Aviation

Bloomberg Scandinavian airline SAS AB will temporarily lay off up to 10,000 employees, or 90% of its workforce, in response to the fallout from the coronavirus and related measures from authorities that have restricted international air travel. “It is important to say that we do not intend this to lead to permanent layoffs,” said the company’s chief executive officer Rickard ...

Bloomberg Air New Zealand Ltd will slash its long-haul capacity by 85%, suspend some routes to North America and Asia and begin job cuts amid travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Shares in the airline, which have declined 47% this year as the outbreak hits the aviation industry globally, were placed in trading halt on Monday while the company ...

Bloomberg Cambridge University student James Shen didn’t hesitate to pay double for a business-class ticket to fly to China last week, deciding it would be safer there than in the UK as the coronavirus spreads in Europe. “I feel much more protected here,” Shen said after arriving home in Suzhou, about 60 miles (95 kilometres) west of Shanghai. “In the ...

Bloomberg Finland’s national carrier Finnair Oyj will slash 90% of its flight capacity in response to a decline in demand caused by the global new coronavirus pandemic, resulting in a substantial operating loss this year. The airline also withdrew its dividend proposal and plans to cut costs, according to a statement on Monday. In addition, it is implementing a funding ...

Bloomberg Airlines in the US and Europe cut flights, idled planes and drafted plans to eliminate jobs, while seeking government support to weather the roughest downturn in the industry’s history caused by the coronavirus. American Airlines Group Inc, Delta Air Lines Inc, United Airlines Holdings Inc and Southwest Airlines Co said they’re discussing potential aid from the government, without providing ...

Bloomberg Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport was among those overwhelmed on March 14 with passengers, including many returning from Europe, who faced new screening measures hastily announced last week. The crowds of anxious travelers were a stark contrast to the increasingly loud calls for people to practice “social distancing” as a way to get ahead of the spread of the coronavirus ...

Bloomberg Venezuela will temporarily suspend flights from Panama and the Dominican Republic, essentially cutting off the nation from most of the world, Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez said. Flights from Europe and neighboring Colombia were already suspended earlier this week, narrowing the country’s remaining air connections to about a handful, including Turkey and Cuba. Rodriguez pleaded with Venezuelans to remain home ...

Bloomberg White House officials are discussing temporarily allowing cash-strapped airlines to keep some taxes and fees they collect from passengers as a way to help as travel plummets due to the spread of coronavirus. The option is being discussed for the 7.5% tax on airline tickets, which provides a substantial part of the $16 billion a year collected for a ...

Bloomberg Federal aviation officials are investigating the cause of a 12-inch-long crack that developed in the top of a Southwest Airlines Co jet during flight, leading to a gradual loss of cabin pressure. Pilots on Southwest Flight 1685 from Las Vegas to Boise, Idaho, descended to 22,000 feet last week after receiving a pressure-drop alert for the cabin, the Dallas-based ...

Bloomberg Air France-KLM is building up cash reserves and preparing a crisis plan to cut costs in response to a dramatic slump in flight reservations through the peak season and President Donald Trump’s ban on trans-Atlantic travel. The carrier is facing “an unprecedented situation” due to the coronavirus pandemic, Chief Executive Officer Ben Smith told staff in an internal video ...