WASHINGTON - Major U.S. airlines are drafting plans for a potential voluntary shutdown of virtually all passenger flights across the U.S., according to industry and federal officials, as government agencies also consider ordering such a move and the nation’s air-traffic control system continues to be ravaged by the coronavirus contagion, report Andy Pasztor and Alison Sider for the Wall Street Journal. Continue reading original article.
The Intelligent Aerospace take:
March 24, 2020 -The coronavirus pandemic has been difficult for nearly all industries, but perhaps none as immediately impactful as those who work in, or are tangentially related to, the travel industry. According to the TSA, there was an 80 percent drop in year-over-year passenger checks on Sunday. Flightaware.com reports that domestic carriers have had to cancel 40% of their flights on Monday due to a lack of passengers. In addition to passengers, domestic flights also carry mail and cargo, so the hesitation to ground aircraft is understandable. In emergencies, the Pentagon or White House can activate the Civil Reserve Air Fleet in the event carriers voluntarily - or under government order - halt flights.
Related: Airbus partially resumes production as Boeing enacts temporary shutdowns
Jamie Whitney, Associate Editor
Intelligent Aerospace
