Since the beginning of March, fears of the spread of the coronavirus had led to the suspension of all airline flights. Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways and SaudiaThe latter is only suspending its operations until the end of March - for the time being. The decision byEmirates to suspend more than 80% of all its routes around the world comes as no surprise, as the Gulf carrier relies more than any other on its connecting routes on the immense Dubai airportOne of the world's leading airlines in terms of passenger numbers, with 86.5 million passengers, but also in terms of the percentage of transit passengers, at around 63% of the total. The quarantine and border closures in an ever-increasing number of countries are effectively bringing the airline's business to a fatal halt.
As Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Group, points out Emirates, " The world has entered quarantine because of COVID-19. This is a crisis situation without precedent in terms of scope and scale: geographically, but also in health, social and economic terms. As an international airline, we find ourselves in a situation where we can no longer provide viable services to passengers until countries have reopened their borders and traveller confidence has been restored. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely so that we can restore our services as soon as possible. ". However, this announcement was only valid for a few hours. During the night, the government of the United Arab Emirates decreed the closure of all airports in the region - Abu Dhabi, Dubai International and Dubai Al Maktoum, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah. The closure is effective this Wednesday for a period of 15 days. The government understands how important it is for the country's airports to retain their role as global hub. The decisions taken by Emirates and Etihad to operate a reduced timetable should therefore come into effect at the end of the quarantine in mid-April.
Emirates has therefore decided to retain a handful of frequencies to the following countries and territories, unless further adjustments are made: the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, South Africa, the United States and Canada. On the FranceThe situation could not be simpler: all flights to Paris CDG, Lyon and Nice have been completely cancelled until 30 June, i.e. five daily frequencies in France. The same applies to the two daily flights on Brussels and the daily flight to Geneva. The only remaining routes in Europe are Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London Heathrow and Zurich.
Etihad has already cancelled flights to 26 destinations on its network between now and 30 April. According to its schedule dated 22 March, the airline will continue to operate flights to Paris CDGonce Abu Dhabi airport reopens after the 15 April. However, the carrier has suspended its services to Brussels and Geneva.
As for Qatar Airwaysthe company was finally forced to drastically reduce its offer of 75% from its usual schedule, according to Akbar Al Baker, Chairman of the airline. On the other hand, there is no question at this stage of stopping all flights to and from the UK. Qatar. While the country has closed its borders to all foreign travellersHowever, it authorises passengers in transfer at Hamad International Airport. How long can this situation be sustained? It is possible that Qatar Airways could actually capitalise on the possibility of passengers from Emirates and Etihad being transferred to its network...
The reduction in Qatar Airways frequencies means that the ten or so Airbus A380s in the carrier's fleet will be grounded until the beginning of June, while the number of frequencies is being further reduced on some 90 routes, on top of an initial wave of cuts on some thirty routes. On Paris CDGQatar Airways will continue to offer at least daily frequency until the end of April, then two daily flights in May. Qatar will continue to offer four weekly flights to Brussels until the end of May, but will suspend its service to Geneva. As foropening of the new link between Lyon and Dohathe Rhône-Alpes airport's communications department has confirmed that the new service will be launched on 25 June next year, with five weekly flights by Boeing 787.
