Britain agrees "air bridges" for 59 nations but excludes US, China
>> Britain will exempt travelers from 59 countries and territories including Germany, France, Spain and Italy from its coronavirus quarantine rule for international arrivals, but Sweden, Portugal, the United States, Canada and China were notable omissions from the list.
American Airlines hopes to start Seattle-Shanghai route
>> American Airlines' plan to begin the Seattle-Shanghai Pudong route is subject to government approval. Shanghai is the largest Chinese market from the Washington state airport, accounting for a 43% share of the Seattle-China seat capacity. Delta had a 51% share of the Seattle-China seats last year.
Chinese domestic airlines roll out discount packages to boost cash flow
>> Domestic airlines in China rolled out ticket discount packages under the banner of “fly at will” one after another recently, in the hope of recouping money and boosting consumption affected by COVID-19 outbreak. Following China Eastern's first experiment on weekend unlimited passes, China Express and Hainan Airlines launched similar programs. The country saw 935,200 passengers and 10,570 flights daily in early June, recovering to 57.4% and 66.11% over the same period of last year.
Skyscanner launches Fare Families functionality
>> Skyscanner has launched a new service allowing airlines to showcase their fare options and extra ancillaries at the beginning of the user journey. The Fare Families functionality - new, mobile optimized technology within the direct booking platform - has been designed to maximize fare revenue. A recent Skyscanner survey shows that accessible pricing (51%) and clear airline policies (49%) were named as the top types of information that travelers would look for once restrictions were lifted.
Cathay Pacific considers drier storage options for unused planes
>> Cathay Pacific was evaluating whether to send some of its aircraft to less humid locations for storage as it reviews the size of its fleet in light of the fall in demand due to the pandemic. Rivals Singapore Airlines, Qantas Airways and Air New Zealand have already sent some long-haul planes to desert locations in Australia and the United States for long-term storage and possible early retirement in expectation the demand slump will be prolonged.
China's young tourists report changing travel preferences
>> The Generation Z in China show growing interest in domestic travel and shrinking willingness to travel abroad, according to a report by Chinese travel service and social-networking platform Mafengwo, which surveyed over 2,500 young respondents. While their travel budget has not been much squeezed by the epidemic, over 60% said they planned to spend more on safe and sanitary dining and accommodation due to health concerns, the report said.
Club Med Southern Africa confirms €260 million to secure liquidity
>> Club Med Southern Africa has confirmed the signing of long-term financing by its global company Club Med, for a total amount of EUR 260 million to secure liquidity and future development. The financing comprises of an EUR 180 million loan agreement, guaranteed by the French State with the support of a pool of French banks, and an EUR 80 million shareholder loan agreement from Fosun Tourism Group.
