According to the proverb, After the typhoon there are pears to gather up.
The ill-winds of COVID-19 continue to spread, with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring a pandemic, and the US halting travel from large parts of mainland Europe to the US for 30 days.
At the end of February, the Irish-based IFE hardware provider Mythopoeia Holdings entered liquidation, citing the coronavirus outbreak as partly to blame for its failure.
Formed in 2014, the company supplied its tablet-based wireless seatback IFE solution, Air Cloud, to Air Greenland’s A330-200 as well as a USB power solution (Powerstream) and passenger service system to Mexican low-cost carrier Viva Aerobus.
Korean Air has said its future is dependent upon how long the coronavirus crisis lasts. In a memo to employees, the airline’s President, Woo Kee-hong, warned the company’s survival could not be guaranteed if aircraft groundings and passenger restrictions continue long-term.
And in this week’s UK budget speech, Chancellor Rishi Sunak omitted mention of any support measures for the aviation sector.
As Dale Keller, Chief Executive of BAR UK, a UK airline industry association, said: “The entire aviation industry will be deeply frustrated that the Chancellor has shown zero support to a vital sector which the country relies upon to deliver connectivity and enable economic prosperity. Despite announcing an APD [air passenger duty] review in January in time for this Budget, the Chancellor has instead pushed a response back to spring whilst discreetly publishing a further £2 increase to £82 on economy long-haul flights from April 2021. The lack of action and support for aviation in this Budget demonstrates a Chancellor and Government that has not placed enough importance on sustaining the UK’s domestic and international air connectivity at the very time it is needed most.”
So, what of the pears? Private jet companies have registered a spike in bookings, a result of individuals looking to avoid crowded airports, commercial flights or to evacuate from coronavirus-affected areas. Lunajets said it has seen a sharp rise in demands for its business jet charter services: regular private jet charter flights, emergency private jet hire (evacuation of staff, citizens) and even aircraft cargo charter. GlobeAir has registered a 27% YoY increase in bookings over the past three weeks, according to Bernhard Fragner, CEO.
Inflight’s commitment to delivering industry-leading coverage of the end-to-end in-flight experience remains robust and unwavering, with the magazine’s expert editorial team continuing to support and report on the industry in spite of the increasingly challenging circumstances. Inflight’s loyal readers will still be kept abreast of airlines’ investment decisions and the accompanying emerging capabilities, with exclusive insight into and analysis of the key issues affecting the cabin interior and passenger journey.
In the face of such a difficult and unpredictable situation, we consider it our responsibility to stand behind the in-flight industry, providing our colleagues with a solid and reliable platform from which to communicate developments and achievements, thus driving the industry forward.
Please do send me any announcements, product releases and company news intended for both AIX and WTCE.
