This archive report was first published on 23 June 2021.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, regional airlines like Bluebird Aviation are feeling the pinch. According to Captain Hussein Mohammed, General Manager of Bluebird Aviation, the pandemic has drastically impacted air charter business travel.
With the rise of remote work and online transactions, the need for air charter services has significantly decreased. Captain Mohammed explained, 'This Business segment has been drastically affected by virtue of the fact that you can transact business in a zoom meeting and electronically you can now transact business.' He added that air charter business, which was once 70% of their operations, is now down by 20-30%.
Medical charters have also been severely impacted, as most patients being transferred are COVID-19 positive. Captain Mohammed noted, 'No airline wants to expose their staff, both cockpit and cabin crew to COVID. Most airlines want to first know the medical status of the passenger before they start evacuation.'
However, commercial airlines business travel has seen a slight increase, thanks to the availability of social distancing and more room in business class. Captain Mohammed said, 'Those who can afford it and want to fly, there is sufficient social distancing and more room in the business class.'
