Mideast, African govts failing to protect airlines: IATA

Middle Eastern and African govts are failing to take the action required to protect their airlines from the economic crisis caused by the new coronavirus pandemic, IATA said Thursday. Several states have stepped in to help their airlines that have seen travel demand decimated by the global outbreak, such as the US, Singapore and Australia, though few in the Middle East have made their intentions clear. IATA has been consulting with African and Middle Eastern govts, regulators and stakeholders on how to revive air travel as some countries start to slowly ease lockdowns. However, IATA VP for Africa and the Middle East, Muhammad Albakri, said the association was not satisfied with Middle Eastern state efforts to support their airlines. <br/>