Delta air Lines Inc and air new zealand Ltd said they would offer cargo charter services on passenger planes to boost revenue as the US Senate unanimously passed a bill to give its carriers $58 billion in aid, including payroll support. The passenger travel industry has been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, with Australia’s Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd announcing plans to cut 6,000 travel agent roles globally, either temporarily or permanently. singapore, australia and new zealand are among the few countries in the region that have announced some financial relief for airlines, but it has not stopped carriers from putting staff on leave and grounding planes.

 

The international air Transport Association (IATA), which represents airlines, said it has written to the heads of governments of 18 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including india, japan, malaysia, South korea, thailand, vietnam and the philippines for emergency support for carriers. IATA director General Alexandre de Juniac said in a statement "Travel restrictions and evaporating demand mean that, aside from cargo, there is almost no passenger business". "For airlines, it’s apocalypse now."

 

singapore airlines Ltd on thursday went into a rare trading halt pending an announcement, days after it said it would ground almost its entire fleet and seek more financing as it grapples with the coronavirus pandemic. IATA estimates the COVID-19 crisis will reduce passenger demand in Asia-Pacific by 37 per cent this year compared to 2019, with a revenue loss of $88 billion. Virgin australia plans to permanently cut more than 1,000 jobs among the 8,000 staff that have been stood down due to cuts to its flying schedule, chief executive Paul Scurrah said.

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