Lufthansa is to offer passengers Covid-19 tests at Frankfurt airport that provide results within hours and can be linked to individual tickets in an effort to allow travellers to avoid quarantine. The airline has joined forces with German company Centogene, which opened a walk-in testing centre at the airport on Monday that it said would act as a “blueprint to opening international borders”. Passengers coming through the hub will be able to pay for a test that provides a result within two to three hours, and that will soon be integrated with Lufthansa boarding passes. The procedure would give customers “a comfortable opportunity to test themselves for flights abroad or a stay in Germany, to avoid quarantine”, said Björn Becker, a director at Lufthansa. He added that for travellers from Germany to countries such as the United Arab Emirates, the pre-flight test would be sufficient, while Chinese authorities might require an additional test upon landing. The carrier said it would consider offering a similar service at its other big hub in Munich. However, Lufthansa customers wishing to use Centogene’s service at Frankfurt airport will have to pay up to E139 for the fast-track test, and an additional E9 to tie the verified result to their passport details. A slower test, which provides a result in six to eight hours, is also available for E59.<br/>
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South Africa’s Department of Public Enterprises announced its withdrawal from a panel that was established to facilitate talks with the troubled national airline’s workers about its planned overhaul, accusing three unions of undermining its work and putting jobs at risk. SAA was placed into a form of bankruptcy protection six months ago after a succession of managers failed to restore it to profitability and Finance Minister Tito Mboweni urged an end to repeated bailouts. Administrators this month published a rescue plan that would stave off the carrier’s liquidation by securing it at least 26.7 billion rand ($1.5 billion) in additional state aid, a first step toward laying the groundwork for a new, viable carrier. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, the South African Cabin Crew Association and the SAA Pilots Association reacted furiously to a provision that the airline workforce be reduced by almost 80% to 1,000 people. By supporting a delay to the vote, the three unions had “contradicted the letter and spirit” of a compact agreed by the consultative panel’s and created uncertainty for creditors and potential investors, the Department of Public Enterprises said in a statement. “Instead of creating conditions for attracting investment and skilled South Africans, three unions have put SAA on a path towards possible liquidation.” The unions are also urging the government to offer a stimulus package to the aviation sector so it survives the effects of the global coronavirus pandemic, they said in a joint statement Monday.<br/>
The chief of ANA Monday pledged to implement company-wide reforms in response to reduced demand during the coronavirus pandemic, with the airline industry expecting a long-term downturn due to government travel restrictions. Speaking at a general shareholders’ meeting in Tokyo, ANA President and CEO Shinya Katanozaka remained confident the company can start to grow once again, saying, “For a revival in the world economy, the aviation business is essential.” Katanozaka said the group secured credit worth Y1t to underpin its finances, telling shareholders that it will make the utmost efforts to achieve a speedy recovery in earnings. The group is expected to disclose its reform plan in July.<br/>
EgyptAir announced resuming its non-stop flights to more than 29 international destinations starting July 1. The carrier announced the operation of flights to 17 destinations in Europe, 4 in Africa, 4 in the Middle East, 3 in North America in addition to Guangzhou in China. “This decision comes in light of the intensive actions taken by EGYPTAIR to welcome its passengers starting July 1st” stated Capt Roshdy Zakaria, EgyptAir Chairman & CEO. Story has details.<br/>