Airlines Allowed to Boost Passenger Capacity

EghtesadOnline: Domestic airlines, which were allowed to sell tickets for up to 60% of their total seating capacity when they resumed operations a few months ago, can now increase their booking to capacity, provided they strictly comply with guidelines of the National Coronavirus Headquarters on new measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

News ID: ۷۵۰۸۴۸

01 September 2020

Ensuring that the aircraft’s APU (auxiliary power unit that provides energy for functions other than propulsion) for air conditioning is working constantly, keeping the two rows at the back of the plane vacant for passengers who might need to be quarantined, conducting regular sampling of aircraft cabin air by representatives of Health Ministry, and ensuring the full compliance of passengers with health protocols (wearing masks, disinfecting and social distancing at terminals and airport shuttles) from  check-in at the airport to destination are among new measures introduced by the infection prevention committee of transportation fleet of the headquarters, IRNA reported.

As part of the economic relief package worth 80 trillion rials ($340 million) for the transportation sector approved by the government, airlines will receive a total of 20 trillion rials ($85 million) in loans to help them weather the hardship caused by the new coronavirus.

According to Maqsoud Asadi-Samani, secretary of the Association of Iranian Airlines, airlines have been introduced to designated banks and are undergoing the loan approval process.

“Since the beginning of June, airline companies could register at Kara.mcls.gov.ir for coronavirus loans that will be offered at the lending rate of 12%,” he was quoted as saying by News.mrud.ir late July.

“Air travel and tourism have been the hardest-hit industries in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Latest data released by Iran Airports Company show international air traffic in Iran is beginning to experience growth after the spread of the new coronavirus caused a significant slump in both passenger and cargo sectors.

The IAC data show the number of international takeoffs and landings, as well as the handling of passengers and cargo, during the fourth month of the current Iranian year (June 21–July 21) registered a 100%, 89% and 100% increase respectively compared with the preceding month.

In case of domestic flights, the takeoffs and landings increased by 2% while the handling of passengers and cargos fell by 2% and 11% respectively compared to the previous month.

The total number of takeoffs and landings during the month under review saw a 3% rise compared with the preceding month.

However, the total number of passengers and the volume of cargos handled during the period witnessed a 2% and 6% decline respectively month-on-month

In the fourth Iranian month, a total of 21,767 takeoffs and landings were registered, which indicate a 28% decline compared with the similar period of last year.

More than 1.94 million passengers and 14,328 tons of cargos were transported during the month, indicating a 45% and 51% YOY drops respectively.

The report shows 21,552 takeoffs and landings were registered by domestic flights from June 21 to July 21, down 23% YOY. Over 1.93 million passengers and 12,960 tons of cargo were transported domestically, indicating a 39% and 44% decrease respectively YOY.

On the international front, 215 takeoffs and landings were registered, showing a 91% decrease YOY. A total of 8,605 passengers and more than 1,367 tons of cargo were transported to and from overseas destinations, indicating a 97% and %78 fall respectively YOY.

Iran Airports Company is an arm of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, which manages 54 airports across the country.