On the Go – May 7, 2020

Industry News – Click on the title to read the full article. Many of the sources below require a free registration to gain access to the article. If a paid registration is required, the individual source will be noted.

Airlines

CEO: Flying Nearly Empty Planes is “Unsustainable” (Source: CNBC)
The cost of “operating nearly empty flights to communities with little to no demand significantly exacerbates air carrier liquidity,” Nicholas Calio, president and CEO of Airlines for America, told a Senate committee, noting that US air travel demand has dropped 96% in April to the lowest level since before the jet age. “Carriers and communities alike are going to have to come together and acknowledge the footprint and frequency of service in 2019 cannot convey to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic reality,” Calio said.

Airlines Share Enhanced Cleaning Details, Answer Queries (Source: Delta News Hub, YouTube)
Delta, Southwest and Alaska airlines have shared new information about steps the carriers are taking to protect employees and customers. Delta is sanitizing every flight with electrostatic sprayers, Southwest is installing air filters and Alaska is explaining passenger face-mask guidance and flexible onboard measures.

Delta Offers Ticket Validity Extensions (Source: Delta News Hub)
During these unprecedented times, we know our customers want the value of their tickets to be secure and redeemable for a longer period. That’s why a few weeks ago we extended the ability to plan, re-book and travel with us for over two years. Today we are announcing a policy to address previously unused tickets that weren’t booked for travel during the impacted travel dates outlined in Coronavirus  All International and All Domestic Travel Exception Policies.

Airplane Reverse Seating Plan Designed to Enhance Safety (Source: Apartment Therapy)
An Italian company has developed a three-seater design for airplanes in which the middle seat faces backward while the other seats face forward, with all three seats protected by a transparent shield. Avio Interiors says the shields and seats would be comprised of safe, hygienic materials and that the design would help protect passengers from potential virus transmission.

Air Canada To Be “First Carrier In Americas” To Perform Pre-Flight Temperature Checks (Source: OpenJaw)
Air Canada has introduced a series of measures through its new CleanCare+ program aimed at increasing the health and safety of its passengers and crew, including performing mandatory pre-flight customer temperature checks. It says it will be the first carrier in the Americas to check passengers’ temperature before boarding.

American, Delta Accelerate Aircraft Retirements (Source: Delta News Hub, American Airlines American Stories)
American and Delta plan to accelerate retirement of older aircraft, although American will also stick to plans for delivery of new planes. Delta will retire all 47 of its MD-88s and all 29 MD-90s, while American is retiring five fleet types and more than 120 planes, including both larger jets and smaller aircraft used for regional service.

American, Delta, United to Make Passenger Masks a Requirement (Source: Business Travel News)
Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines will require passengers to wear masks onboard in the coming weeks. Delta’s requirement begins May 4. Passengers will be required to wear face coverings in check-in areas, Delta Sky Clubs, boarding gate areas, jet bridges, and onboard throughout the flight except when meals are being served.

General Interest

Trust Is The Key to Rebuilding The Corporate Travel Marketplace (Source: Business Travel News)
Successful travel management has never been effective without trust. Without it, one can try, but efforts will sputter, veer off and ultimately take a turn down the wrong path. Even worse, creeping doubt and fear will undo previous gains.

Rental Cars

Hertz in Push to Avoid Bankruptcy (Source: SFGate)
Hertz Global Holdings Inc. is doing everything it can to preserve cash and get leniency from lenders to avoid a bankruptcy filing in the midst of the travel industry’s collapse, Chief Executive Officer Kathryn Marinello said in an interview.

Security 

TSA Could Begin Checking Passengers For Fever (Source: TravelPulse)
An airline trade group has approached the Transportation Security Administration regarding the feasibility of checking passenger temperature during security screenings. No decision regarding health screenings has been finalized, TSA said.

Airports

Airports Require Passengers, Staff to Wear Face Masks (Source: Fox News)
Airports are beginning to require everyone in their facilities to wear face masks and marking off safe “social distancing” spacing. “The health and safety of our passengers and employees is our number one priority, and it is going to take all of us to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Denver International Airport CEO Kim Day said.

Florida Airport Stops Work on New Concourse (Source: WJXT-TV/WCWJ-TV)
The Jacksonville Airport Authority in Florida has stopped work on a new concourse, and officials said it would resume once passenger volume returns to 2019 levels. Adding a third concourse would increase Jacksonville International Airport’s capacity by six gates, with the option of expanding to more.

California City Clears Way For Airport Expansion (Source: San Jose Mercury News)
San Jose officials in California have approved plans to add 14 gates, an on-site hotel and a parking garage at Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. Declining traffic during the coronavirus pandemic was not a decisive factor for the project, which will also include runway and taxiway upgrades and new cargo and general aviation facilities.