Air Travel Affected Significantly by Coronavirus
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
TEHRAN – Secretary of Iran’s Aviation Companies Association Maghsoud Asadi Samani says Iran’s airliners have suffered huge losses as the Coronavirus has affected significantly the air travel industry and even lifting some restrictions for travels has had no major impact for the bounce-back of the industry.
Speaking to ILNA, Asadi Samani said currently only 20 percent of the national air fleet is active, namely, only 20 percent of total 40 planes in the national air fleet are active but their flights are not fully booked and most of the flights are carried out with half of its passenger capacities.
He added despite the government’s decision to reopen some businesses and to lift restrictions for commuting, the demand for air travel has not seen any major rise.
He admitted that most of flights are done with almost having 60 percent passengers. He said restrictions of flights to Kish and Qeshm islands are still valid and nothing has changed.
On international flights, he said Iranian airlines still continue their flights to Paris and London and other international flights are done upon the requests of Iranian passengers.
Asadi Samani added that Iranian nationals abroad can apply for flight by going to Iran’s embassies and the embassies in coordination with Iranian airlines would arrange some special flights for Iranians to come back home.
On dismissal of staff by the airlines because of current condition, he said fortunately Iranian airliners have avoided dismissing their staff because they are well aware that human resources are the best assets for the companies. He reiterated but all depends on the government’s aid to the airliners and the airliners are waiting for the government’s supportive packages.
He noted that the airliners have not yet received any supportive package from the government and the government should act very soon.
