All Posts in "Aviation"

Cristiano Ronaldo’s $25m Private Jet

By admin

 

The first one to arrive at training and the last one to leave, Cristiano Ronaldo always goes the extra mile to keep on top of his game.

This mentality translates across the superstar’s life. As the footballer continues to break records during the Euro 2020 tournament, we thought we’d take a look at the private jet he flies.

Big money

The 36-year-old is still in top form following his brace against Hungary this week as he became the first player to feature in matches at five Euro finals.

The Portugal international has also been in the spotlight off the pitch with his Coca-Cola snub at a press conference. His impact on society is so broad, that his declaration of choosing water over the soft drink cost the brand an estimated $4 billion.

With such a prominent presence across the globe and a net worth of around $500 million, Ronaldo requires adequate privacy as he continues to fly from city to city for work. Thus, his vessel of choice is a Gulfstream G200, holding registration EC-KBC.

The aircraft

According to Aviapages, this super-midsize class jet can fit up to 10 passengers with a width of 2.19 m and length of 7.44 m. There are three divan seats, three beds, and of course, a lavatory.

The aircraft was produced with serial number 145 in 2006, but it was refurbished in 2019.

Along with an electric oven, there is a refrigerator, satellite phone, entertainment system, fax machine, and microwave on Ronaldo’s aircraft.

All this allows him, his partner Georgina Rodriguez, and his children, to keep occupied while onboard

Formerly known as the IAI Galaxy, only 250 units of the G200 were made between 1997 and 2011. The aircraft has a max speed of 560 mph (900 km/h) and a cruise speed of 528 mph (850 km/h). It can also reach a range of up to 3,400 NM (6,300 km) with four passengers and two flight crew members on board. These specs allow Ronaldo to jet between cities seamlessly.
Flying in style

The G200 isn’t the only Gulfstream jet that Ronaldo has chosen to hit the skies in. During a tour of Asia in the spring of 2019, he hopped around in the G650, a model worth approximately a whopping $65 million!

This type can carry up to 18 passengers and has an impressive range of up to 7,000 NM (12,964 km). It is also one of the fastest business jets with a high speed cruise of up to 594 mph (956 km/h).

So, however Ronaldo chooses to fly, he does so with class. He will undoubtedly be looking forward to bringing another Euro medal home on his jet after this tournament is over.

Patoma Admin by — June 20, 2021 in Aviation 0
Finally, UAE lift ban on travels between Dubai, Nigeria

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The United Arab Emirates, UAE, has finally lifted ban on travels between Dubai and Nigeria after a protracted disagreement between the two countries on Covid-19 protocols.

UAE had insisted on travelers from Nigeria undergoing several other covid-19 tests after the initial test in Nigeria.

Announcing the resumption of flight between the two countries yesterday, a message from the Dubai Media Office said passengers from Nigeria are now expected to ” have received a negative result for a PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure.”

” Passengers are also expected to present a negative PCR test certificate with a OR code from laboratories approved by the Nigerian government, while also undergoing the same test upon arrival at the Dubai airport”.

Reacting to the resumption of normal flights between Nigeria and Dubai yesterday, Emirates in a statement said : “Emirates welcomes the latest protocols and measures announced by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management to allow the safe resumption of passenger travel from South Africa, Nigeria and India to Dubai.”

“We look forward to facilitating travel from these countries and supporting various travelers’ categories. We will resume carrying passengers from South Africa, Nigeria and India in accordance with these protocols from 23rd June.”

” We thank the Supreme Committee for their continuous efforts in monitoring the development of the situation and announcing the appropriate guidelines and protocols to protect the community and safeguard travel sector,” the statement added.

Patoma Admin by — June 19, 2021 in Aviation 0
Joseph Lau, Drake own world top 5 biggest private jets

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

Private jets have seen a wave of first-time buyers over the past year as people with the means to purchase them have grown weary of flight cancellations and severed routes. Very few toy seriously with the idea of owning a widebody aircraft all of their own. However, that is just what the people on this list decided to click buy on. Let’s take a look at the largest private aircraft in the world.

1. Joseph Lau’s private 747-8 VIP

The biggest private jet in the world belongs to Hong Kong real estate tycoon Joseph Lau. It is valued at US$367 million. The longest and second-largest commercial aircraft ever built has a 445 square meter interior and on Lau’s version, its two levels are connected by a spiral staircase. The initial price tag from Boeing was US$153 million. Lau then added modifications for the additional US$214 million.

While the specifics of the interior are kept under wraps, the 747-8 reportedly features a lavish office space, several guest rooms, vaulted ceilings, as well as an onboard gym. An actual workout certainly beats walking up and down the aisle to keep circulation flowing on transpacific long-haul flights to help combat jet lag.

One of the richest people on the planet, the Sultan of Brunei, also gets about in a 747-8 VIP. However, the eight-year-old quadjet with registration V8-BHK officially belongs to the Government of Brunei, and as such, we have chosen not to include it. The aircraft replaced the previous transportation of the Sultan, a 747-400, in 2016.

747 Saudi Prince

Saudi Prince Al Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz al Saud’s has his own private Boeing 747-400, complete with a throne. Photo: Getty Images

2. Prince Al Waleed bin Talal’s private 747-400

The world’s second-largest private jet, a Boeing 747-400, belongs to Prince Al Waleed bin Talal. Number 45 on Forbes’ list of the wealthiest people in the world, the Saudi Arabian royal and investor owns chunks of companies across the US, Europe, and the Middle East.

When the Prince bought the plane in 2003 it still had 400 passenger seats. These were torn out to make way for a dining room for 14 people, two luxurious double bedrooms, and, because why not, a golden throne in the middle of the cabin. The jet is reportedly serviced by 11 flight attendants.

3. Alisher Usmanov’s Airbus A340

The largest private jet in the Russian Federation does not belong to Vladimir Putin, who in his indefinite presidential capacity flies a heavily modified version of an Ilyushin Il-96. It belongs instead to Uzbek-born Alisher Bourkanovich Usmanov.

The oligarch’s Airbus A340-400 is close to 13 years old. Since February this year, it is operated on his behalf by Margaux Aviation after 12 years with Global Jet Luxembourg, previously known as Silver Arrows. Usmanov acquired the four-engined jet in 2012 after selling Facebook shares for US$1.4 billion.

The plane has been named after Usmanov’s father and has ‘Bourkhan’ lettered on the front part of the fuselage. Its owner has reportedly customized the plane to reach a value of US$450 million. The interior features the usual widebody VIP extravaganzas such as a dining area, king-size beds, and luxurious leather seats.

Meanwhile, true to proper Russian oligarch form, Usmanov’s A340 also has a nightclub area. With a range of 7,300 NM (13,400 km), you could party all the way from Moscow to Lima or Los Angeles.

4. Roman Abramovich’s Boeing 767-300

The Chelsea boss and Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich owns a Boeing 767-33AER nicknamed ‘The Bandit’ due to a feature of the livery with black slanted stripes around the cockpit windows. Abramovich picked up the jet, originally intended for Hawaiian Airlines which ended up canceling the order, in 2004.

It has reportedly been fitted with a banquet hall that can accommodate 30 people, a full-service kitchen, and gold-gilded bathrooms. Moreover, it has the same anti-ballistic missile system as the US presidential aircraft Air Force One.

When not used for his private transportation, Abramovich lends it to the Chelsea FC players. He has even been known to fly prospective signees to London for contract negotiations.

Abramovich 767

Roman Abramovich’s ‘The Bandit’ features the same anti-ballistic system as the Air Force One. Photo: Papas Dos via Wikimedia Commons

5. Drake’s private Boeing 767-200

Canadian rapper Drake acquired his very own Boeing 767-200ER early in 2019. Well, it is not exactly owned by Drake. Rather, it belongs to Ontario-based Cargojet. The plane is a free-publicity deal for the airfreight company, and why not, if you have a plane or two to spare. Who foots the fuel bill remains a little unclear.

Meanwhile, that is not to say that the aircraft has not been outfitted in style, with plush velvet sofas rather than stiff seats, a fully carpeted floor, gold and wood surfaces, a full-mirror wall, an entertainment room, and three fully-enclosed private suits.

‘Air Drake’ features the logo of the rapper’s clothing line but also that of Canadian airfreight company Cargojet that has sponsored Drake with the plane.

Honorary mention: Prince Al Waleed bin Talal’s Private A380 that never was
When it comes to size, it is hard to beat the Airbus A380. The manufacturer’s double-decker behemoth of a bird may not have sold in many exemplars to private customers, in fact, only one to be precise. Meanwhile, not even the one ended up being used the way it was intended.

The Prince placed the order for the aircraft at the Dubai Air Show in 2007. Sources say it was to be outfitted with a Turkish hammam, a garage for the Prince’s Rolls-Royce, a lift spanning three floors, a private suite, and even a space for concerts.

However, its intended customer never took delivery of the plane. Instead, Prince Al Waleed bin Talal sold it on to an undisclosed buyer who, according to Forbes, officially took delivery in late 2012.

Patoma Admin by — June 17, 2021 in Aviation 0
EU, US end 17years dispute over Airbus, Boeing subsidy

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The European Union (EU) and the United States are set to end their 17-year dispute over aircraft subsidies involving Airbus and Boeing.

After holding talks at a US-EU Summit in Brussels, both parties have agreed to suspend punitive tariffs for five years and cooperate more closely.

After a 17-year-long disagreement involving subsidies for aerospace manufacturers Airbus and Boeing, the EU and US have finally arrived at a resolution. Officials from all parties involved confirmed the news this Tuesday, including President Joe Biden at the US-EU Summit in Brussels.

The agreement will suspend an estimated $11.5 billion worth of punitive tariffs imposed by the EU and US for five years. Various products, including wine, tobacco, cheese and spirits, were previously slapped with hefty tariffs as both sides engaged in retaliatory trade skirmishes.

Additionally, both parties will work closely on developing new aircraft and adhere to standards of fairness and transparency
“Today’s announcement resolves a long-standing irritant in the U.S.-EU relationship. Instead of fighting with one of our closest allies, we are finally coming together against a common threat.”

An agreement over the dispute has been brewing for some time, with the Biden administration hoping to ease tensions that grew during Trump’s presidency. In March, the EU and US agreed to suspend the aforementioned tariffs for four months as they worked towards a more lasting resolution.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said of the agreement,
This really opens a new chapter in our relationship because we move from litigation to cooperation on aircraft — after 17 years of dispute.”

Along with the suspension of tariffs, the EU and US have agreed to not provide specific support for any one manufacturer. The Airbus-Boeing dispute broke out due to accusations of unfair favoritism from both sides. In 2004, the US claimed Airbus had received billions in unfair subsidies from European governments, with the EU counter-claiming Boeing had received similar aid from the US.

According to an EU statement, both sides will seek to “preserve a level-playing field between our aircraft manufacturers and will also work to prevent new differences from arising.”

The EU and US are also concerned about the non-market practices of other countries, with U.S Trade Representative Katherine Tai mentioning China by name.
Additionally, the EU and US will work together to provide research and development funding and establish a fair, transparent process for cooperation in the future.

Under an accord titled ‘Understanding on a cooperative framework for Large Civil Aircraft’, the EU and US have agreed to: Refrain from R&D funding as well as specific support (such as specific tax breaks) to their own producers that would harm the other side.

Offer financing to large civil aircraft producers on market terms.
Provide R&D funding through an open and transparent process and make the results of fully government-funded R&D widely available.

Collaborate on addressing non-market practices of third parties that may harm their respective large civil aircraft industries.
Establish a ‘Working Group on Large Civil Aircraft’ led by each side’s respective Minister responsible for Trade.
European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis summarized,

“With this agreement, we are grounding the Airbus-Boeing dispute… We now have time and space to find a lasting solution through our new Working Group on Aircraft, while saving billions of euros in duties for importers on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Shares in Boeing and Airbus both went up by 0.5 percent on Tuesday morning after the news broke. Airbus officials have celebrated the agreement, which the company states “will provide the basis to create a level-playing field which we have advocated for since the start of this dispute.” Christian Scherer, Airbus CCO, said at a media briefing today,

“From Airbus’s perspective, we’re clearly welcome that anything that levels the playing field in this highly competitive industry and avoids this terrible, lose-lose proposition of tariffs across the Atlantic or across any borders for that matter, is good… Anything that substantiates a long-term convergence between the two sides of the Atlantic on this is from my perspective really good.”

Boeing also praised the agreement in statement today, Boeing welcomes the agreement by Airbus and the European Union that all future government support for the development or production of commercial aircraft must be provided on market terms. Boeing will fully support the U.S. Government’s efforts to ensure that the principles in this understanding are respected.”

Patoma Admin by — June 17, 2021 in Aviation 0
Lagos-Ibadan to commence twice a day operation from Tuesday

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The Lagos- Ibadan and Ibadan- Lagos will commence ftwice a day operation from Tuesday, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) said.

The service will mark the full operation of the standard gauge service since the formal commissioning by President Buhari last week.

The Management of NRC announced the schedule on Sunday in a statement signed by the Lagos District Manager, Mr Jerry Oche.

According to him, the Lagos Ibadan Train Services will now be available in the mornings from Tuesday.

“The updated time table for Tuesday to Friday is as follows: Lagos to Ibadan: 8:00 a:m from Mobolaji Johnson Station at Alagomeji Ebute – Meta Lagos.

“Also the train will take off from Ibadan to Lagos: 8:00 am from Obafemi Awolowo Station at Moniya.

“The train will take off from Lagos to Ibadan: 4:00 pm from Mobolaji Johnson Station Alagomji, while from Ibadan to Lagos: 4:00 pm from Obafemi Awolowo Station at Moniya.

“The standard gauge train schedule on Saturday from Lagos to Ibadan: 8:30 am from Mobolaji Johnson Station at Alagomeji while the train will leave from Ibadan to Lagos: 8:30 am from Obafemi Awolowo Station at Moniya.

For Saturday evening from Lagos to Ibadan: 6:00 pm from Mobolaji Johnson Station at Alagomji, while the train will take off from Ibadan to Lagos: 6:00 pm from Obafemi Awolowo Station at Moniya,” Oche said.

He said that the Alagomeji, Abeokuta, and Moniya are the stop stations of the Lagos Ibadan Train Service

Patoma Admin by — June 13, 2021 in Aviation 0
Nigerian Networking: A Look At The Country’s International Routes

With over 210 million people, Nigeria is overwhelmingly Africa’s most populous country and the world’s seventh-largest.

It had 4.63 million international passengers in 2019, its highest to date. In a week next month, seven airlines will fly long-haul from Nigeria with 11 bookable routes. Emirates will be the largest carrier with service to both Lagos and Abuja.

Just over one-quarter (26 percent) of Nigeria’s air passengers flew internationally in 2019, an examination of data from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria reveals.

There were some 4.63 million international passengers, the highest year to date in what has been a tumultuous decade.
Seven long-haul airlines

Nigeria has seven airlines with bookable long-haul service in the week beginning July 12th, as follows, with ‘long-haul’ here meaning 3,000 miles or more. No Nigerian airline features, although Air Peace was due to operate a twice-weekly Lagos-Sharjah service using its sole B777-200ER, but it isn’t available for booking. It is quite a contrast to Ethiopian Airlines.

Emirates is Nigeria’s largest long-haul airline this summer week. This is the result of 14-weekly departures services by the B777-300ER in a three-class layout. Qatar Airways, meanwhile, also has 14-weekly, of which three continue from Lagos to the Nigerian capital, Abuja, before returning to Doha via Lagos. Delta, meanwhile, serves the US 12-weekly.

11 bookable long-haul routes

There are 11 bookable long-haul routes in this particular week, as shown below, involving three Nigerian cities (Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt). It is obviously hugely about Lagos, Africa’s largest city, which has nearly nine in ten of the country’s international seats (86%)

Delta’s Lagos operation

Delta inaugurated Atlanta-Lagos in 2007 using the B767-300ER. It was followed in 2010 by JFK, although the route operated for just three months, an examination of Ciricum’s data shows. Lagos-JFK returned in 2018, and both it and Atlanta are now served using 234-seat A330-200s, equipped with 34 Delta One seats

Looking back to 2019, Delta had an 86% seat load factor (SLF) to JFK while it was 88% to Atlanta, according to the US’ T-100. Of course, the one measure that really matters is passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM), but SLF is nonetheless insightful to a point.

Approximately 81,000 round-trip passengers transited Atlanta, a hub that Simple Flying explored in March, with Baltimore the largest market, based on booking data from OAG Traffic Analyzer. Maryland has the US’ second-largest population of Nigerian Americans, after Texas, which is suggested below.

 

By Simple Flying

Patoma Admin by — June 12, 2021 in Aviation 0
American Airlines Flight Diverts As Passenger Skips Security Check

By admin

 

American Airlines flight full of passengers jetting off for a Mexican vacation had to divert after discovering that one passenger had skipped airport security.

American Airlines flight number AA881 took off from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) at 08:25 on June 8, 2021. The plane was en route to Cancun International Airport (CUN) in Mexico and was climbing at 6,750 feet when the pilots received a call.

They were informed that one passenger had boarded the aircraft without going through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security.

The 12-year-old Airbus A321 registration N508AY immediately stopped the climb and returned to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). When the plane landed, it was met by Charlotte Mecklenburg Police (CMPD), who boarded the plane and arrested a passenger sitting in the first row of first class.

He was a former airline employee
When American Airlines was asked about the incident by aviation enthusiast website View From The Wing American Airlines, spokesperson Sarah Jantz said
American Airlines flight 881 returned to Charlotte shortly after takeoff following reports of a potential security concern.

Upon arrival, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police (CMPD) met the flight and escorted one customer off the aircraft. The flight departed for Cancun at 10:40 a.m. with all other customers following a precautionary maintenance inspection and security sweep.”

Patoma Admin by — June 10, 2021 in Aviation 0
Route Expansion: Air Peace connects PH-Benin, Kano-PH; restores Kano-Asaba

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

 

WITH the arrival of more of its aircraft and few more expected,  Air Peace has introduced a set of new connections to offer the flying public more options as it has announced the commencement of Port Harcourt-Kano-Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt-Benin-Port Harcourt and resumption of Kano-Asaba-Kano.

Spokesperson of Air Peace, Stanley Olisa, who made this revelation to journalists on Thursday, stated that Kano-PHC-Kano, starting June 15, would operate twice weekly while Asaba-Kano-Asaba, starting June 14, would run three days every week. Benin-PHC-Benin, starting June 18, will operate on Fridays and Sundays.

“Tickets for these new connections are already selling and the flying public can start booking on our website flyairpeace.com or the mobile app”, he asserted, while adding that the new connections further reflect Air Peace’s commitment to providing strategic connectivity which addresses the gaps in Nigeria’s air travel.

The airline is set to launch scheduled daily flights to Ilorin from Lagos and Abuja on June 17, 2021, and plans to kick off Gombe and Ibadan routes soon.

Air Peace currently services 16 domestic routes, 5 regional routes and 2 international destinations including Johannesburg, and boasts of a mixed fleet of 28 aircraft, including 2 brand new Embraer 195-E2 jets delivered earlier this year, with 11 more lined up for delivery

Patoma Admin by — June 10, 2021 in Aviation 0
NCAA approves prepackaged in-fight catering service for passengers

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

THE Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved that domestic airlines shall serve pre-packed meals, snacks etc in sealed containers to their passengers during disembarkation but passengers are not allowed to consume in-flight.

This was made known in an All Operators Letter (AOL) signed by Director General NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu with Ref: NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/312 addressed to Accountable Managers on June 4th, 2021 titled ‘Public health guidelines for companies providing in flight catering services to airlines operating domestic flights.

The letter read, “Catering Service providers have been identified by the Authority as one of the key service providers to airlines that are required to put in place COVID-19 risk management measures to assure the travelling public that catering products (meals, snacks etc) served on board flights are not a potential source of COVID-19 infection.

“With the resumption of domestic flight operations in the country in-flight catering companies were required by the Authority to carry out regular risk assessments of their operations and put in place remedial actions to address any identified hazard to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 virus to their customers through their products.

“Catering in form of packed meals (food and snacks) can be served on domestic flights by in-flight catering companies who have carried out the appropriate risk assessment and have the approval of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.

“Domestic airlines shall serve pre-packed catering products (Meals, snacks etc) in sealed containers to their passengers during disembarkation.  No catering products shall be served or consumed in-flight by airlines or passengers respectively on any domestic flight.

The letter directed, “This AOL supersedes previous AOLs issued on in-flight catering services on domestic flights with respect to COVID-19 restrictions/limitations.

The NCAA stressed that Non-compliance with this AOL shall attract appropriate sanctions.

Patoma Admin by — June 8, 2021 in Aviation 0
Operators of US, UK passenger services call for reopening of transatlantic travel

 

 

Chief Executive Officers, CEOs of all airlines that offer UK-US passenger services – American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic joined today with Heathrow Airport and other industry in calling for the re-opening of transatlantic travel, a move that will be essential to igniting economic recovery.

Top leaders in aviation and travel came together ahead of the G7 meeting in Cornwall later this week to push for the reopening of the UK – US travel corridor.

With world-leading vaccination programmes in both the UK and US, there is a clear opportunity to safely open up travel between these two low-risk countries, enabling consumers on both sides of the Atlantic to reconnect with loved ones, re-establish business relationships and explore new destinations after more than a year of lockdowns and restrictions.

The CEOs urged both governments to take a data-driven and risk-based approach to re-opening borders to travel.

A line-up of American Airlines CEO Doug Parker, British Airways CEO and Chairman Sean Doyle, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye, JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes, United CEO Scott Kirby, U.S.

Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow and Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss joined forces at the panel event, hosted by Duncan Edwards, Chief Executive of BritishAmerican Business.

The participants spoke up after more than a year of travel restrictions that have deeply impacted the global economy and trade and tourism between the two countries.

They discussed the merits of having the US on the UK’s ‘green list’, which means travellers from the US would no longer need to self-isolate on arrival in the UK, as well as the benefits that would arise from the US lifting the UK-related travel ban (the so-called 212(f) order)  to open up the transatlantic corridor for UK residents to enter the US.

The US is the UK’s largest trading partner and UK businesses are losing £23 million each day that transatlantic links remain closed.  In 2019, 900,000 tonnes of cargo also travelled between the two countries.

In the US, 63.5 percent of adults have received at least one dose, while about half of adults – 139 million people have been fully vaccinated. In the UK, almost 68 million have received shots – more than 75% of the country’s adult population. Studies show that the vaccine programmes in both countries are successfully reducing transmission and the severity of infection, plus fighting variants, and case counts in both countries continue to decline rapidly.

Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic commented: “There is no reason for the US to be absent from the UK ‘Green’ list. This overly cautious approach fails to reap the benefits of the successful vaccination programmes in both the UK and the US. While transatlantic links with the US are restricted, it’s costing UK economy £23 million each day. We urge Prime Minister Johnson and President Biden to lead the way in opening the skies, making it a top priority at the G7 Summit. Customers, families and businesses need to book and travel with confidence. After 15 months of restrictions, the time to act is now.”

Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO, British Airways said: “As President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Boris Johnson meet this week, they must address the transatlantic ban that is separating our two low-risk countries at a major cost to our citizens and economies. We urgently need them to look to the science and base their judgements on a proper risk analysis, allowing us all to benefit from the protection offered by our successful vaccine rollouts.

In the UK this means making the traffic light system fit for purpose, including a pathway to restriction-free travel for vaccinated travellers, and getting rid of complexity surrounding ‘amber list’ countries, eliminating quarantine and reducing the number of tests passengers are required to take.”

John Holland-Kaye, CEO, Heathrow said: “Connectivity between the UK and the US is one of the great engines of the global economy. The scientific data shows transatlantic travel and trade can be reopened safely and every day that policymakers delay puts jobs, livelihoods and the economic chances of hardworking folks across our countries at risk unnecessarily.

“We cannot continue to keep locked-up indefinitely. Politicians should seize on the successful vaccination programmes in our two countries to begin looking to a future where we manage COVID rather than letting it manage us.”

“As we see people reclaiming their lives and reconnecting with loved ones, it’s clear that the infection rates of our countries indicate an extraordinarily low risk to travel between the US the UK, provided travelers are vaccinated or can produce a negative PCR test prior to boarding a flight,” said Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Air Lines. “Our modeling studies conducted with Mayo Clinic put the risk of transmission on a plane traveling between the UK and US at 1 in 1 million.”

“We’re proud of the measures American and others have taken to navigate the pandemic and ensure we deliver a safe, healthy and enjoyable experience for customers as they return to travel,” said Doug Parker, Chairman and CEO of American Airlines.

“Reopening travel between the US and UK is a critical next step in both the travel industry and the global economy’s recovery. With vaccine availability continuing to expand, we know that our business and leisure customers are increasingly eager to cross the Atlantic, and we know that when they do, it will provide a major boost to the economies in the US, UK and around the world. We look forward to continuing to work with both governments as they make this important decision.”

“Throughout the pandemic, experts have encouraged governments, businesses and the public to follow the science,” said United’s CEO, Scott Kirby. “United and other airlines have done just that and implemented the necessary safety protocols to confidently re-open key international routes like the air corridor between our two countries.

Programs like the trials of COVID-free flights between Newark and Heathrow and the US Department of Defense air filtration study conducted on board United aircraft not only contributed to the body of scientific knowledge, they have demonstrated the near non-existent rates of viral transmission aboard an aircraft. And now, through mobile app, travelers can upload verified test results and vaccine records before international travel. All this with the successful leadership of vaccination efforts by both governments, no interests are served by delaying re-opening of these essential air routes any longer. We are ready.”

“The surge in travel in recent weeks has been remarkable as case counts fall and vaccination rates rise and we’re confident that demand for travel between the US and the UK would follow a similar recovery pattern with an established travel corridor between the two countries,” said Robin Hayes, Chief Executive Officer, JetBlue.

“As international destinations have opened to travelers across our Latin America and Caribbean network and traveling has been made easier with fewer border restrictions, we’ve seen a notable uptick in the number of people flying to these destinations. Data has shown that people can travel safely when certain health and safety protocols remain in place and we believe the UK should implement revised border restrictions similar to those that have already been successful in many other countries.”

A recent York Aviation report stated that a second ‘lost summer’ of international travel would result in £55.7bn in lost trade and £3.0bn in tourism GDP if reopening is delayed until September. If international travel remains restricted, it will cost the US economy $325 billion in total losses and 1.1 million jobs by the end of 2021, according to analysis from the U.S. Travel Association.

“The millions of travel-supported US jobs lost to the pandemic cannot be replaced without the return of international visitors, and the UK is our No. 1 overseas travel market,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. “Advancing a science-driven approach to restart international travel is crucial, and a US-UK corridor is a logical place to start because of the two countries’ excellent records on vaccinations and declining infections, as well as their strong relationship.”

The group has encouraged the US government to consider lifting entry requirements for UK travellers who have provided a negative COVID test ahead of arriving in the US or are fully vaccinated or can present proof of recovery.

On the UK side, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was asked to consider removing the need for travellers returning to the UK from ‘green list’ countries to complete an expensive and time-consuming PCR test on their arrival, instead calling for lateral flow tests, used in care homes and schools, with only positive tests requiring a PCR test.

Patoma Admin by — June 8, 2021 in Aviation 0