The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this post as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click on this link.
This week’s issue of Travel Markets Insider focuses on a slew of airport and aviation developments in the Americas, beginning with the petition by several U.S. industry associations (The International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores; the Airport Restaurant and Retail Association; the Airport Minority Advisory Council; the National Parking Association; and the American Car Rental Association) to Congress requesting that the government issue financial relief of at least US$5 billion for airport concessionaires operating duty free, F&B, car parking, car rental and other commercial contracts. Page 1.
From there we go to Latin America where two economists speaking at an ASUTIL-hosted webinar last week predict that Latin America is unlikely to see any recovery from the current crisis before 2021, and that it could take the region’s two major powers longer than that to even reach pre-COVID levels. John Gallagher reports.
In related news, a June 25th blog from OAG Aviation Worldwide discusses the shake-up in South America’s aviation industry, analyzing the impact of the bankruptcies of LATAM, Avianca, TAME (Ecuador), and as of today, Aeromexico. Pages 1-2.
U.S. AVIATION
There may be hints of a slight recovery on the horizon regarding commercial aviation in the U.S.
Travel analytics company ForwardKeys reports that the United States is seeing the beginning of a rebound in domestic air travel, and expects the upcoming July 4th weekend to be a high point after the drastic drop in aviation from the coronavirus pandemic over the past four months.
Along these lines, U.S. carriers are beginning to resume flights to China and other international destinations. Page 3.
On the concession front, the Atlanta City Council has voted to approve a request by Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to extend rent relief to airport restaurant and shop operators for a year, as the concessionaires continue to suffer from drastically reduced passenger traffic during the coronavirus pandemic. Page 3.
Do not expect to see a steady increase in traffic, however. American Airlines announced today that it is cutting its long-haul international schedule for winter 2020 through summer 2021, reducing capacity by 25% compared to 2019. Page 4.
In other developments, Airports Council International (ACI) World has released its Smart Security Vision 2040 which sets the foundation for achieving a seamless airport security screening experience post-COVID-19; Delta Airlines is collaborating with the Mayo Clinic to advise on making travel safer; and major U.S. airlines now require passengers to complete a health affirmation before any flight. See details on page 4.
ASSOCIATIONS/COMPANY NEWS
TFWA is launching a series of webinars on themes that will assist the industry as it heads towards recovery. The next one will be on Thursday, July 16, at 10:30 CET, and repeated at 17:00 CET (11 am EDT) See page 4 for details and registration information.
Keith Spinks, who has devoted thirty years of service to the travel retail industry, is stepping down from his role as Senior Counsel at the European Travel Retail Confederation at the end of August. Page 1.
Dufry is implementing a restructuring program to mitigate the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic that aims to reduce personnel expenses between 20-35%. Page 2.
SUPPLY SIDE: BEAUTY
Rituals has extended The Ritual of Namasté natural skincare collection with a complementary body care line. Page 5
Gucci adds three new limited edition shades to Rouge à Lèvres Satin line. Page 5
Coty launches new Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia limited edition. Page 5
SUPPLY SIDE
Hi-tech Glass 2 thermal glasses that can scan 1,000 persons per minute targets cruise channel. Three respected cruise industry veterans are bringing a leading new technology to the cruise channel, which is implementing new safety and sanitation measures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to its speed, the thermal glasses eliminate the need to obtrusively slow down embarkation and disembarkation lines by measuring each individual. Page 6
Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled a new special edition single malt to mark the Championship that was due to take place in July this year. The Loch Lomond 12 Year Old The Open Special Edition 2020 was created to celebrate The 149th Open at Royal St George’s in Kent, which has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Page 6
