on aircraft, according to the group would fundamentally shift the economics…

Leaves Gatwick for Heathrow airport, reduces costs  In response to the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic that has put global airlines in serious financial dire straits, Virgin Atlantic has announced strategies to reshape its business and come out of the problem stronger. Consequently, the airline announced the planned reduction of 3,150 jobs across all functions, just as it also disclosed that from today, it would will no longer use all of its seven 747-400s, with four A330-200 aircraft…

  Social distancing at airports would mean kilometre-long queues to board each jumbo jet, Heathrow’s chief executive has said. John Holland-Kaye warned the UK’s major airports do not have enough space for social distancing to be a solution to safe travel after the coronavirus lockdown ends, reports Sky News. “Forget social distancing, it won’t work in aviation or any other form of public transport, and the problem is not the plane, it is the lack of space…

  Action may erode gains, say experts Workers in the aviation industry have begun to fret over the plan by the Federal Government to implement the Stephen Oronsaye report that would merge about 102 Federal Government Agencies. Although, the aviation is not part of agencies that had been approved for merger, workers in the aviation industry are on the edge as they do not want to be caught unawares and indicated their desire to protest…

  Ahead of the partial relaxation of the Covid-19 lockdown billed to commence on Monday, staff of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) have been tasked to ensure full compliance with the directives and safety guidelines by the Federal Government and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on COVID-.19 preventive measures, including social distancing, regular washing of and/ or sanitizing of hands and wearing of face mask. Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu…

Airports Council International (ACI) World and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have called for governments to quickly grant financial relief to assist airport operators and airlines during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis and support the essential connectivity the industry will provide for economic recovery. The industry is united with governments around the world in efforts to stop the spread of the virus, and, in the face of massive government imposed travel restrictions, the industry is…

  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that its rescheduled 76th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit will take place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands on 23-24 November 2020. IATA’s 76th AGM and World Air Transport Summit will be hosted by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines at the RAI Convention Centre. The dates were selected in anticipation that government restrictions on travel will have been lifted and that the public health authorities in…

  Seeks FG’s assistance The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has expressed concern over the dwindling revenue of the agency following the continued lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The implication according to the authority could affect payment of workers’ salaries and provision of infrastructure at many of the country’s international airports. Legal Adviser to FAAN, Dr. Clifford Omozeghian, told journalists in Lagos that they would liaise with the Gederal Government to see how the issue of…

  90% work force proceed on leave without pay from May 1 As airlines’ cash reserve dries up, Nigeria’s flag carrier airline, Arik is showing vulnerability to COVID-19 pandemic as the airline has taken drastic measure to avoid the drop into extinction. Consequently, the carrier in a statement by its Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu said after careful deliberation and analyses, management has decided to implement an 80 per cent pay cut for all members…

  Propose tax waiver, bank grant moratorium for six months     The Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN) has urged the Federal Government to accord priority and prime attention to the tourism industry in all its economic stimulus, palliative and intervention initiatives to cushion as well as bring productive stability in the national economy that has suffered summersault due to the Covid-19 global pandemic. In a statement made available to Woleshadarenews, the National President…