Masks are back in Germany

The USA’s mask mandate for passengers was one of the most contentious aspects of the pandemic. The country’s massive domestic network and determination of its liberty-loving citizens to return to the skies meant the airline sector there began to surge back in mid-2020, ahead of the rest of the globe. However, many opposed compulsory face coverings as an assault on freedom, and the rule sparked instances of air rage.

In more compliant Europe, masks were less controversial, but, over the past 12 months, countries have been dropping the requirement. An exception has been Germany, where the government is insisting that passengers must again wear face coverings from October to April, in a bid to stem an expected spread of the virus over winter. Airlines are furious, insisting the measures are unnecessary, out of kilter with other countries, and harmful to a still recovering industry.

When Airbus launched the A380 in the early 2000s, executives were keen to talk up the potential of the double-deck airliner to create a new world of long-haul travel. Airlines could use the space to create a cruise ship atmosphere with on-board gyms, lounges, and other communal areas. While some customers installed bars, showers and suites to lure top end travelers, for most passengers the experience of flying the superjumbo was not unlike other widebody aircraft.

Now Emirates, the one true believer in the largest-ever airliner, is expanding the appeal of its flagship with a premium-economy offering. It comes as 70% of the Dubai carrier’s 118-strong A380 fleet is on track to return to service this year. Emirates will retrofit 67 A380s with premium-economy seating, along with 53 of its Boeing 777s, after running a trial on a few aircraft last year. The cabin will initially feature on services to New York, Auckland, Melbourne, San Francisco and Singapore.

Other A380 operators, including British Airways and Qantas, already offer premium economy on their superjumbos, and the product could become more widespread as corporate budgets tighten in 2023. An interim offering between economy and business class gives corporate customers a chance to cut travel spend, while still offering their staff a step-up from the basic cabin. It also gives leisure passengers the opportunity to buy more legroom and personal space without breaking the bank.

ITA emerged last October from the ruins of Alitalia, remaining state-owned. Now, Italy’s government looks set to sell the operation to a consortium led by Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines. Will ITA’s new owners be able to turn it around? Competing in long-haul requires critical mass – or providing niche routes as part of a larger group. Meanwhile, budget carriers such as Ryanair are entrenched in lucrative short-haul markets like Milan Bergamo and will be hard to dislodge. Buona fortuna!

Finally, a report last week again highlighted the dangers of fatigued pilots. The USA’s National Transportation Safety Board concluded that oversights by tired flightcrew were significant reasons behind the September 2019 stall and fatal crash of a Convair 440 cargo aircraft near Toledo. The NTSB highlighted the pilots’ “failure to maintain the proper airspeed on final approach” which resulted in the impact with trees and ground.

The crew had been flying during hours of darkness, making several stops – the crash took place at 02:39 local time. The board commented that: “their performance was likely impaired by fatigue, resulting from both the total duration of the overnight flights and the approach being conducted in the window of the circadian low”. It added that poor communication between the pilots and the fact that they had improperly configured the flight-management computer also contributed.