Continued from page 32 Virgin Atlantic also remains


in contact with the government about a request for £500 million in aid which was turned down in April. A spokesperson said: “We’re


exploring all available options to obtain additional external funding. Meanwhile the airline remains in a stable position.” Virgin Atlantic announced


it will cut 3,150 jobs, almost one-third of its workforce, last week and pull out of Gatwick, although it said it would retain its landing slots at Gatwick. Analysts cast doubt on


Virgin’s ability to repay any loans given the carrier failed to make a profit through most of the last decade, including in 2017-19 when leading airlines in Europe and the US reported record profits. But chief executive Shai


Weiss told The Sunday Times: “Virgin Atlantic can become sustainably profitable. These [borrowing] facilities may not be drawn down. Within two to five years we would pay it back, probably sooner.” Virgin Atlantic lacked the


credit rating to draw on Bank of England loans to businesses as British Airways has done. It also lacks sufficient assets to offer as security on loans, having already mortgaged its landing slots at Heathrow – probably its most-valuable asset. But Weiss insisted he was


“100% confident” Virgin Atlantic would survive, saying: “It’s too good not to survive.” An internal memo to


the carrier’s pilots last week suggested the redundancies could help win government aid, saying: “It’s critical we demonstrate we have taken all self-help measures.”


Royal Caribbean: 45% of customers ask for refunds


Royal Caribbean Cruises revealed just under half its customers have requested cash refunds for cancelled cruises. In a business update, Royal


Caribbean revealed it was holding $2.4 billion in customer deposits at the end of March and said, as of April 30, “approximately 45% of guests have requested cash refunds”.


30 14 MAY 2020


Airlines extol air filters and masks for safe flying


Ian Taylor


Leading airlines insist flying is safe without special measures, arguing air filters on modern aircraft limit the risk of Covid-19 transmission. However, Airlines for Europe


(A4E) and Iata recommend passengers and crew wear face masks and support temperature checks at airports but oppose social distancing on flights. They warn leaving aircraft middle


seats vacant “is not viable”, with Iata suggesting it would result in 50%-higher prices.


A4E said: “Physical separation


on board, including leaving middle seats free, would reduce the carryings to 50%-66% of aircraft capacity [whereas] airlines require planes to be at least 77% full to break even.” Yet A4E suggested: “Passengers


should bring and wear their own face masks throughout the journey”. It called for “a global approach to ensure consistent standards across the sector”. Members of A4E include British


Airways owner IAG, Lufthansa, Ryanair, easyJet and Air France-KLM. Iata and A4E argue the high


efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters on modern aircraft “clean cabin air to operating-theatre quality”. Some carriers, including easyJet,


have said they will leave middle seats empty on flights when services resume. Others, including Ryanair and IAG, have said aircraft won’t fly with middle seats empty. Iata has suggested virus transmis-


sion on flights is limited not only due to the HEPA filters but also to the fact that airflow rates are high, passengers face forward limiting face-to-face interaction, seats provide a barrier, and airflow is from ceiling to floor. Alexandre de Juniac, Iata director


general, said: “We must arrive at a solution that gives passengers the confidence to fly and keeps the cost of flying affordable. “Airlines are fighting for survival.


Eliminating the middle seat will raise costs. If that is offset with higher fares, the era of affordable travel will come to an end. If airlines can’t recoup the costs, they will go bust.”


The cruise giant is offering


clients with cancelled bookings credits for future cruises worth 125% of the price they paid. Royal Caribbean reported it


started the year “in a strong booked position” but said: “Booking volumes for the remainder of 2020 are meaningfully lower than the same time last year.” However, the company


described bookings for 2021 and beyond as at “more typical levels” with “2021 prices up [in] mid- single digits compared to 2020.” Chairman and chief executive Richard Fain reported Royal


Richard Fain


Caribbean is developing “a com- prehensive programme” to protect passengers on future cruises includ- ing “enhanced screening, upgraded cleaning and disinfection protocols


and plans for social distancing”. i News You Can Use, page 15


travelweekly.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32