, in response to the threat of Covid-19, Miami-based real estate agent and artist Nadia Bouzid was in the middle of painting a mural inside a new hotel in Cancun, Mexico."I watched a seat on the flight I wanted go from $200 to $70, to $350," Bouzid tells CNN Travel."I booked it and flew, but the flight was spookily empty. I was panicking, and the changing price made me wonder how much I'd be paying to return to finish my work, when all this is over.
Nonetheless, it's IATA, the global airline trade association, that wants to have the last word on the issue of social distancing on aircraft. Its"IATA is essentially saying that airlines' financial health matters more than the health of their employees or customers," says Henry Harteveldt, airline analyst at Atmosphere Research Group."That press release includes an estimate that airfares will have to increase if carriers are required to leave middle seats open.
"Many airlines use fuel hedging to minimize the risk of fuel price volatility by agreeing to purchase a certain amount of oil in the future at a set price," says Suhet."And the airlines are adapting these strategies to the current climate, to improve cash-flow position by streamlining costs." Kass decided not to book."I've always wanted to visit Bali, but I just don't know what the situation will be," she tells CNN Travel."I don't want to put myself in harm's way. I also don't know what's going on in Indonesia, and don't know when Bali will again be ready for guests."
Virgin Atlantic has sped up the retirement of their 747 and A340-600 fleets, while also closing a base at London-Gatwick. KLM is saying goodbye to its iconic 747s sooner than planned, and American Airlines had a busy April retiring its 757, 767, E190 and A330-300 fleets .
Couple of these airlines are definitely gonna go under. And hope govt doesn't bail them out
Oh I ain't gonna be flying anytime soon.
The airlines must test passengers and crew prior to flights along with sanitizing the planes and mask wearing. Good money spent would be on refining 10 minute tests and reducing costs. Don’t think large numbers will fly until we feel safe.