This archive report was first published on 15 May 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, several airlines are taking steps to resume their operations. On May 21st, 2020, Emirates, a state-owned airline based in Dubai, will resume flights to eight countries, including the UK, Australia, and several European destinations.
Emirates' passenger fleet has been grounded since March 24th, 2020, but the airline is now preparing to take to the skies once again. Air France-KLM, another major airline, will resume commercial flights to Africa from next month, with destinations including Senegal, Togo, Niger, Congo, and Djibouti.
Ryanair, an Irish budget airline, is set to offer 40% of its flights from July 1st, 2020, with a reduced frequency. The airline expects to be running 60% to 70% of its regular flight schedule by September, depending on customer demand.
However, the airlines have taken stern health measures to ensure all passengers and crew remain safe. These include the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for cabin crew and ground staff, thermal scanners to monitor temperatures, and physical distancing indicators at waiting bays.
Emirates has also taken steps to enhance cleaning and disinfection processes on its aircraft, with all seats pre-allocated to ensure physical distancing protocols are observed. Magazines and other print reading material have been temporarily removed to reduce the risk of spreading the virus by touch.
It's worth noting that Emirates and Air France received government bailouts in April to remain afloat during the pandemic. Emirates received a 28% decline in full-year profit in March due to the impact of the coronavirus.
