May 06 Watch 8:37 Business travel likely to be depressed for years, says Southwest Airlines CEO With U.S. commercial flights largely empty amid the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines are taking a serious financial hit. But while their revenue has plunged due to the drop in demand, they are receiving billions in federal aid. Southwest… Continue watching
Apr 16 Watch 5:45 Evaporation of travel sector threatens airlines’ very survival By Paul Solman One of the business sectors hit hardest by the novel coronavirus pandemic has been air travel. Passenger volume is down a stunning 96 percent in the U.S., while airline losses have topped $300 billion worldwide. Despite canceled flights, travelers are… Continue watching
Apr 14 Treasury: Major airlines to take $25 billion in aid to meet payroll By David Koenig, Associated Press The deals aren't final, but the assistance is almost certain to be a mix of cash and loans, and the government could take a small ownership stake in the leading airlines. Continue reading
Mar 15 Americans return to long waits for screenings at US airports By Mallika Sen, Associated Press Weary travelers returning to the U.S. amid coronavirus-related travel restrictions were greeted by long lines and hourslong waits for required medical screenings at airports. Posts on social media indicated passengers at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport waited upward of four hours… Continue reading
Jan 29 Airlines suspend flights to China, countries evacuate citizens as novel coronavirus cases rise By Ken Moritsugu, Associated Press Chartered planes carrying about 200 evacuees each arrived in Japan and the United States early Wednesday as other countries planned similar evacuations from the city of Wuhan, which authorities have shut down to try to contain the virus. Continue reading
Mar 12 Trump tweets ‘airplanes are becoming too complex to fly’ By Kevin Freking, Associated Press President Donald Trump lamented the complexity of modern airplanes Tuesday in the wake of two deadly crashes in the past five months, appearing to speculate on the cause of the disasters before aviation experts from the United States and elsewhere… Continue reading
Jan 24 Watch 7:53 Air safety measures are ‘unraveling’ due to shutdown, says air traffic union Unions representing air traffic controllers, pilots and flight attendants are warning that the government shutdown compromises the safety of air travel. On Thursday, they gathered at Reagan National Airport with Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., to express their concerns. Judy Woodruff… Continue watching
Jan 18 Travel industry fears damage from a long government shutdown By David Koenig, Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press he travel and tourism industries generate about $1.6 trillion in U.S. economic activity — one-twelfth of the economy — and one in 20 jobs, according to the Commerce Department. Continue reading
Jan 11 Watch 4:57 How the shutdown is affecting the safety of air travel The government shutdown has affected air travel by forcing airport security and air traffic controllers to work without pay and eliminating some routine safety inspections. TSA workers earn relatively low pay, so they are more likely than other federal employees… Continue watching
Jun 28 Homeland demands more security on international flights to U.S. By Alicia A. Caldwell, Associated Press The Homeland Security Department is demanding that airlines around the world step up security measures for international flights bound for the United States or face the possibility of a total electronics ban for planes. Continue reading