Air France must slash domestic flights and agree to work towards becoming the world’s “most environmentally friendly” airline, if it is to satisfy the conditions of its government bailout. French finance minister Bruno Le Maire detailed the conditions to a parliamentary economics committee on 29 April, and has posted a video on Twitter in which he summarises the government’s expectations of the airline. The French government wants Air France to halve its overall carbon-dioxide emissions per passenger-kilometre by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. This is in line with plans already set out by the airline. The CO2 reduction target for domestic flights, however, is even more stringent: the finance minister is calling for a 50% reduction by the end of 2024. “As soon as there is a rail alternative to domestic flights with a duration of less than 2.5h, these domestic flights will have to be drastically reduced and limited to hub transfers,” says Le Maire. The French government is also calling on Air France to renew its fleet with more efficient aircraft, and to commit to sourcing 2% of its fuel requirements from sustainable sources by 2025. <br/>
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Garuda Indonesia is planning to provide rapid testing services for future passengers to curb the spread of the highly infectious virus on airplanes, president director Irfan Setiaputra told a hearing with House of Representatives Commission VI on Wednesday. “There is a plan that we, along with Angkasa Pura I, Angkasa Pura II and the air transport authority, will conduct [the COVID-19] rapid test for anyone [on] aircraft once flights [resume],” Irfan said, referring to the two state-owned airport operators. Airlines operating routes in Indonesia have grounded their aircraft to comply with the government’s ban on travel to and from COVID-19 "red zones". The large-scale social restrictions implemented in major Indonesian cities with hub airports has also heavily impacted airline frequency. Irfan said that the flag carrier had already implemented health protocols including regular disinfection of aircraft, temperature scanning and check-ups for passengers, and onboard physical distancing.<br/>