Industry Latest COVID-19 news shock aviation industry

Yesterday, low-cost carrier Norwegian had to announce that it will suspend more than 4000 flights. This results in nearly 40 percent of the long-haul fleet being grounded. After the expanded spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19, demand for air travel decreased significantly.

As precaution measure, U.S.-President Donald Trump has implemented a 30-Day Travel Ban for Europe. The ban came, after over 1000 cases were confirmed in the States alone. Trump said, that action had to be taken in order to limit the spreading of the virus.

Especially carriers like Norwegian, Air France-KLM, Iberia and Lufthansa are being affected by this ban. Norwegian had to suspend 50 percent of its employees. Jacob Schram, CEO of Norwegian said: “This is an unprecedented situation and our main priority continues to be the care and safety of our customers and colleagues. The new restrictions imposed further pressure on an already difficult situation. We urge international governments to act now to ensure that the aviation industry can protect jobs and continue to be a vital part of the global economic recovery.”

As Schengen-based European airlines, British Airways, Aer Lingus, TUI, Virgin and comparable airlines will not be as much affected, as the travel ban is not in force for passengers from the United Kingdom and Ireland.

After Boeing announced, that one of its employees had been positively tested on COVID-19, Airbus had to make a similar announcement on Thursday. A worker in the manufacturer´s facility at Getafe in Spain has been positively tested with the virus. The company has therefore advised other employees to take quarantine.

The manufacturer wrote in a statement: "As a precautionary measure, all co-workers who have been in direct contact with this employee have been asked to self-quarantine by staying at home for the next 14 days. Health and safety are our number one priority. Airbus is following medical protocols from global and national health authorities and has implemented staff guidelines in relation to social interactions, hygiene, travel and visits to Airbus."

In the last days, various airlines had to announce the cancelation of flights due to the decreased demand for flights.