TheCable

Every industry is affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and while efforts are being made to see the end of the crisis, restrictions have been placed on the movement of people from one place to the other.

Since the pandemic began, the travel industry has taken a hit with fears that some airlines could declare bankruptcy by the time the last coronavirus patient recovers.

Countries like the United States of America, Canada and even Nigeria have announced interventions for the aviation industry in different ways to cushion the impact of the pandemic on business.

Alexandre de Juniac, director-general of the International Air Transport Association, said: “Many routes have been suspended in Africa and the Middle East and airlines have seen demand fall by as much as 60% on remaining ones. Millions of jobs are at stake. Airlines need urgent government action if they are to emerge from this in a fit state to help the world recover once COVID-19 is beaten,” he said.

Have you got plans to travel soon? Here are some of the restrictions that have been put in place by airlines and countries.

Arik Air: The airline has suspended flights to all its destinations in Ghana, Liberia and Senegal effective from Monday, March 23.

Air Peace says it will suspend flights on its Lagos/Sharjah/Dubai route as well as the Lagos/Dakar and Lagos/Monrovia routes. The frequency of flights to Accra, Banjul and Freetown will also be reduced.

Nigeria: The federal government has shut all international airports the country.

The Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja will be closed till April 23.

According to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the airports in Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu would be closed till further notice.

This would, no doubt, affect the 33 foreign airlines that operate flights to Nigeria.

The federal government had initially restricted travellers from 15 countries will not be allowed entry. The countries are China (Including Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau special administrative regions), France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Turkish Airline: Reduced demand made the airline reschedule about 14 flights to Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja. The number of affected flights might increase after the federal government shut down the Port Harcourt International Airport.

South African Airways: The airline has suspended all international and regional flights from March 20 to May 31.

Rwandair: Flights departing from and arriving Rwanda have been temporarily suspended flights. The suspension is to be in place for 30 days from Friday, March 20.

Qantas Airways: Based in Australia, the airline has temporarily laid off close to 30,000 staff and ceased international operations.

Delta Airline: Effective midnight Saturday, March 21, Delta will suspend flights in and out of Nigeria pending the lifting of travel restrictions. The airline has also grounded half of its fleet.

Air France: Due to travel restrictions and a sharp decline in demand, the airline said it has reduced flight capacity by up to 90%. This capacity reduction is currently planned to last 2 months.

Emirates Airline/UAE: UAE temporarily bans entry for passengers of all nationalities into UAE starting from March 19 until further notice. The ban includes the entry of UAE residence visa holders, visit/tourist visa holders and visa on arrivals for all nationalities.

Flights to Lagos, Abuja, Accra, Abidjan, Frankfurt, New York have been suspended by the airline.

Qatar Airways: According to Reuters, the airline has laid off 200 staff and slashed flying capacity by 75%.

British Airways: The airline will begin flight cancellations from March 29 and flights from Lagos and Abuja will be affected.

Sky News reports that 4,500 employees have been directed to embark on unpaid leave that would result in a 50% pay cut.

Lufthansa: Carsten Spohr, the airline’s CEO, said 700 out of 763 aircraft would be parked and all long-haul flights except from Frankfurt would be suspended.

Ethiopian Airlines: Flight suspension or cancellation is subject to the restrictions enforced at the destination.

United States: Travel restrictions have only being placed on foreign nationals who have visited the following countries within the last 14 days.

The countries are China, Iran, (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, United Kingdom and Ireland.

Canada: All non-Canadian citizens and non-permanent residents of Canada (foreign nationals) are not allowed to enter Canada.

Australia: Australia has closed its borders to all foreigners who are not permanent residents.