November 25, 2020
We understand there have been many impacts this year on the air, ocean, and ground freight markets. At Crane Worldwide Logistics, we strive to provide our clients with the best service and communicate the most current information impacting the market. Find below updates for November 2020. To see our previous updates, please visit our Coronavirus COVID-19 Resource Center.
We have warehouse space available, ground transportation options globally, book air charters, and fill space on ocean carriers.
Week 48 (November 22 - 28)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection assesses an annual user fee for each customs broker district and national permit held by an individual, partnership, association, or corporation. CBP has announced 2021’s user fee is $150.33 and is due to CBP no later than January 29, 2021.
On October 28, 2020, we announced that the AMS surcharge will increase from $35 per BL to $50 Per BL with an effective date of December 1, 2020. The application of this change is based on a calendar date as it pertains to the increase. Crane Worldwide Logistics’ tariff rules have been updated accordingly and are available on our website.
This action is a result of changes in the market. We are consistently monitoring tariff activity to ensure we not only cover our costs but remain competitive in the marketplace.
IATA released an information page listing airlines' status globally, which is free for all to access. Visit the page here.
What charters do Crane Worldwide Logistics have available?
PVG - Shanghai’s Pudong Airport reportedly descended into chaos on Sunday evening after two cargo handlers tested positive, and went into lockdown as nearly 18,000 other staff were tested. Hundreds of flights were canceled, according to Reuters, and videos were posted on social media of apparently frightened passengers attempting to flee the airport. Now new COVID regulations are expected to lead to cargo delays. According to local media, Chinese health officials claimed the cargo workers, employees of FedEx and UPS, were “cleaning a cargo container from North America”. It was not carrying cold chain cargo, however, as in August, when authorities said traces of the virus were found on imported frozen food “All cargo terminals have been shut down and all-cargo operations were obliged to stop over the weekend. Import handling is progressing, but with expected delays. “Customs inspections have also closed until further notice. “Airlines, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Cabo Verde, Lufthansa, Nippon Airways, Polar Air Cargo and Air China, had flights impacted by the lockdown, Geodis added, noting that local authorities had requested all ULDs to be disinfected upon arrival.
Air France-KLM - This week they started a new weekly Tunis (TUN) wide-body service, departing CDG on Wednesdays. Further, they are commencing a twice-weekly (normally Fridays and Sundays) Moscow (SVO) wide-body service ex-CDG on 04DEC. This will provide new options in their network.
Air New Zealand - The Government has shortlisted Air New Zealand under Phase Two of the International Airfreight Capacity (IAFC) scheme between December 1 and March 31, 2021. Contractual negotiations are yet to be concluded but the proposed schedule is similar to our schedule over recent months. If successful we will continue operating services between New Zealand and North America (Los Angeles and San Francisco), Asia (Hong Kong, Shanghai, Narita, Incheon), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane), and Pacific Islands (Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Rarotonga, Niue). Also proposed are the additions of new Guangzhou services, seasonal Perth services, as well as some enhancements to the ongoing schedule by way of triangulated routing to improve the connectivity for South Island Exporters. Those proposed flights will depart from Auckland to Christchurch on the first leg, before heading out internationally to each of Los Angeles, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong, before returning back to Auckland. These services will allow us to move international shipments from both Auckland and Christchurch out of New Zealand to key export markets on a single wide-body aircraft. Conversely, this will provide seamless connectivity for import cargo to Christchurch via Auckland.
Ethiopian Cargo - Has launched a transpacific freighter service between South Korea and the US. The new B777F service operates from Incheon to Atlanta via Anchorage, with its first flight taking place on November 9. Ethiopian Group chief executive Tewolde GebreMariam said: “We are delighted to have launched our newest freighter service to our cargo forwarder customers worldwide, extending from Incheon to Atlanta via Anchorage in the current global pandemic crisis where speed in the supply chain management is highly required to deliver urgently required goods.”
Volga-Dnepr Group - Has grounded all of its AN-124s following a recent incident of engine failure that required an emergency landing at Tolmachevo Airport in Novosibirsk, Russia. Chief Commercial Officer, Konstantin Vekshin stated, “we want to be proactive and preemptive and demonstrate that we are a responsible airline where safety comes first.” A letter was filed today with the Russian aviation authorities to notify them of their decision to ground eight operational aircraft immediately. They are launching an investigation into the recent events. Volga-Dnepr is rearranging flights to accommodate their customers since all of their freighters were fully booked. Some cargo will be loaded onto 747s and their rival airline, Antonov Airlines, may have to support other shipments. It is unknown when their fleet of AN-124s will be operational again.
Global Border Crossing Status and restrictions
Land Borders
Week 47 (November 15 - 21)
Air China - China National Aviation Holding, the parent company of the country’s flag-carrier Air China, agreed to sell a total of 31% of its air cargo unit Air China Cargo stake to four investors. The deal valued Air China Cargo at up to 15.7 billion yuan ($2.37 billion). According to the announcement issued by Shenzhen International Holdings on November 10, 2020, three investors including Alibaba’s logistics arm Cainiao, Shenzhen International, National Reform Double Hundred Development Fund and Air China Cargo's employee shareholding platform invested a total of 4.9 billion yuan ($740 million), which is equal to 31% of the whole company’s shares, to increase the capital of Air China Cargo. Shenzhen International reported that after the capital increase project would be finalized, the Chinese company would hold a 10% of Air China Cargo stake and would nominate the director. Meanwhile, the other three investors including Alibaba's logistic arm Cainiao would hold 21% of the stake. By the transaction, Air China Cargo was valued at more than 15.7 billion yuan ($2.37 billion), 1.72 times higher than a book value, counted Caixin, the Chinese financial media group. According to a public bidding document from the Beijing Equity Exchange released in August 2020, Air China Cargo started its ownership reform back in 2018 after its controlling shareholder China National Aviation, which currently owns 65% of the company's shares, initiated the mixed-ownership reform. In August 2020, Air China Cargo decided to sell one-third of this stake with an aim to strengthen and optimize its capital and become the e-commerce and logistics integrated service provider with purchasing, transportation, and sales capabilities. While having a total of 15 freighters on its fleet including three Boeing 747-400F aircraft, four Boeing 757-200PCF freighters, and eight Boeing 777F cargo planes, Air China Cargo also operates all its parent company’s Air China passenger jets belly compartment business.
Emirates - Battles the current crisis, it posted its first half-year loss in 30 years. The Dubai government was more than eager to provide the airline with financial support to help weather the storm. Emirates announced its H1 FY2021 results on November 12, 2020, in which it indicated that the Dubai government injected $2 billion into the airline by a way of equity investment. “We have been able to tap on our own strong cash reserves, and through our shareholder and the broader financial community, we continue to ensure we have access to sufficient funding to sustain the business and see us through this challenging period,” commented chairman and chief executive of the airline Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Overall, the company’s cash reserves dwindled from AED25.6 billion ($7 billion) at the end of March 31, 2020, to AED 20.7 billion ($5.6 billion) as of September 30, 2020. Emirates lost 75% of its airline revenue and throughout the first six months of the year, the carrier netted AED11.7 billion ($3.2 billion) from passenger and cargo operations, which resulted in an AED12.6 billion ($3.4 billion) loss. “As passenger traffic disappeared, Emirates and dnata have been able to rapidly pivot to serve cargo demand and other pockets of opportunity. This has helped us recover our revenues from zero to 26% of our position at the same time last year,” commented Al Maktoum.
Virgin Atlantic Cargo - Has added a new pharma service ahead of the launch of a new Covid-19 vaccine. The airline said its new Pharma Secure service will cater for urgent, valuable and vulnerable pharmaceutical and life sciences shipments. The product will include a 24/7 support team, automatic live status updates, proactive service recovery and periodical integrity checks, temperature-controlled facilities and a dedicated booking team. It also includes security escorts (on request), dedicated email for bookings, quotes and support, priority access to capacity and unloading at Heathrow, money back guarantee, GDP trained staff and access to temp-controlled facilities. Dominic Kennedy, managing director, Virgin Atlantic Cargo, said: “This new service takes our already well-established pharmaceutical offering to the next level. We want to offer our customers peace of mind so they can book confidently with us, knowing their precious cargo will arrive safely, securely and on time. “We look forward to playing a part in supporting the Covid-19 recovery by transporting crucial vaccines and pharmaceutical products to the UK and around the world on our global network, ensuring swift access to vaccines for the public as they become available.”
Week 46 (November 08 - 14)
Fines for Misdeclared Container Cargo
IPI Service Delay
U.S. Marine Terminal Gate Operation Schedule on Veterans Day, November 11, 2020
The following Marine Terminal Gates are closed in observance of Veterans Day in the United States.
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings - Will reactivate another B747 freighter after improvements in its third quarter figures thanks in part to expanded its e-commerce operations with Amazon and Alibaba. the lessor reported that third-quarter revenues increased by 24.9% year on year to $809.9m and net income increased 23.5% year on year to $74m. Meanwhile, adjusted ebitda improved by 105.3% to $196.3m.Volumes in the third quarter of 2020 increased to 90,528 block hours compared with 79,310 in the third quarter of 2019.Chief executive John Dietrich explained: “We continue to broaden our customer base and grow with existing customers to maximize market opportunities. We further increased our roster of long-term charter customers, including the addition of Cainiao, the logistics arm of Alibaba, as well as expanding with HP Inc. and several large global freight forwarders.
Hong Kong Airlines - The aviation industry is having another issue to solve, after Cathay Pacific, the largest airline in Hong Kong, ceased operation of Cathay Dragon. Most of the routes operated by Cathay Dragon are planned to be handled by Hong Kong Express, the Cathay Pacific's wholly-owned subsidiary. But in fact, it is not easy for Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Express to take over most of the routes. According to the Hong Kong Transport and Housing Bureau, Cathay Dragon has to return the air traffic right back to the government and can't transfer the right to other companies on its own. It also means that routes previously operated by Cathay Dragon are available for bidding by other carriers, and Hong Kong Airlines is seen as a possible beneficiary. However, the routes probably won't be utilized under the pandemic, no matter who the operator is. There is no timeline on this matter, so it might also take 1-2 years to prepare for the bidding process and settle down. A senior executive of Hong Kong airlines said to South China Morning Post that they are cautious about expansion after Cathy Dragon's shutdown and will currently focus on COVID-19 survival. The financially troubled Hong Kong Airlines currently operates about 5 to 10 percent of its flights with fewer than 10 aircraft. It is also a member of the Chinese aviation conglomerate - HNA Group. At its peak, it employed more than 3,900 people and operated 38 aircraft. The airline is one of the first to lay off about 400 of its 3,500 staff during the outbreak back in February. Since then, Hong Kong Airlines has cut the pay of more than 1,200 flight attendants by 30 percent in four months. Pilots' salaries and allowances were reduced by 60 percent in six months. In Cathy Dragon's case, about 2,500 crew members were made redundant, but Hong Kong Airlines said it is unable to take over any of them at the moment. Like many other airlines, Hong Kong Airlines also launched its version of "flight to nowhere" last Saturday. The tickets for "Embrace Home Kong" were sold out quickly. More than 100 passengers were on board to enjoy the very first Hongkong - Hongkong flight.
IAG - Owned Iberia has introduced its first A330 preighter aircraft as it prepares for the air cargo peak season. The company said that the A330’s economy and premium economy seats, as well as crew rest area, were removed along with separation panels by its own MRO business. Carpeting was reinstalled with lights indicating the 33 cargo positions. Cargo will be held in place with netting fastened to floor rails where the seats were anchored. This configuration yields additional carrying capacity of up to 105 m cu or 18 tons of cargo. The aircraft will operate a four-times-per week service between Los Angeles and Madrid. “In the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic, Iberia’s flight operations were almost exclusively confined to repatriation flights and flights carrying emergency medical supplies,” the airline said. Iberia’s sales chief María Jesús López Solás said: “We’re expecting an increase in air freight demand in coming months and this in an opportunity we should try to seize. Under today’s circumstances we must adapt better than ever to market demands, and this operation will help diversify our income streams while keeping our staff active.” IAG Cargo will service these flights. IAG Cargo has been operating cargo-only flights over recent months and also added a charter team. IAG Cargo offers its services on more than 500 aircraft, to more than 350 destinations.
Norwegian Air - The Norwegian government will not provide additional financial support to its largest airline. Hard-hit by the coronavirus crisis, Norwegian Air is now facing an uncertain future. The airline grounded most of its fleet in March 2020. In August 2020, it announced it would run out of cash in the first quarter of 2021 unless it secures fresh funds and support from the government. Already in great financial difficulties at the beginning of 2020, Norwegian was also hit hard by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. As it was on the verge of bankruptcy, the company secured $300 million in state aid guarantee in May 2020, along with the conversion of part of its existing debt and its financial commitments into new shares. In total, the Norwegian government has already supported the airlines with NOK 13 billion (about €1.2 billion) subsidies. Norwegian has asked for a new billion-dollar rescue package from the state and was given a negative response. “Norwegian Air has asked for billions of crowns in additional support, and the government has concluded that this would not be a responsible use of public funds”, said Industry Minister Iselin Nyboe. “The fact that our government has decided to refrain from providing Norwegian with further financial support is very disappointing and feels like a slap in the face for everybody at Norwegian who is fighting for the company when our competitors are receiving billions in funding from their respective governments”, said Norwegian’s CEO Jacob Schram in a press release. Evaluating the effects of the current situation, the company suggested that more funding could come from the sale of aircraft or debt-to-equity conversion. This setback comes months after the Swedish National Debt Office also rejected Norwegian’s request for a state credit guarantee. Sweden judged that the air carrier was already in a precarious situation before the pandemic, and thus was not eligible to receive financial support from the state.
Week 45 (November 01 - 07)
American Airlines Group - The holding company of American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) (AA) announced a $2.4 billion loss in Q3 2020, compared to a $425 million profit it made in 2019. Although the airline kept doing “a remarkable job taking care of the customers,” according to the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of American Airlines Doug Parker, the times remain challenging. Parker highlighted the negative financial impact of the crisis, which resulted in the airline posting a two billion loss in the quarter. According to the financial report of Q3 2020, AA’s revenue dropped by 73% to $3.17 billion compared to $11.9 billion in the same period of 2019. The CEO of American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) commented that to preserve cash, the carrier had started an aggressive cost reduction program that resulted in removing up to $17 billion from the airline’s operating and capital expenses budgets for 2020.“We have a long road ahead, and our team remains fully engaged and focused not just on managing through the pandemic but on making sure we are prepared for when demand returns. We are confident that the continued efforts of our team and the actions we have taken will drive customer confidence and strengthen our company for the future,” stated Parker on October 22, 2020. American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) sent more than 150 of its aircraft into early retirement. After removing its Boeing 757s, Boeing 767s, Embraer E190s, Airbus A330-300s, and Bombardier CRJ-200s from the fleet, the airline also decided to retire all of its 15 Airbus A330-200 planes.
ANA - All Nippon Airways (ANA) decided on 21th to cut 25 to 30 large aircraft mainly for long-haul international routes. Including leasing, ANA currently has 59 large planes, which will be reduced by half. Compared with small and medium-sized aircraft, large aircraft have less fuel efficiency and higher maintenance costs, making them the main target under streamlining measures. All Nippon Airways also had to withdraw its plans to expand its routes because of the pandemic. For airlines, aircraft are the main generators of revenue. A reduction in aircraft ownership carries the risk of not coping with passengers' increase when demand for air travel resumes. However, ANA believes it is necessary to completely revise its business plan on the premise that the market will not recover for some time. ANA Holdings (ALNPY), ANA's parent company, will include more relevant details in the business plan report to be released on the 27th. The report is expected to include announcing a loss of about 530 billion yen (USD 5.07 billion) in consolidated net income for fiscal 2020 (April 2020-March 2021). This year's deficit is estimated to be a record high in the group's history. With tens of billions of yen worth of large aircraft, the downward book value became one reason for the enormous losses. The large aircraft to be cut include the Boeing 777, which has up to about 500 seats. Besides finding buyers, such as leasing companies, spare parts' separate sale after dismantling is also being considered, and the storage at off-airport locations. Among small and medium-sized aircraft, less efficient and older aircraft as well are the target for disposal. Though large airplanes can carry more passengers at once, they also cost more in fuel and have higher maintenance costs, so they cannot be profitable if they have low load factors. Under the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines such as ANA have continued to reduce their international flights. Many of their planes are left parking at airports with remained downtime fees, which puts a heavy strain on the airlines' finances.
IAG - International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG), a holding company of British Airways (BA), reported preliminary financial results for the third quarter of 2020. Due to the COVID-19 related travel restrictions, the company counted that it would suffer a €1.3 billion loss in the third quarter of 2020. IAG announced it was forced to complete further cuts of British Airways capacity. On October 22, 2020, the company published preliminary financial results for the third quarter of the ongoing year. The report showed that the BA owner raised €2.74 billion from shareholders, which boosted the group’s liquidity to a total of €9.3 billion. However, IAG suffered a revenue drop by 83% to €1.2 billion in September 2020, compared to €7.3 billion for the same period in 2019. The decline in revenue led the group to undergo a €1.3 billion operating loss, compared to a profit of €1.4 billion profit in the third quarter of 2019. The owner of British Airways reported that it would complete capacity cuts by reducing flight schedule up to 30% compared to the same period in 2019.IAG explained that further cuts would come from the recent drop in the overall bookings, which “have not developed as previously expected due to additional measures implemented by many European governments in response to the second wave of Covid-19 infections“, announced the group in a report. The company added that an increase in local lockdowns and an extension of quarantine requirements for airline passengers were also notable reasons to cut the BA capacity more. “In response to the high uncertainty of the current environment, IAG now plans for capacity in 4Q 2020 to be no more than 30% compared to 2019. As a result, the Group no longer expects to reach breakeven in terms of Net cash flows from operating activities during 4Q 2020,” in a press release stated IAG.IAG outlined that currently released results were only preliminary data. The group would publish detailed results of the third quarter on October 30, 2020.
Kalitta Air - Will become the first airline to operate Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters after signing an agreement with lessor GECAS Cargo. The US cargo airline has signed a deal for three of the B777s, the world’s largest twin-engine freighter, with the aircraft delivered in 2023. The conversion program is jointly funded by GECAS and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), with GECAS delivering the prototype aircraft to undergo conversion in June of this year. Kalitta Air currently operates a fleet of more than three dozen cargo planes, including B747-400F, B767-300SF, and B777F. “Providing air express delivery all around the world for virtually any type of freight, the addition of these three 777-300ERSF freighters will help us meet the needs of our customers,” said Conrad Kalitta, owner of Kalitta Air. “We are delighted to continue our 15-year relationship with Kalitta Air and [we are] proud they’ve become the launch customer with the 777-300ERSF freighter for its future air cargo operations,” said Rich Greener, senior vice president and manager cargo of GECAS, adding: “The 777-300ERSF shares an extensive commonality with the production 777-200LRF. That’s a benefit to any operator looking to bring a new type into their fleet.”
Lufthansa Cargo - A wholly-owned subsidiary of Lufthansa Group, released a winter season schedule for its cargo operations. The carrier announced its plans to operate 35 regular Europe-Asia cargo flights per week from October 25, 2020. On October 21, 2020, Lufthansa Cargo announced that in the coming half-year during the winter season, it would continue to serve a bunch of destinations worldwide from its home hub in Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA). The airline bet on connections among Europe and Asia by scheduling an average of 35 freighter flights per week. The cargo operator stated that in the region of Asia, it would mainly focus on the Chinese metropolis of Shanghai (PVG), the South Korean capital Seoul (ICN), Japan's capital Tokyo (NRT), and the Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). The winter schedule is also focused on several more routes to China's capital Beijing (PEK) and the West Chinese metropolis Chengdu (CTU), as well as some destinations in India, which would include Mumbai (BOM), Hyderabad (HYD), Chennai (MAA), and Bangalore International Airport (BLR), announced Lufthansa Cargo in the press release. According to the statement, the German carrier would also serve such Asian destinations as the Japanese conurbation of Osaka (KIX), the Thai capital Bangkok (BKK), the Vietnamese metropolis Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) as well as the Uzbek capital Tashkent International Airport (TAS). Under the newly formed winter schedule, Lufthansa Cargo would operate freighter flights connecting Europe and North America for a frequency of 34 operations per week. Those particular routes would include Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Atlanta (ATL), Houston (IAH), Seattle (SEA), and Dallas (DFW) in the United States, Mexico City (MEX) and Guadalajara (GDL) in Mexico, as well as Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Canada. The Southwestern Norwegian city of Stavanger (SVG) has also been partially integrated into the North Atlantic route rotation, stated Lufthansa Cargo. The German airline’s freighters would also cover the South Atlantic westbound to connect Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) with Campinas (VCP), Curitiba (CWB) and Recife (REC) in Brazil, Buenos Aires (EZE) in Argentina, and Montevideo (MVD) in Uruguay for the frequency of four flights per week.
Singapore Airlines - (SIA1) (SINGY) announced that it would once again return to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on November 9, 2020, flying a direct itinerary from its hub, Changi Airport (SIN). The flight will overtake Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) flight from Singapore to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) as the world’s longest commercial scheduled flight, beating it by a measly four kilometers in distance. The airline will operate the flight with an Airbus A350-900, configured with 42 business, 24 premium economy, and 187 economy class seats. However, the main reason why the flag carrier of Singapore is returning to JFK is cargo. “Operating to JFK International Airport would allow Singapore Airlines (SIA1) (SINGY) to accommodate better a mix of passenger and cargo traffic on its services to New York in the current operating climate,” read the airline’s statement. Also, the non-stop services will be further boosted by the growing amount of transfer passengers at Changi Airport (SIN).
South African - SAA aims to relaunch operations in the first half of 2021 South African Airways (SAA) is expected to restart its operations in the first half of 2021, announced the government of South Africa. The airline is supposed to operate as a joint venture of the public and private sectors. The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) stated that the government bailout of 10.5 billion rand ($650 million) secured for state-owned SAA should ensure the airline’s restructuring plan's successful development. The relaunch of SAA in the first half of 2021 would support key economic sectors of South Africa, announced the authority in a statement released on October 29, 2020. “The Business Rescue Plan for SAA is fundamental and will create a solid base for the emergence of a competitive, viable, and sustainable national airline,” stated DPE. “The cumulative effect of these actions is that the government will be partnering with the private sector in the launch and management of the new airline and relieving the financial burden from the fiscus,” added the authority. SAA's restructuring plan would contemplate an initial airline's working capital financial injection of 2.8 billion rand ($172 million), of which 800 rand ($49 million) would be used for the payment of SAA's post-commencement creditors. The plan would also include providing un-flown airline tickets worth 3 billion rand ($184 million), pointed DPE in a statement. The announcement of SAA’s relaunch follows the government’s decision to provide the ailing air carrier a 10.5 billion rand ($650 million) financial injection necessary to implement SAA's restructuring plan. Earlier in October 2020, the National Treasury of South Africa presented to Parliament the medium-term budget policy statement (MTBPS). Following the document, Tito Mboweni, the Finance Minister, approved a 10.5 billion rand ($650 million) bailout to SAA. The MTBPS also set an additional financial injection of 6.5 billion rand ($394 million) to settle SAA’s debts and interests. The Finance Minister considered that the ailing airline was the state-owned lag carrier; therefore, the funding should come from its budget. All operations of the state-owned SAA were suspended on September 29, 2020, after previous attempts to restructure the carrier had been met with opposition from both the government and trade unions. The SAA filed for liquidation and bankruptcy protection in December 2019, after 8 years of continuous losses since 2011.
UPS - UPS pilot unions warn that a spike in Covid-19 cases amongst members could impact its performance during peak season. It is believed that more than 100 UPS pilots have recently contracted the virus. Following UPS president Carol Tomé expressing concern about a spike in Covid-19 cases among the company’s pilots during an investor call, Robert Travis, president of the Independent Pilots Association (IPA), has written an open letter suggesting how the situation could be managed. In his letter to Tomé, Travis — who is also a UPS A300 Captain — called for: expanded pilot access to testing (both before and after flights) and improved the assistance of crewmembers who have tested positive for Covid-19 while abroad. “While, at our urging, the company has offered limited testing, what is being offered currently is woefully inadequate and leaves the pilot group exposed to the rampant transmission of the virus while at work,” Travis said in his letter. He also called for more transparency in UPS’s contact tracing (track and trace) efforts. “At a minimum, the company’s actions in this regard lack transparency, and therefore generate no confidence among pilots that UPS is acting in the best interest of their health and safety,” he said. “Has the Company hired an outside vendor to conduct contact tracing as some cases may indicate? Again, management has been unable to confirm or deny this basic fact. “Asian volumes boost UPS in Q3UPS outlines iPhone launch operations names new members of the board of directors Travis concluded the letter by highlighting the critical role that UPS pilots will play when coronavirus vaccines are transported globally. In light of this, he said the company must ensure that pilots' health and safety be prioritized. “Unprecedented times call for unprecedented actions. Update #85
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