Page 8 - TMI April 2020 hi-res

INSIDER

OAG, ForwardKeys track airline seats impacted

To contain the spread of COVID-19
many governments have imposed travel
restrictions and travel bans. First, the
U.S. government limited flights between
Schengen countries and more recently the
EU.
A March 17 report from travel
analytics company ForwardKeys reveals
that the U.S. trans-Atlantic travel ban on
non-U.S. residents entering the country
from the Schengen area, due to the
coronavirus, has put 1.3 million airline
seats at risk of elimination as of midnight,
March 16, when the exclusion was
extended to the UK and Ireland.
This is in addition to the 2 million
seats placed in jeopardy with the initial ban
announced on March 14.
As reported by TMI on March 13, airline (13%). The most affected European France, around 400,000, the Netherlands
OAG says that the ban will affect 10.9% countries are Germany, France and the around 300,000, Spain, around 200,000
of all international flights and 16.9% of Netherlands—which service 57% of all then Italy and Switzerland, each with
all scheduled international seats between flights between the Schengen Area and U.S. around 100,000.
the United States and Schengen countries According to ForwardKeys, U.S. Olivier Ponti, VP Insights,
(the 22 countries of the European Union airline carriers Delta and United are set ForwardKeys said: “Whilst a few flights
plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and to lose around 400,000 seats. BA is next, are still operating, bringing permanent U.S.
Lichtenstein). Overall, 6,747 flights and followed by American, Lufthansa, Virgin residents and their immediate family back
roughly 2 million seats will be affected Atlantic, Air France, Aer Lingus, KLM and home, this is an unprecedented collapse in
each way over the next four weeks. Norwegian. air travel.
Delta and United Airlines are the In terms of countries, the UK is set “In an incredibly short space of time,
most affected U.S. carriers. Together, they to be worst hit, potentially losing over this ban has decimated the world’s busiest
account for 31% of the affected flights. a million seats. The UK is followed by and most profitable segment of the aviation
Lufthansa is the most affected European Germany, standing to lose around 500,000, industry, trans-Atlantic travel.”

FAA waives minimum slot use to help airlines affected by coronavirus

cancellations

The Federal Aviation Administration reciprocal relief by foreign authorities and Ronald Reagan Washington National
(FAA) is temporarily waiving minimum at airports in their countries, and may Airport (DCA). Additionally, at four other
slot-use requirements at seven U.S. determine not to grant a waiver to a foreign U.S. airports where the agency has a formal
airports to help airlines impacted by flight carrier whose home jurisdiction does not schedule review and approval process—
cancellations or reduced demand for air reciprocate. The agency will continue to Chicago O’Hare International Airport
travel, due to the coronavirus. monitor the coronavirus’s effect on travel (ORD), Newark Liberty International
Under normal circumstances, airlines demand and may adjust this waiver as Airport (EWR), Los Angeles International
can lose their slots at congested airports if circumstances warrant. The FAA will Airport (LAX), and San Francisco
they don’t use them at least 80 percent of inform airlines of any decision to extend International Airport (SFO)—the FAA will
the time. the waiver period as soon as possible. give credit to airlines for flights that were
The FAA is waiving the 80-percent- This waiver of the slot usage canceled due to the coronavirus through
use requirement through May 31, 2020 for requirement, which the FAA is publishing May 31, 2020, as though those flights had
U.S. and foreign airlines that have affected in the Federal Register, applies to John been operated, when the FAA conducts
flights. In doing so, the FAA expects that F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), future schedule development.
U.S. carriers will be accommodated with New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA),

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