Coronavirus: Singapore Airlines cuts 96 per cent of flights after travel ban March 23, 2020 Singapore Airlines has warned that the coronavirus epidemic represents the “greatest challenge” it has ever faced as the flag carrier cut 96 per cent of its passenger flights in response to the crisis. Late last night the island city-state took extreme steps to combat the spread of the disease by banning all inbound travellers. In [...]
Coronavirus: Airbus draws new €15bn credit line and cancels dividend March 23, 2020 Aerospace giant Airbus has taken drastic steps to mitigate the financial impact of the coronavirus epidemic, including securing a new €15bn credit facility. The world’s largest plane manufacturer has also suspended its guidance for the coming financial year and binned its 2019 dividend, which was worth approximately €1.4bn. Airbus will also pause its voluntary top [...]
Coronavirus: UK airlines await government rescue package March 22, 2020 The UK’s airlines are hopeful that the government will unveil its special package of measures to combat the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak in the coming days as they struggle to remain airborne due to the slump in air travel. The aviation sector remains in talks with transport secretary Grant Shapps over the shape [...]
Train operators running out of time to renew rail franchises March 22, 2020 Train operators are running short on time to agree new contracts with the government as the coronavirus outbreak continues to drive down passenger numbers. Go Ahead Group and First Group run the Great Western and South Eastern franchises respectively, the contracts for which expire on 31 March. Under the Railways Act, the government will step [...]
Coronavirus: Emirates Airlines suspends all passenger flights March 22, 2020 Emirates Airlines has today announced it will suspend all passenger flights, becoming the latest carrier to impose stringent measures upon itself in a bid to stave off financial devastation at the hands of the coronavirus outbreak. In addition to the dramatic step, the Dubai-based airline will also reduce the salaries of the majority of its [...]
Coronavirus: Renault chairman says car giant will not be nationalised March 22, 2020 Renault’s chairman is adamant that the French car giant will avoid renationalisation despite the immense pressure being put on the industry by the coronavirus outbreak. Speaking with Le Parisien, Jean-Dominique Senard did not rule out seeking help from the French government, which recently announced sweeping measures to protect businesses, but said a renationalisation “was not [...]
Coronavirus: All Ryanair staff to take a 50 per cent pay cut, says Michael O’Leary March 22, 2020 Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has said he and all of the airline’s staff will have their pay cut in half, as the low-cost carrier attempts to ride out the coronavirus epidemic. Speaking to the Financial Times, the 59-year-old boss of Europe’s biggest airline by passenger numbers said he was working on a best-case scenario of [...]
Coronavirus: Leading hotel chains in talks to provide rooms to NHS March 19, 2020 Some of the world’s largest hotel chains are in talks with the government about providing space for NHS workers as the UK battles the coronavirus outbreak. One group, Best Western Great Britain, is offering 15,000 hotel bedrooms and over 1,000 meeting rooms to help the NHS and local authorities. Intercontinental Hotel Group also said it [...]
Norwegian Air offered 3bn krone rescue package from officials March 19, 2020 Norway’s government has ridden to the rescue of beleaguered Norwegian Air with the offer of a credit guarantee of 3bn krone. Shares in the low-cost carrier soared on the news, jumping 18 per cent over the course of the day. City A.M understands that the 3bn package is part of a 6bn krone package Norwegian [...]
Coronavirus: Italy death toll surpasses China despite lockdown March 19, 2020 More people have now died of coronavirus in Italy than in China, where the disease was first recorded, after the death toll in the country rose by 427 in the last 24 hours. According to the latest figures, 3,405 people have now died from the disease in Italy, ahead of 3,245 in China. The increase [...]
