Diverse Korona relaterte nyheter - Curt Lewis

FedEx pilots removed from duty after inconclusive COVID-19 test results MEMPHIS, Tenn. - FedEx flew some pilots back to the United States after they received inconclusive test results for the novel coronavirus. According to FedEx, the pilots were removed from service and are self-isolating while follow-up testing and evaluation is being performed. The company released a statement on Sunday afternoon: "Some FedEx pilots were flown back to the U.S. after receiving inconclusive test results for COVID-19. They have been removed from duty and are self-isolating while follow-up testing and evaluation is performed. All areas where these team members worked are being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. The safety and well-being of our employees remains our first concern. FedEx continues to take all necessary precautions and follow guidance from the FAA, CDC and other public health organizations related to reporting and containment of COVID-19. We continue our operation in China and remain committed to providing the best possible service to our customers."

PIA suspends flight operations from Karachi after forcible quarantining of pilots Islamabad, Apr 6 (PTI) The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has suspended its flight operations from Karachi after the Sindh provincial government forcibly quarantined its pilots over fears they might be infected with the coronavirus on their return from the UK, according to a media report. The national carrier on Saturday operated two special flights carrying nearly 600 British passengers to Manchester and London. The British nationals were stuck in Pakistan after the government banned international commercial flights from March 21 to April 4 to contain the spread of the deadly virus. However, reacting to the quarantining of its pilots, a PIA spokesperson said that the move was contrary to the directives issued by the Government of Pakistan for aviation staff and all the officials concerned were informed three hours prior the plane returned from London. However, despite instructions, the Sindh health department''s officials insisted on forcefully quarantining the pilots, the spokesperson was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune on Sunday. The aviation operations from Karachi would remain suspended until there was a consensus on the directives of the federal and provincial governments, the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik said the PIA crew was unfairly treated in Karachi and the reports of the presence of coronavirus in them were misleading, according to the report. The PIA aviation personnel are our national heroes who serve to repatriate trapped Pakistanis despite threats, he said. We have ensured all possible safety measures for the aviation staff, he added. The PIA spokesperson said that the crew is in isolation at a hotel and is awaiting test results. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Airlines Pilot's Association has also restrained its pilots from flying, citing inadequate security arrangements for the staff in the wake of coronavirus pandemic and quarantining of the crew. PTI RS AKJ RS

Coronavirus Impact on Aviation Insurance: Gallagher Airplanes with a total insured value of more than $160 billion are grounded around the world, presenting risks for insurers, a report said on Friday. Singapore has the largest number of planes standing idle at airports, at 205, with Hong Kong second at 178, the report by insurance broker Gallagher said. There are 158 planes on the ground in Madrid though only 40 in New York, with planes at the world's 20 biggest airports having a total insured value of $164 billion. Airlines have seen revenues slump as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has led to travel lockdowns around the world. More Plane Talking Further excerpts from Plane Talking, A.J. Gallagher's Aerospace Team publication, authored by Bruce Carman, chief underwriting officer, Hive Aero: Travel restrictions. "We are all currently witnessing, first-hand, something akin to a dystopian drama with travel bans widespread and aircraft grounded in numbers (far greater than in the aftermath of 9/11) as COVID-19 wreaks havoc on an unprecedented scale," Carman writes, citing statistics that travel restrictions cover 98% of global passenger revenues. Beyond financial impact. The financial impact on the air transport industry is estimated to be around $252 billion. "The true impact however may well be as much cultural as financial, as the public's appetite for travel will inevitably take time to recover," Carman writes. Airlines will need help. "The insurance market plays an essential role in the world of air travel and we must work collaboratively with other key players such as banks and lessors, to help the airlines as far as we reasonably can in their hour of need." Market outlook. Average rates for Q1 renewals across most segments increased and early indications are that this trend is unlikely to reverse. "Underwriters see this as a separate challenge to their long-term goal of achieving rate adequacy therefore they are unlikely to curtail the current level of rate increases they require on 2020 renewals," Carman concludes. "There will be airline failures, meaning unpaid premiums and bad debt," Bruce Carman, Chief Underwriting Officer at Hive Aero, said in the report. The airlines will likely seek some of their premiums back because passenger numbers are heavily reduced, he added. Groups of grounded aircraft also present risks for so-called "aviation war" underwriters, as they are a far larger target for terror attacks. The lead insurers in consortia of aviation underwriters are turning down some renewal business, with particular concerns including non-Western built aircraft and older aircraft, the report said. Where insurers are offering cover, they are seeking rate increases of at least 20-25%, Gallagher said. Aviation insurance rates have been falling for many years due to an improving safety record and steep competition.

QANTAS CREW EXEMPT FROM QUARANTINE TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 Four Qantas cabin crew who worked on a flight from Chile and were exempt from going into quarantine have subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. The revelation, reported in The Sydney Morning Herald, will put pressure on the government to change a rule that forces passengers, but not airline staff, to spend 14 days in a hotel after landing. Altogether, 50 Qantas Group staff have now tested positive for coronavirus, including the 11 Adelaide Airport baggage handlers previously disclosed. The company's medical officer Russell Brown said most transmissions were thought to originate from overseas, and staff are taking precautions. All affected are now undertaking their 14-day self-isolation. Brown said, "They are wearing masks when flying and being careful, and we're still seeing these cases. "When you're dealing with a community that has more spread, the risk goes up, and we have to start thinking about what's going on here." Meanwhile, Qantas medical director Ian Hosegood said that while he couldn't rule out the disease spreading to passengers, there are currently no reports of that happening. "In most of these cases, the employees have contracted the coronavirus while overseas, including staff who were on holidays," Dr Hosegood said. "We have put in place increased measures to protect our people while they are at work and our customers including enhanced cleaning at airports and on aircraft and providing necessary safety equipment." Australian Aviation reported on 1 April that 11 baggage handlers working at Adelaide Airport tested positive for coronavirus. Since then, a further worker in a "public-facing" role has, too. Adelaide Airport We have this evening been advised by our security provider SNP Security, that it has had a staff member test positive for COVID-19. The staff member conducts duties in a public facing role at #AdelaideAirport. We're working with the employer and @SAHealth. [ - pic @Matt_Bonser ] Then, South Australia's deputy chief public health officer, Michael Cusack, said the risk to the public was low but "there's absolutely no harm in giving your suitcase a wipe, particularly around the handle". Last week, Qantas cancelled seven Adelaide flights, include one, QF741, which was turned back to Sydney while in mid-air. Qantas told Australian Aviation in a statement, "Since the coronavirus outbreak, we have put enhanced safety measures in place to protect our employees and customers. We are conducting additional cleaning of airport facilities and aircraft on a daily basis. "In addition to the consistent public health messages from governments, our employees are being advised not to come to work if they were feeling unwell." Boeing reverses course, extends shutdown at its factories 'until further notice' More than 100 workers at Boeing's Everett have tested positive for COVID-19. Within a span of 48 hours, Boeing reversed course on a plan to reopen its factories, saying Sunday it will extend the production halt in the Puget Sound-area and Moses Lake "until further notice." The swift reversal comes as public health officials urge citizens and businesses nationwide to take measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Last week, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee extended the state's stay-at-home order for nonessential workers until May 4, and Sound Transit also halted light rail extension construction work until May 4, as well. The number of COVID-19 cases inside Boeing jumped quickly from one worker on March 9 to more than 100 last week, though it's not clear whether workers were infected at work or through transmission in the larger community. Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stan Deal announced the decision in a message to the jet maker's 61,000-employee workforce in Washington state and the company did the same in a news release. "The health and safety of our employees, their families and our communities is our shared priority," Deal said. "We will take this time to continue to listen to our incredible team and assess applicable government direction, the spread of the coronavirus in the community and the reliability of our suppliers to ensure we are ready for a safe and orderly return to operations." The move comes after a Business Journal report Friday, in which Boeing said it intended to reopen on the third shift on April 7 and the morning of April 8. The jet maker had told suppliers about the production resumption, and plans for a renewed shipping of parts, the Business Journal reported. Boeing said it decided to extend the production halt "in light of the company's continuing focus on the health and safety of employees, current assessment of the spread of COVID-19 in Washington state, the reliability of the supply chain and additional recommendations from government health authorities." The jet maker said during the stoppage it will continue "to implement additional health and safety measures at its facilities to protect employees." The company said such measures will include "new visual cues to encourage physical distancing, more frequent and thorough cleaning of work and common areas, and staggering shift times to reduce the flow of employees arriving and departing work." Workers in Boeing's Everett factory had previously said those cleaning and disinfection efforts fell short of what they felt would keep them safe. Some workers had invoked clauses in their union contract allowing them to stop work if they felt "in imminent danger." Boeing said workers who've volunteered to keep working during the factory closures and who are performing "essential site and services work" should continue to report for work on their assigned shifts. "Puget Sound area and Moses Lake employees who can work from home should continue to do so," Boeing said. News Release Issued: Apr 6, 2020 (3:41pm EDT) To view this release online and get more information about Boeing, visit: https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130657 Boeing to Temporarily Suspend 787 Operations in South Carolina NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., April 6, 2020—Boeing [NYSE: BA] will temporarily suspend all 787 operations at Boeing South Carolina (BSC) until further notice, starting at the end of second shift on Wednesday, April 8. This impacts the Airport Campus, Emergent Operations, Interiors Responsibility Center South Carolina and Propulsion South Carolina. “It is our commitment to focus on the health and safety of our teammates while assessing the spread of the virus across the state, its impact on the reliability of our global supply chain and that ripple effect on the 787 program,” said Brad Zaback, vice president and general manager of the 787 Program and BSC site leader. “We are working in alignment with state and local government officials and public health officials to take actions that best protect our people.” BSC teammates who can work remotely will continue to do so. Those who cannot work remotely will receive paid leave for 10 working days of the suspension, which is double the company policy. After 10 days, teammates will have the option to use a combination of available paid time off benefits or file for emergency state unemployment benefits. All benefits will continue as normal during the suspension of operations, regardless of how teammates choose to record their time. Pay practice details have been made available to all teammates. During this time of suspension on the 787 program, Boeing will continue to conduct enhanced cleaning activities at the site and monitor the global supply chain as the situation evolves. When the suspension is lifted, the 787 program will take an orderly approach to restarting production with a focus on safety, quality, integrity and meeting customer commitments. Contact         Boeing Communications media@boeing.com