Delta Air Lines CEO voices disagreement with Boeing CEO over potential major US airline failure
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said he believes the airline has "seen the worst" from the COVID-19 pandemic, with its revenue base increasing from 5% to "up to 10%" within the past four to six weeks (Fox Business, 20-May-2020). When asked to comment on Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun's prediction that a major US carrier will "most likely" go out of business, Mr Bastian said he does not agree with Mr Calhoun's assessment "at all", although he noted airlines may undergo "different restructuring activities" in the next few years.
United Airlines does not expect full recovery in travel demand 'until we get a vaccine': CEO
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the carrier is unlikely to experience a full recovery in travel demand "until we get a vaccine", although it anticipates a "continuous improvement in the demand environment" prior to a vaccine (CNBC, 20-May-2020). "I think even once we're past COVID...and we have a vaccine and people aren't worried about COVID anymore...the emphasis on safety and hygiene is going to be much more important...certainly onboard airplanes", he stated. "We're preparing United to go through...a pretty significant depress in demand for a long period of time", he noted, in order that it may "bounce back quickly" once a vaccine is produced.
IATA is 'determined that aviation will not be a significant source of re-infection'
IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said (20-May-2020) the association is "determined that aviation will not be a significant source of re-infection" and is working continuously with governments to ensure that any biosecurity measures put in place to allow a restart of international air travel "are done so consistently and with scientific backing". [more - original PR]
US Travel Association: Travel related unemployment hits 51%, industry 'already in a depression'
US Travel Association reported (19-May-2020) more than half of 15.8 million jobs related to travel in the US have been lost since the outbreak of COVID-19, resulting in travel related unemployment of 51%. "Our national economy is in a recession, but the travel industry is already in a depression", stated US Travel Association president and CEO Roger Dow. Travel related job losses represent 38% of all job losses through Apr-2020, or nearly 10 million Americans. Tourism Economics forecast travel spending in the US will total USD4.2 billion during the Memorial Day weekend, compared to USD12.3 billion in 2019. [more - original PR]
Ryanair Group CEO: UK inbound quarantine proposal 'not based on any science'
Ryanair Group CEO Michael O'Leary said the UK Government's proposed inbound quarantine is a "nonsensical, ineffective measure" which is "not based on any science" (BBC, 18-May-2020). Mr O'Leary said "face masks will eliminate about 98.5% of the risk of the spread of COVID-19" and is the only effective way to return economies to "some activity".
TTF outlines most desired travel destinations for Australians
Tourism and Transport Forum Australia (TTF) stated (19-May-3030) the first in a series of surveys on travel intentions conducted by Newgate Research for TTF explored travel intentions of Australians in the next six months as coronavirus restrictions are gradually lifted. TTF CEO Margy Osmond said results from respondents show that Australians are willing to travel once restrictions are eased. Queensland ranked as the most desired state to travel to, followed by New South Wales with 29%, Victoria with 22%, Tasmania achieving 14%, Western Australia and the Northern Territory both ranking with 11% and Canberra being favoured by 10% of respondents. Ms Osmond stated: "The most popular destinations are the Gold Coast with 53 per cent and the Sunshine Coast/Noosa with 36 per cent while 30 per cent said they would go to Brisbane and another 20 per cent chose Tropical North Queensland". [more - original PR]