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After being grounded for almost four months due to COVID-19 pandemic, Air Transat is planning to resume flights to domestic and international destinations from July 23.
To begin, Montreal-based Air Transat will be operating flights to over 23 destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, the U.S. and Canada.
“This is a first step towards getting healthy operations back on track, from both a business and financial perspective,” CEO Jean-Marc Eustache said to the media. The move to reopen comes as the airline announced it lost $179 million in the three-month period up to the end of April.
While resuming these flights is considered a positive step by the airline towards getting back to normal track, it’s anticipated that it won’t be business as usual due the changed market conditions and low demands because of pandemic.
To adhere with stipulated physical distancing requirements for prevention of COVID-19, Transat’s network of travel agencies will be realigning the way it dealt with customer at their desks as the New Normal era checks in.
New procedures to be followed at Airports
While checking in at the airport, passengers will be asked health-related questions, and counters and self-service kiosks will be regularly sanitized.
And on board, all passengers will be provided with a safety kit containing mask, gloves, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes.
The proposed takeover deal by Air Canada to buy out Air Transat for $720 million is still waiting the approval from regulatory authorities in Canada and Europe.
The deal was struck last summer and much before COVID-19 hit. It’s clear that pandemic has changed the outlook for the industry since then.
“While the Air Transat remains firmly committed to completing the transaction with Air Canada, it doesn’t rule that factors beyond its control and related to the COVID-19 pandemic could influence the outcome of the proposed arrangement,” said Air Transat.
