We start this week with some content from Emirates Airline, which prior to the coronavirus pandemic was one of the world's largest international airline. It promises "we will one day reconnect the world and fly you better than ever before". We all hope that days comes sooner rather than later.
As American Airlines notes, right now it is easy to miss the little things that make a difference. It, like all airlines across the world, is trying to maintain a skeletal operation that keeps those that need to travel connected. In a post on its social media channels it has highlighted how one of its flight attendants, Taylor Tippett, has been trying to keep travellers smiling, and to spread that smile onwards.
TAP - Air Portugal says #We WillFlyAgain and will #SeeYouSoon. The airline is a rarity right now by actually announcing three new routes for the coming northern hemisphere winter schedule. These comprise a three times weekly Lisbon-Agadir service with ATR 72 operated by White Airways, effective 25-Oct-2020; a three times weekly Lisbon-Cancun service with A330-900neo effective 27-Oct-2020; and a three times weekly Lisbon-Cape Town service with A330-900, effective 11-Nov-2020.
The last two Thursday evenings at 8pm in the United Kingdom people have stopped what they are doing ans stood on their doorsteps, in gardens, on balconies or at windows and completed a "Clap for Carers" tribute, saluting NHS staff and other key workers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. The amazing fire services team at Manchester Airport were among those to show their respect last week.
While passenger services are reducing, cargo demand is on the rise and not just to support the increased need for the transport of medical resources. Singapore Changi Airport has recently seen the arrival of a new regular four-times weekly flight from Kalitta Air as DHL Express expands its activities. Ching Kiat Lim, managing director, Airhub development at the Asian gateway says: "With the current disruptions in global supply chains, Singapore Changi Airport is seeing new requests for cargo flights."
Like American Airlines, the TAV Airports team at Skopje International Airport wants to keep us smiling during these tough times.
Last week we highlighted how cabin crew of SAS Scandinavian Airlines were retraining and using their first aid training to provide medical support in their homeland. It is a similar story for staff at other airlines. Among these is leisure carrier TUI Airways where staff are being utilised across hospitals in the UK as part of the St John's Ambulance COVID-19 volunteering programme.
With so many aircraft now parked it does make it difficult to find space for them all. At Amsterdam Schiphol a consolidation of terminal infrastructure has meant many of KLM's aircraft have been able to be parked on currently non active apron space. As the Netherlands' flag carrier notes: "quite a puzzle".
It is a similar story at Pittsburgh International Airport as is visible in this video from Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny Country Airport Authority.
This is a classic guess the airport opportunity No, not Frankfurt, nor Munich, not Los Angeles or New York, but Christchurch International Airport in New Zealand. A large number of aircraft currently flying are supporting repatriation efforts and these two Boeing 747-400s where in New Zealand to pick up German citizens - it was a long journey back home to Frankfurt via Bangkok.
In these uncertain times, Virgin Australia has highlighted the importance of its employees. "We have been amazed by their strength, commitment, willingness to go above and beyond to help our guests," it says and has given them a big Thank You!
It appears that many of these Virgin Australia staff are multi-skilled as this video of staff at Sydney Airport highlights, obviously while still maintaining social distancing requirements.
For all of us currently balancing our work with looking after and educating our children, the Manchester Airport Community Relations Team has published a fun and engaging puzzle book, for you to download, that will help budding young aviation fans 'reach for the sky'. The activity book is filled with brainteasers, puzzles and challenges. The activities, which include a mix of literacy, maths and artistic exercises, have been crafted to suit primary school children of all ages. The tasks all have a theme of aviation and travel, from understanding the world's different time zones to creating fact files on countries across the globe and thinking about the skills needed for lots of different kinds of jobs. You can download the publication here: Reach For The Sky
We finish this week with a warning for all of us that are spending much more of our time on online conference calls and meetings as we try to continue business as usual while at home in isolation. The recent increase in virtual meetings has seen an increase in humorous video call fails. Here are a few of our favourites.