Yahoo Finance Airline bosses plead to restart Transatlantic travel
British Airways has joined forces with three of the world's other biggest carriers to lobby US Vice-President Mike Pence for a return of transatlantic services as the crisis-hit industry fights to avoid collapse.
The bosses of BA owner IAG, Germany’s Lufthansa, American Airlines and United have written to Mr Pence and European home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson urging them to introduce a radical testing programme which can prevent the spread of Covid-19 and allow planes to fly again.
It is hoped that fast, accurate tests could prevent the need for quarantines and travel bans. Italy is already trialling a £10 test which gives results in 15 minutes and could be introduced at all its airports.
The letter, says: “Given the unquestioned importance of transatlantic air travel to the global economy as well as to the economic recovery of our businesses, we believe it is critical to find a way to re-open air services between the US and Europe.”
Many airlines have restarted services after travel restrictions were eased, but the vast majority of services to North America remain grounded as the US battles to control the pandemic.
Experts predict demand for long-haul flights will be the last to return, with business travel crushed and consumers fearful of straying far from home.
This is a major problem for the likes of British Airways, which depend heavily on long-haul flights to turn a profit.
Signed by IAG chief executive Willie Walsh, the letter continues: “Covid-19 testing is becoming more and more common throughout the world as a tool to avoid these other more intrusive measures.
“We recognise that testing presents a number of challenges, however we believe that a pilot testing program for the transatlantic market could be an excellent opportunity for government and industry to work together and find ways to overcome obstacles and explore all solutions to protect health, build confidence, and safely restore passenger travel between the US and Europe.
“Nobody will benefit from a prolonged closure of this most indispensable corridor for global aviation.”
The letter comes as airports are urging Boris Johnson to come to their rescue as they brace for a £4bn hit from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Operators want relief on business rates, a suspension of air passenger duty and an extension of the Government’s furlough scheme beyond October.
The demands, contained in a letter to the Prime Minister, follow analysis showing that passenger numbers fell by up to 99pc during the first four months of the pandemic.
Airports have already suffered almost £2bn in lost revenue, equivalent to £150m-a-day, and estimate this will have doubled by the end of the year.
Karen Dee, boss of the Airport Operators Association said: “These projections reinforce the significant challenges that UK airports continue to face after the worst four months in the history of commercial aviation.”
