Cape Town International Airport set a new record in 2024, welcoming three million two-way international passengers – 10% more than in 2023, according to Wesgro. Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International remains the country’s busiest hub, handling around 21 million passengers annually. Durban’s King Shaka International is seeing steady growth, with more than 2.8 million travellers passing through its terminals. 

And the good news doesn’t stop there. More improvements are on the way – bringing better connections and smoother journeys for business travellers. Here’s what’s set to make flying in South Africa even better.

Acsa’s profit signals smoother business travel 

After years of financial struggles, Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has finally turned a corner. From a R2.5 billion loss in 2019/20, the state-owned entity has posted a R400 million profit for 2023/24- good news for business travellers relying on efficient, well-run airports. 

FCM Productive Operations Leader Mummy Mafojane says this financial turnaround could improve airport facilities, streamline operations, and reduce congestion at major hubs. “A stronger Acsa may also attract more airlines, creating new regional and international routes to benefit business travellers,” she says. 

Acsa’s recovery is a step in the right direction – now it’s about turning profit into progress for travellers. 

South Africa’s sleeper airport is waking up

If you’re a business traveller tired of the congestion at OR Tambo, you’re in luck – Lanseria International Airport is making big moves to become a serious player in South African aviation. Already the country’s fourth-busiest airport, it handled nearly 2.5 million passengers in 2022/23. With plans to more than double passenger traffic to 6 million by 2027 – and a bold vision of hitting 18 million by 2050 – Lanseria is gearing up for a major transformation. 

And it’s not just about moving more people. Recent ownership changes are unlocking major investment in business-friendly upgrades: a world-class cargo precinct, a cutting-edge Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facility, and improved Fixed Base Operations for private and corporate jet travel. Even bigger? Lanseria plans to expand its footprint across Africa, potentially opening up new business travel routes. 

For frequent flyers, this means more flight options, better facilities, and a strong alternative to South Africa’s larger, busier airports. 

A Stellenbosch airport swoops into the picture

For business travellers flying in and out of the Western Cape, a second major airport could mean fewer delays, better connections, and a smoother travel experience, says Mafojane. The Cape Winelands Airport (CWA), set to open by 2027, is positioning itself as an alternative to Cape Town International.

Built on the current Fisantekraal Airport site, CWA is launching with a R7 billion investment in a 3.5km runway capable of handling A380s (the world’s largest commercial passenger aircraft), a state-of-the-art terminal, and upgraded road access. By 2030, it aims to handle two million passengers – growing to five million by 2050. 

“A second major airport in the Western Cape could mean more competition between airlines – which often leads to better schedules and pricing,” says Mafojane. She also sees potential for increased ‘bleisure’ travel as professionals take advantage of easier access to one of the country’s most desirable destinations. 

With the Western Cape attracting growing investment and talent migration from other provinces, CWA could help reshape how – and where – business gets done in South Africa.

Route expansion puts more destination options on the table

An influx of new international and regional flight routes will give business travellers more options than ever before.

Last year, Air France resumed and ramped up its Paris–Cape Town service. Air Botswana connected Gaborone with Durban’s King Shaka hub, Proflight Zambia linked Livingstone with Cape Town and FlySafair took to the skies between Cape Town and Windhoek. Norse Atlantic and Lufthansa staked claims on the lucrative London Gatwick–Cape Town and Munich–Cape Town routes, respectively.

Closer to home, SAA boosted frequencies to Perth and Harare from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport. Even Britain’s flagship carrier got in on the action, with British Airways adding a seasonal daily service from Heathrow to Cape Town.

And there’s more to come in 2025 – Qantas is relaunching its Johannesburg–Perth route, while Airlink will kick off a brand-new Cape Town – Gaborone connection in April.

Music to the ears of business travellers and travel management companies trying to manage travel costs says Mafojane. “The influx of new routes boosts connectivity while fueling competition among airlines – which could lead to lower fares. With more scheduling options, the expanding network also provides business travellers with greater flexibility.”

Airlines leading the trend

Several carriers are taking the plunge into age-restricted seating. European Corendon Airlines has introduced an “Only Adult Zone” programme, reserving the first dozen rows of their Airbus for passengers 16 and up. These zones cater to travellers seeking a quieter environment, whether for business or pleasure.

In Asia, the trend has been airborne for years. Singapore-based Scoot has offered “Scoot-in-Silence” cabins since 2018, creating a buffer between economy and business class for travellers 12 and older. AirAsia X and Malaysia Airlines have similar offerings on select flights.

Proponents argue these zones offer more than just noise reduction. Business travellers might find unexpected networking opportunities, and fewer carry-ons mean quicker boarding times. It’s a tempting proposition for those who view air travel as an extension of the office.

However, as with any innovation in the highly regulated world of aviation, child-free zones come with their share of turbulence. Critics raise concerns about fairness, while supporters claim it’s simply another premium seating option.

In an industry known for razor-thin profit margins and fierce competition, any innovation that allows airlines to differentiate their product is worth watching. Adults-only zones might be the beginning of a new era in air travel, where the journey is as customisable as the destination.

Tips for productivity in economy class

Business travellers stuck in family-friendly zones aren’t powerless. Bonnie Smith, GM of FCM, offers some practical tips for maximising productivity in economy class:

• Minimise distractions and create a focused environment with noise-cancelling headphones.
• Bring printed documents or offline tasks that do not require internet access, ensuring you can be productive even if Wi-Fi is unavailable.
• Use flight time for some professional development – maybe that industry podcast you’ve been meaning to listen to?
• Network with your seatmates – you never know, your next big client could be just an armrest away. 

When seatmates become seat woes

While we can’t choose our seatmates, we can control our reactions to difficult situations. Smith advises a diplomatic approach when facing in-flight disturbances.

“Flight attendants are there to ensure everyone’s safety,” Smith explains. “They’re equipped to handle various situations that might arise.” Common issues that may warrant crew intervention include persistent seat disturbances, excessive call button use, or passengers not following safety instructions. These aren’t just annoyances – they can pose safety risks. “If you need to involve a flight attendant, do so discreetly and politely. Your calm approach can help resolve issues and improve the flight experience for everyone,” concludes Smith.

“This movement is laying the groundwork for a system overhaul of the entire travel industry,” says Bonnie Smith, General Manager of FCM. She explains that while #RightsonFlights might be focusing on wheelchairs, accessibility in air travel affects a broader community of travellers with various disabilities.

She says policy reform lies at the heart of this evolution. “While discrimination against people with disabilities is prohibited under the Constitution and its operative legislation, there is little guidance available to air service operators in South Africa. The Civil Aviation Regulations provides some guidance around inflight cabin safety, but not much around accessibility,” Smith says.

The absence of comprehensive regulations makes standardising accessibility measures across the industry difficult. “Travel managers and companies must advocate for policy revisions that prioritise inclusivity and work with regulatory bodies to enact meaningful change,” Smith emphasises.

Not every disability is the same

According to Accessible South Africa, an online platform that shares information about accessibility for disabled people, there are potentially over 600,000 disabled travellers in the country. This includes people who are wheelchair users, blind or partially sighted, deaf or hard of hearing, mental health or intellectually challenged, parents and babies, or elderly. “Every person’s disability comes with its own unique set of challenges, and it’s up to us to find out how we can best accommodate those disabilities,” Smith says.

Some domestic carriers in South Africa don’t permit wheelchairs exceeding a certain weight threshold – they should be shipped separately. The problem is that most powered wheelchairs are over the weight threshold. Other domestic carriers will carry powered wheelchairs but require the passenger to forward pictures of the battery used in their mobility device to ascertain the type of battery and whether it can be separated from the device and its ports adequately secured to prevent discharge.

During a panel discussion at Africa Travel Week 2024, Jabaar Mohamed, the Provincial Director for DeafSA Western Cape, unpacked some of the specific challenges deaf travellers face, such as being offered wheelchairs at airports. “It’s important for all those that work in hospitality to be trained to ask individual travellers what their needs are, rather than making assumptions,” he said.

Travellers on the autism spectrum can also become very overwhelmed by the bright lights, big crowds of people, confined spaces and loud noises, making it impossible for them to navigate air travel. Some can have debilitating anxiety attacks as a result.

As a result, travelling can often evoke feelings of dread for many disabled passengers.

Taking action to create accessibility

Many organisations in the travel industry have taken it into their own hands to address some of these challenges. Some airlines have redesigned their entertainment systems to include audio descriptions for blind passengers, text-to-speech functions, and subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Most airports now provide pathways, ramps, and elevators for smooth wheelchair navigation. Priority boarding and seat allocation closer to airplane entry and exit points have also been made more available for disabled passengers, and some airlines are even redesigning their seats to fold away so wheelchair passengers can securely attach to the aircraft.

Many air service operators are also incorporating safe spaces for sensory-challenged people, including those on the autism spectrum.

Many of the international carriers servicing South Africa that have operations in the United States have decided to follow the US Department of Transport’s DOT Rule, which prohibits the need for advanced notice and placing limitations on wheelchairs. It also mandates other services and accessibility provisions that airlines must provide, including helping them embark and disembark and priority for mobility equipment over the luggage in an aircraft hold.

Smith says the best way businesses can make a difference is by investing in education and training programmes that foster disability awareness among staff.

Travel managers should encourage employees to share their accessibility needs and requirements when booking trips. Collecting this data can help identify gaps in current travel offerings and inform future supplier negotiations and RFPs. Working closely with your Travel Management Company (TMC) to capture and align traveller accessibility needs upfront saves time and creates a more dignified experience versus repeatedly explaining needs. The strategic advantage of partnering with your TMC to support the ‘Rights on Flights’ movement and drive industry change can give your travel program a competitive edge.

“Preparing and making the necessary arrangements in advance is essential when dealing with disabled travellers. You have to conduct thorough research and plan accordingly to maximise their travel experience,” Smith says.

By embracing the “Rights on Flights” movement and taking concrete steps to improve accessibility, business travel managers can demonstrate their company’s commitment to inclusion while ensuring all employees can travel safely and comfortably. It’s a win-win for companies, employees, and the air travel industry as a whole, concludes Smith.

Bonnie Smith, GM FCM, explains companies need to have a close look at what the most cost-effective and sustainable way to travel is for their road warriors, particularly in an age where climate change is a pressing issue and businesses are being encouraged to measure and reduce their carbon emissions.

“Whether it’s better to send out your road warriors by air, rail or car will depend on the region,” says Smith “In South Africa, for example, due to safety concerns and a virtually non-existent rail network, the primary options for business travel are car rental and air travel. However, in regions with more developed infrastructure, like Europe and the United States, rail travel can be a viable and often preferred choice.”

Choosing Between Air Travel, Car Rental, and Rail Travel

Each mode of transportation comes with its unique advantages and disadvantages, according to a study conducted by FCM Consulting. For an individual traveller, rail travel is the lowest carbon emitter, followed by air travel. However, when travelling in a group, a car becomes more efficient in terms of carbon emissions. However, not all modes of transport are practical from a standpoint of time or cost.

Johannesburg – Cape Town

In South Africa, a trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town would take approximately 120 minutes by air, costing around R1 500, with carbon emissions of 90 kg CO2 emission units. However, a car rental for the same route would take significantly longer, about 1400 minutes, cost more, around R3 000, and have higher carbon emissions of 300 kg CO2e units.

From a wellness perspective, the stress and fatigue associated with long car journeys could lead to higher travel friction, which could adversely affect the trip’s overall ROI. Furthermore, considering South Africa’s high road accident rates, air travel is the safer option as well as the more eco- and budget-friendly choice.

London – Paris

When we examine a popular European route, like London to Paris, we introduce the viable option of rail travel. Air travel remains the fastest option, taking 160 minutes and costing $407, but with a considerable carbon footprint of 106 kg CO2 emission units.

Rail travel takes significantly longer, 280 minutes, and is slightly more expensive, at $435. However, it is the most environmentally friendly option, with a low carbon footprint of 4 kg CO2 emission units.

Car rental is the least efficient option, taking 720 minutes, costing $950, and producing high carbon emissions of 158 kg CO2e units.

“For business travellers arriving in Europe, rail travel offers a blend of affordability, comfort, and eco-friendliness. Additionally, it provides a low-stress travel environment conducive to productivity, with amenities like Wi-Fi and dining facilities available on many services. However, the longer travel time could be a potential downside, particularly for time-sensitive trips,” explains Smith.

Factoring in Traveller Wellness and Carbon Emissions

As businesses globally aim to be more eco-conscious and mindful of employee wellness, the consideration of carbon emissions and travel friction is increasingly important.

“Air travel, while faster and potentially less stressful, does have a higher carbon footprint per individual traveller than car travel. Rail travel, with its lower carbon emissions and potential for a more relaxed journey, especially in regions with well-developed rail networks, stands out as a balanced choice. However, the feasibility of rail travel is heavily dependent on the region,” says Smith

“The best mode of transportation for business travel is highly dependent on the specific needs of the trip and the infrastructure of the region,” concludes Smith. “Your travel management company can however help you balancing time, cost, carbon emissions, safety, and traveller wellness so you can maximise the ROI of business travel, wherever the destination may be.”

For more information about FCM Travel, or to interview FCM Travel General Manager South Africa, Bonnie Smith, call Dorine Reinstein on 083 278 8994 or email dorine@bigambitions.co.za.

Cabin crew will wear the PPE suit over their uniforms in addition to safety goggles, gloves and a mask to provide even greater reassurance to customers in addition to enhanced hygienic measures already in place. The airline now requires passengers from Monday, May 25, to wear face coverings inflight and recommends people bring their own for fit and comfort purposes

The airline has also applied other additional health and safety measures onboard its flights, Business Class meals will be served on a tray instead of a table set up, and a cutlery wrap will be offered to passengers as an alternative to individual cutlery service, in an effort to reduce contact between the crew and the passengers. While in Economy Class, all meals and cutlery are served sealed as usual. Additionally, large bottles of hand sanitiser will be placed in the galleys and made available for both cabin crew and passengers. All social areas onboard the aircraft have also been closed to observe social distancing measures.

Passengers flying Business Class can avail of the enhanced privacy the Qsuite provides include sliding privacy partitions and fully closing doors creating a private sanctuary. Passengers can also opt to the ‘Do Not Disturb (DND)’ indicator in their private suite, if they wish to limit their interactions with the cabin crew.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “At Qatar Airways, we have  introduced these additional safety measures onboard our flights to ensure the continued health and wellbeing of our passengers and cabin crew, and to limit the spread of coronavirus. As an airline, we maintain the highest possible hygiene standards to ensure that we can fly people home safely during this time and provide even greater reassurance that safety is our number one priority.

“Seeing as we are still flying the world’s largest international network by operating flights to more than 30 destinations around the world, and aiming to grow our network again in the coming months, these onboard safety measures will assist us in achieving our goals.”

Qatar Airways continues to implement the highest standards of health and safety. Its aircraft are regularly disinfected using cleaning products recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Its home airport, Hamad International Airport, has also invested in deploying disinfectant robots, fully autonomous mobile emitting concentrated UV-C light known to be effective in eliminating majority of infectious microorganisms.

Qatar Airways’ aircraft feature the most advanced air filtration systems, equipped with industrial-size HEPA filters that remove 99.97% of viral and bacterial contaminants from re-circulated air, providing the most effective protection against infection. All the airline’s onboard linen and blankets are washed, dried and pressed at microbial lethal temperatures, while its headsets are removed of ear foams and rigorously sanitized after each flight. These items are then sealed into individual packaging by staff wearing hygienic disposable gloves.

Meal service utensils and cutlery are washed with detergents and rinsed with demineralized fresh water at temperatures that kill pathogenic bacteria.

Cabin crew have received training on how to minimise their chances of contracting or spreading the infection, are thermally screened before the departure of flights and after their arrival, and are quarantined and tested if any colleagues or passengers on a flight shows any symptoms of infection or test positive for the virus.

In addition, Qatar Airways has revised its distribution of cabin crew on flights, sending two groups on short-haul and medium-haul flights – the first to manage the outbound trip, the second to manage the inbound trip. For long-haul flights, crew members who have to stay overnight in a foreign city can only travel in Qatar Airways-approved transport and must remain in their rooms, limiting human interactions.

In terms of passengers, the airline is encouraging social distancing where possible, especially on flights with lighter loads.

Distancing is also implemented during the boarding process, ensuring passengers are allocated seats far apart from each other. The airline is also encouraging passengers to follow hygiene practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), such as regular hand washing and refraining from touching the face.

The airline will also offer connections in Dubai for customers travelling between the UK and Australia.

Travellers will only be accepted on these flights if they comply with the eligibility and entry criteria requirements of their destination countries. This includes an approval from the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) for UAE residents who wish to return to Dubai.

Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer said: “We are pleased to resume scheduled passenger services to these destinations, providing more options for customers to travel from the UAE to these cities, and also between the UK and Australia. We are working closely with the authorities to plan the resumption of operations to additional destinations. We have implemented additional measures at the airport in coordination with the relevant authorities in respect to social distancing and sanitization. The safety and wellbeing of our employees, customers and communities, remain our top priority.”

Repatriation flights

In addition to the scheduled services, Emirates will also continue to work closely with embassies and consulates to facilitate repatriation flights for visitors and residents wishing to return home. This week, the airline plans to operate flights from Dubai to Tokyo Narita (15 May), Conakry (16 May), and Dakar (16 May).*

Health and safety on Emirates

The safety and wellbeing of passengers and employees is Emirates’ top priority. In preparation for the resumption of flight services, the airline has already enhanced various precautionary measures throughout the customer journey.

At Dubai International airport, customers and employees will have their temperatures checked via thermal scanners. Protective barriers have been installed at check-in counters to provide additional safety during interaction. Gloves and masks are mandatory for all customers and employees at the airport. In addition, Emirates’ cabin crew, boarding agents and ground staff who interact directly with travellers will don personal protective equipment (PPE) including a protective disposable gown and safety visor.

Social distancing protocols will also be implemented. At this airport, this includes physical indicators being placed on the ground and at waiting areas in the airport to ensure travellers maintain a safe distance.

For health and safety reasons and to minimise interaction on-board, Emirates will offer a modified in-flight service that focuses on reducing contact and infection risk. Magazines and print reading material will not be available during this time. Cabin baggage have to be checked-in, and customers can only bring essential items such as a laptop, handbag, briefcase or baby items on board.

Emirates has initiated a stringent safety programme to ensure aircraft cabins remain clean and sanitary. The airline’s modern aircraft cabins have been fitted with advanced HEPA air filters which remove 99.97% of viruses and eliminate dust, allergens and germs from cabin air for a healthier and safer on-board environment. After its journey and on landing in Dubai, each aircraft will go through enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes to ensure safety and proper sanitation.

Air travel scenarios

IATA and Tourism Economics modeled two air travel scenarios.

Baseline Scenario

• This is contingent on domestic markets opening in Q3, with a much slower phased opening of international markets. This would limit the air travel recovery, despite most forecasts pointing toward a strong economic rebound late this year and during 2021.
• In 2021 we expect global passenger demand (measured in revenue passenger kilometers, RPKs) to be 24% below 2019 levels and 32% lower than IATA’s October 2019 Air Passenger forecast for 2021.
• We don’t expect 2019 levels to be exceeded until 2023.
• As international markets open and economies recover, there will be further growth in air travel from the 2020 low point. But even by 2025 we would expect global RPKs to be 10% lower than the previous forecast.

Pessimistic Scenario

• This is based on a slower opening of economies and relaxation of travel restrictions, with lockdowns extending into Q3, possibly due to a second wave of the virus. This would further delay the recovery of air travel.
• In this case, global RPKs in 2021 could be 34% lower than 2019 levels and 41% below our previous forecast for 2021.

“Major stimulus from governments combined with liquidity injections by central banks will boost the economic recovery once the pandemic is under control. But rebuilding passenger confidence will take longer. And even then, individual and corporate travelers are likely to carefully manage travel spend and stay closer to home,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

Long-Haul Travel Impact will be Longer Lasting

When the recovery begins, it is expected to be led by domestic travel.

• An IATA survey of recent air travelers conducted in April 2020 found that 58% are somewhat or very likely to restrict their initial travel to domestic journeys.
• Domestic Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs) will only recover to 2019 levels by 2022. International RPKs are only expected to return to 2019 levels in 2024.

“The impacts of the crisis on long-haul travel will be much more severe and of a longer duration than what is expected in domestic markets. This makes globally agreed and implemented biosecurity standards for the travel process all the more critical. We have a small window to avoid the consequences of uncoordinated unilateral measures that marked the post-9.11 period. We must act fast,” said de Juniac.

Avoid Quarantine Measures

IATA strongly urges governments to find alternatives to maintaining or introducing arrival quarantine measures as part of post-pandemic travel restrictions. IATA’s April survey of recent air travelers showed that

• 86% of travelers were somewhat or very concerned about being quarantined while traveling, and
• 69% of recent travelers would not consider travelling if it involved a 14-day quarantine period.

“Even in the best of circumstances this crisis will cost many jobs and rob the economy of years of aviation-stimulated growth.  To protect aviation’s ability to be a catalyst for the economic recovery, we must not make that prognosis worse by making travel impracticable with quarantine measures. We need a solution for safe travel that addresses two challenges. It must give passengers confidence to travel safely and without undue hassle. And it must give governments confidence that they are protected from importing the virus. Our proposal is for a layering of temporary non-quarantine measures until we have a vaccine, immunity passports or nearly instant COVID-19 testing available at scale,” said de Juniac.

IATA’s proposal for a temporary risk-based layered approach to provide governments with the confidence to open their border without quarantining arrivals includes:

• Preventing travel by those who are symptomatic with temperature screening and other measures
• Addressing the risks of asymptomatic travelers with governments managing a robust system of health declarations and vigorous contact tracing.

The mutual recognition of agreed measures is critical for the resumption of international travel. This is a key deliverable of the COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

“CART has a very big job to do with little time to waste. It must find an agreement among states on the measures needed to control COVID-19 as aviation re-starts. And it must build confidence among governments that borders can be opened to travelers because a layered approach of measures has been properly implemented globally. IATA and the whole industry support this critical work,” said de Juniac.

Read Alexandre de Juniac’s remarks

Check the Outlook for air travel in the next 5 years report (pdf), presentation by Brian Pearce, IATA’s Chief Economist

This was the largest decline in recent history, reflecting the impact of government actions to slow the spread of COVID-19. In seasonally adjusted terms, global passenger volumes returned to levels last seen in 2006. March capacity (available seat kilometers or ASKs) fell by 36.2% and load factor plummeted 21.4 percentage points to 60.6%.

African airlines’ traffic fell 42.8% in March, which was a huge deterioration from a 1.1% decline in February. Capacity dropped 32.9%, and load factor contracted 10.5 percentage points to 60.8%.

“March was a disastrous month for aviation. Airlines progressively felt the growing impact of the COVID-19 related border closings and restrictions on mobility, including in domestic markets. Demand was at the same level it was in 2006 but we have the fleets and employees for double that. Worse, we know that the situation deteriorated even more in April and most signs point to a slow recovery,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

Click here to read the full statement released by IATA.

With capacity currently representing less than 5% of its usual operations, the airline is maintaining a minimum flight schedule justified by the latest customer repatriations and the need to maintain links with the French Overseas Departments and Territories.

Among the destinations served are 3 in mainland France (Toulouse, Marseille and Nice), some fifteen European cities and some twenty countries around the world. To date, more than 270,000 people, including 155,000 French nationals, have been repatriated.

These services make essential journeys possible, whether for medical or family reasons. They also allow the transport of cargo, such as medical equipment or food. Air France’s Cargo activity is playing an essential part in the airlift between France and China, in particular by operating B777 aircraft usually reserved for passenger transport. Thanks to these cabin conversions, the airline has increased its cargo capacity by 50%, enabling millions of masks, medical equipment and other goods to be flown to France.

Amel Hammouda, EVP Transformation & Network, said “We are continuing to adapt our network in real time to comply with international authorisations, but our role has always been and remains today more than ever the link between nations and people. We strive on a daily basis to make essential travel possible, while of course respecting our flight safety requirements and environmental responsibility”.

Pending the precise terms of the relaxed lockdown measures by the French government, Air France is preparing to resume its operations, starting with an increase in capacity on domestic flights. The flight schedule will then be gradually enhanced for the 2020 summer season. However, business will remain highly dependent on the opening of borders and customer bookings.

In this context, Air France teams remain mobilized to welcome all customers on board its aircraft as soon as possible and in complete safety.

Subject to UAE government imposed travel restrictions being lifted on passenger travel, Etihad plans to operate a reduced network of scheduled passenger services from 1 May to 30 June, with the aim of gradually returning to a fuller schedule as and when the global situation improves.

Etihad is also continuing to operate a growing schedule of special passenger flights allowing foreign nationals in the UAE the opportunity to travel out of the country, and to carry essential belly-hold cargo such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, and medical supplies. To date, the airline has also repatriated almost 600 UAE nationals on return services.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “The term ‘unprecedented’ is currently the most used in our industry, and the most appropriate. The monumental challenges being faced by all airlines, and our customers, have been beyond measure. However, we remain cautiously optimistic and will push ahead with our plans to resume normal flying, while striving to better serve and support our customers and our employees.

“While the intention is to assume a ‘business as usual’ approach to the restart of our operations, the aviation landscape has changed, and how it will look month by month is difficult to predict. This has necessitated a fundamental shift in focus for us. However, the cumulative gains achieved by our ongoing transformation, and the unwavering support of our shareholder, has left us in a relatively strong position to withstand any instability. We will pivot on this and act with agility to seize opportunities we may not have previously considered.

“We are implementing a series of network-wide route and fleet efficiencies, while conducting an extensive brand study and trialing new service concepts in our guest experience proposition. We are also using this time to drive further internal improvements in the efficient use of automation and technology across all areas of the business, while maintaining productivity, creativity and quality.”

Network and Fleet

Currently, Etihad is using 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777-300ER passenger aircraft, with five more ready for service, to complement its operational fleet of five 777-200F freighters. These aircraft are providing scheduled and special passenger and belly-hold cargo services to several destinations worldwide.

Since 25 March, approximately 500 special passenger, freighter and cargo flights have been operated. These include passenger and belly-hold freight flights to Amsterdam, Bogota, Brussels, Dublin, Frankfurt, Jakarta, London Heathrow, Manila, Melbourne, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Seoul Incheon, Singapore, Tokyo Narita, Washington, D.C., and Zurich, with other destinations planned.

Etihad has revised the launch date of its inaugural service to Vienna from 22 May to 1 July.

Etihad Cargo is now operating up to 100 turnaround flights per week to 32 destinations on five continents. In addition to normal scheduled cargo services, special freighter and humanitarian flights have been flown to Addis Ababa, Amsterdam, Beijing, Bogota, Bucharest, Copenhagen, Chennai, Cochin, Dublin, Frankfurt, Jeddah, Johannesburg, Karachi, Khartoum, Kiev, Milan, Paris, Rome, Shanghai, Tbilisi, Wuhan, and Zagreb. More special flights will be introduced in the coming weeks.

Most extensive maintenance programme in Etihad’s history

With 80 per cent of its passenger fleet on the ground, the airline has embarked on the biggest aircraft maintenance programme in its history. Etihad Engineering, the group’s Engineering Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) division, is performing maintenance work on 96 passenger aircraft including 29 Airbus A320 and A321s, 10 Airbus A380s, 38 Boeing 787s, and 19 Boeing 777-300ERs. The programme ranges from minor maintenance tasks, such as seat repairs and updates to Inflight Entertainment Systems, to bringing forward scheduled engine changes and modifications on several aircraft, eliminating the need to withdraw them from service when flights begin operating again.

To date, this work has seen almost 19,000 seat covers laundered, and over 40 rolls of new carpets and 367 metres of leather used. Furthermore, approximately 5,000 aircraft touch points have been checked, and more than 4,000 parts fabricated through the engineering workshop.

Customer care and Loyalty

The main priority is to provide continued support to its affected customers and the airline has introduced a range of travel waivers, solutions and benefits to help ease the burden the pandemic is having. Customers who booked directly with the airline before 31 August 2020, now have greater flexibility to change their bookings or to utilise generous value-added Etihad Credit where possible. This credit will provide each customer with the value of their current unused ticket and up to US $400, plus up to 5,000 Etihad Guest Miles, for future travel. Additionally, for tickets purchased directly from Etihad within Europe or the United States, a refund is also available if requested.

Etihad Guest, the airline’s loyalty programme, is supporting members to retain and upgrade their Tier Status through a number of initiatives while they remain unable to travel during this period. In addition to receiving the monthly bonus Tier Miles, members who achieved 80 per cent of the qualifying requirements will be extended or upgraded for 12 months. Members who achieved less than 80 per cent of the qualifying requirements will be extended for three months. Etihad Guest Miles that expired in March and are due to expire in April or May, will be extended for three months for members who have been active with the programme over the last 18 months. Members can also donate their miles to charities including the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and Emirates Red Crescent, who are supporting vulnerable refugees impacted or at risk as a result of COVID-19.

Community

Etihad’s award-winning catering unit, Etihad Airport Services Catering (EAS), has been commissioned by various government entities, business organisations and community centres, to prepare and provide meals to individuals impacted by the global spread of COVID-19. Since the start of the pandemic, EAS has cooked and delivered over 15,000 meals a day to people self-isolating or under quarantine, frontline medical staff, humanitarian drives and for various businesses across Abu Dhabi.

EAS is also delivering amenities and providing a laundry service for Etihad employees living in temporary isolation at the airline’s eco-residences in Masdar City so they can continue to operate essential freighter and special passenger flights. These include loadmasters, cargo agents, pilots and cabin crew. Etihad crew living in company provided accommodation and requiring a meal delivery service are also being catered for free of charge. 

“There have been lessons to be learned. In the early days of this pandemic, the disruption created by border closures and subsequent cancellations meant we were unable to effectively deal with the disruption our customers faced, despite our best efforts. We are tremendously pleased that we now have generous and considerate solutions that will undoubtedly deliver tangible benefits to them today, and when the time is right for them to travel again.

“The invaluable loyalty of our customers, our travel trade partners, and a phenomenal workforce which has continued to go above and beyond, despite taking temporary reductions in salary, will guarantee the security and continuity of the UAE’s great national airline,” concludes Mr. Douglas.