IATA: Air cargo is essential to fight against COVID-19

More than “185,000 passenger flights have been cancelled since the end of January in response to government travel restrictions. With this, vital cargo capacity has disappeared when it is most urgently needed in the fight against COVID-19. The world’s fleet of freighter aircraft has been mobilized to make up this capacity shortfall. Governments must take […]

CEVA logistics mega airlift to keep supply chains moving

As part of an initiative to keep customer production lines moving around the world during the coronavirus outbreak, CEVA Logistics has contracted a range of 86 freighter aircraft to deliver parts and supplies to its customers. Operating on behalf of customers in the automotive, aerospace, computer and hi-tech electronics sectors, the charters are designed to […]

30,000 BA jobs at risk

British Airways has taken the unprecedented step of issuing a HR1 consultation notice for redundancies, which could put 30,000 jobs at risk. The GMB Union has demanded that the UK government steps in to bail out the airline and guarantee airline jobs and pay will be protected. Nadine Houghton, GMB’s national officer, said: “BA can’t […]

Two industry events postponed

The Nordic Air Cargo Symposium 2020, scheduled for Monday 20 April to Thursday 23 April in Copenhagen has been moved to November 24-25, 2020 at the same venue as originally planned: Radisson Blu Scandinavia, Copenhagen, Denmark. “We realise that due to the current Coronavirus outbreak, many delegates would have problems with travel bans, restrictions, unpredictable […]

Positive COVID-19 test in Alaska associated with cargo flight

On Thursday, March 12, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) was notified that an individual associated with an cargo flight tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The patient is a foreign national who developed a fever and respiratory symptoms shortly after arriving in Anchorage the day before. The patient immediately contacted their physician and […]

Aeroflot adjusts flight schedule for Italy, France, Germany and Spain

Aeroflot has temporarily suspended its flight schedule for Italy, France, Germany and Spain, from Moscow between March 13 and April 30 in an effort to restrict the spread of COVID-19. Locations affected will include, Alicante, Valencia, Malaga, Palma, Maseille, Lyon, Nice, Dresden, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, Stuttgart, Milan, Venice, Napoli, Verona and Bologna. Roysia flights under […]

Norwegian to cancel around 3000 flights

Norwegian airlines have announced that due to the COVID-19 outbreak they are preparing to cancel around 3,000 flights between mid-March and mid-June, which is around 15% of total capacity for this period. The reduction in demand on future bookings has meant Norwegian have had implement temporary layoffs of a significant share of its workforce. “This […]

COVID-19’s impact on Heathrow

“The threat of Coronavirus is an increasing challenge for the UK and we are working day and night to ensure Britain’s front door is open and safe for our people and passengers. We will continue to work with the Government to limit the impacts this will have on UK plc,” commented John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow CEO. […]

Challenger Air Cargo relaunch CGO Service

Challenge Air Cargo have relaunched their regular service to Zhengzou, China using their affiliate service CAL Cargo Airlines, following restrictive measures imposed after the COVID-19 outbreak. The three times rotation is operated on route TLV-LGG-CGO- LGG-TLV and is estimated to rapidly grow in frequencies. “We have taken significant measures to protect our crew members and […]

Delta actions to address financial impact of COVID-19

In addition to the significant efforts under way to protect the health and safety of its customers and employees, Delta Air Lines is announcing additional steps to address the financial impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. “In the weeks since COVID-19 emerged, Delta people have risen to the challenge, taking every possible action to take […]

Air Partner launches new product safeguard customers against coronavirus

Air Partner has launched a unique new product, Air Partner Protect, in response to the emergence and spread of COVID-19. The group has recently carried out a number of evacuations on behalf of the UK government, and has seen increased demand from customers looking for similar services with enhanced safeguarding measures in place. Air transportation and travel […]

Boeing employee diagnosed with COVID-19

Boeing has released a statement confirming they are providing full support to an employee at the Everett facility that has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is now in quarantine and is receiving care and treatment. Employees at the facility are following the advice of public health officials. As a precaution all employees that were […]

GMB hails Hermes £1 million pledge to help couriers in Coronavirus self-isolation

GMB, the union for lifestyle couriers, has hailed Hermes for pledging £1 million to support self-employed workers if they need to isolate themselves because of coronavirus. Hermes have said that they will find someone to deliver on behalf of the sick worker and will keep workers’ rounds open for when they return off sick leave. […]

A word from Flexport’s David Wystrach on Coronavirus

David Wystrach, Senior Director of Air Freight EMEA has warned of the impact of coronavirus on imports. Although it is still too early to predict the long-term impact, it is clear that sales revenue and inventory levels have dipped for many importers. “The slowdown in manufacturing in China has meant we’re already seeing the impact […]

Swiss WorldCargo suspends more flights

SWISS and Swiss WorldCargo have suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Israel between 8-28 March as Coronavirus chaos continues to disrupt flight routes globally. Flights to Tokyo, Osaka and Singapore will be reduced. Tokyo and Singapore will be served five times weekly, whereas Osaka will have two weekly flights until 24 April.As already announced, flights […]

Swiss WorldCargo extends China suspensions

In light of the current Coronavirus situation, SWISS and Swiss WorldCargo have made further adjustments on flights between Zurich and Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Flights between Zurich and Shanghai and Beijing will be suspended until 24 April. From 4 March to 30 May the frequency of flights to Hong Kong will be reduced to […]

TLX Cargo launches world’s first coronavirus cargo cover

TLX Cargo has launched the world’s first cargo cover that aims to protect cargo from coronavirus. The viral barrier material will seal cargo during transportation and will be both breathable and waterproof. There will be no stitching on the cover, rather it will be sealed with tape as an extra precaution. The material has passed […]

The aviation industry has taken the hit of coronavirus

“Airlines, aviation financing and plane makers – inherently vulnerable to the economic side-effects of a potential pandemic – faced challenges as the year began, ensuring they are now at growing risk of severe coronavirus-related disruption,” says Scope, specialist financial analysts. It is clear now that airlines will be particularly hard hit as they commit to […]

Delta cuts flights to South Korea

Delta has reduced flights to South Korea following the coronavirus outbreak. It is one of many airlines to take the decision to reduces flights to the region in aim of mitigating the spread of the disease. From 29 February to 30 April, the carrier will suspend service between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Incheon, with the last […]

Covid-19: The disruption continues for supply chains

Richard Wilding OBE, Professor of Supply Chain Strategy at the UK’s Cranfield University, comments on the latest challenges Covid-19 presents the supply chain. He points out that consumer demand for face masks is impacting on wider industry needs. “Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the latest problem that the Covid-19 virus is causing supply chain directors. […]

Qantas cuts flights in response to coronavirus

The Qantas Group has announced temporary reductions to flights across Asia in response to a drop in demand due to Coronavirus. The net profit impact of Coronavirus is estimated at between A$100 million to $150 million for FY20 – a figure softened by lower fuel prices. Reductions of around 5% will be made to Qantas […]

Air New Zealand provides update on impact of coronavirus on 2020 outlook

Air New Zealand’s update on its current estimate of the impact of coronavirus on FY 2020’s earnings is expected to show the airline has been adversely impacted as a result of softer demand for travel to and from Asian destinations. Weaker forward bookings for travel on the Tasman and domestic networks have also emerged as […]

Qatar contributes to coronavirus relief efforts

Five Qatar Airways Cargo freighters, two Boeing 747Fs and three Boeing 777Fs, have departed to China, 21 February, carrying around 300 tonnes of medical supplies that have been donated by the airline to support Coronavirus relief efforts. The flights which are headed to Beijing, Shangahi and Guangzhou, are part of the airlines voluntary offer of […]

Coronavirus infects airlines with potential $29.3 billion loss

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that its initial assessment of the impact of the Novel Coronavirus 2019 outbreak (COVID-19) shows a potential 13% full-year loss of passenger demand for carriers in the Asia-Pacific region – with a potential hit on airlinnes’ bottom-lines of $30 billion.. With fewer passenger planes flying, cargo carried in […]

SwissWorld Cargo coronavirus update

After thoroughly evaluating all currently available information on the Coronavirus, SWISS and Swiss WorldCargo have decided to extend the suspension of flights to/from Beijing and Shanghai until March 28 with immediate effect. Initially the flights had been suspended until February 29. Swiss WorldCargo will also adjust the capacities on its services to and from Hong […]

Updated Lufthansa Cargo special timetable for flights to and from China (mainland)

  The passenger airlines of the Lufthansa Group have suspended their flights to and from China (mainland without Hong Kong) until 29 February 2020. Nanjing, Shenyang and Qingdao will not be served by passenger aircraft until the end of the winter timetable on 28 March 2020. Accordingly, the belly capacities of these flights are not […]

Air France: Situation update – coronavirus

Air France’s top priority is the health and safety of its customers and employees in France and around the world. Air France has been working in close collaboration with the national and international health authorities since the outbreak of the coronavirus. After careful consideration of the developing situation, today the airline has decided to suspend […]

BA suspends China flights over coronavirus outbreak

British Airways has suspended all flights to and from mainland China with immediate effect over the coronavirus outbreak following advice from the British Foreign Office against all but essential travel to the country. “We apologise to customers for the inconvenience, but the safety of our customers and crew is always our priority,” said an airline […]