The government of Qatar has said it “regrets any distress or infringement on the personal freedom of any traveller” caused by a decision to conduct intimate medical examinations of women transiting through Doha international airport, in what it said was an “urgently-decided search” to find the mother of an abandoned baby. On Wednesday the Australian government confirmed that 18 women on a flight from Doha to Sydney were subjected to the compulsory medical examination, including 13 Australian citizens. Passengers from 10 flights leaving Doha on the evening of 2 October were affected. The Qatari government broke its silence on Wednesday, three days after the incident became global news. It said the search was triggered by the discovery of a baby in a trash can at Hamad international airport, “concealed in a plastic bag and buried under garbage”. “The baby girl was rescued from what appeared to be a shocking and appalling attempt to kill her,” the statement said. “The infant is now safe under medical care in Doha. This was the first instance of an abandoned infant being discovered in such a condition at HIA – this egregious and life-threatening violation of the law triggered an immediate search for the parents, including on flights in the vicinity of where the newborn was found. While the aim of the urgently-decided search was to prevent the perpetrators of the horrible crime from escaping, the State of Qatar regrets any distress or infringement on the personal freedoms of any traveler caused by this action. His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the State of Qatar has directed that a comprehensive, transparent investigation into the incident be conducted. The results of the investigation will be shared with our international partners. The State of Qatar remains committed to ensuring the safety, security and comfort of all travelers transiting through the country.”<br/>
oneworld
American Airlines is reducing flight attendant training during the next week at its Fort Worth headquarters after two trainers tested positive for COVID-19. The airline said it will hold only “operationally necessary training” and “classes will be led by trainers who have not been at the training and conference center recently.” American plans to resume its full training schedule after Nov. 3. “The safety and well-being of our team members is our unwavering focus always and especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said American Airlines spokeswoman Sarah Jantz. American Airlines already requires temperature checks and face coverings in all buildings. It also does regular cleaning and social distancing in classrooms, along with “several rounds of electrostatic spraying using a hospital-grade disinfectant,” Jantz said. Thousands of flight attendants travel through the training center in Fort Worth every year for mandated FAA training and other job requirements. American Airlines started construction on a new $250m hotel and conference and training center at the “Skyview” campus headquarters, but that project and most other capital investments were put on hold in June. American Airlines brought employees back to its headquarters campus two weeks ago, but only a fraction of the 12,000 employees are working there daily. Hundreds of American Airlines flight attendants and pilots have been infected with COVID-19 during the pandemic, but CEO Doug Parker said the infection rate for crew members is lower than the population at large and even lower than the rate for ground employees.<br/>
Talks between Cathay Pacific and its cabin crew staff over a new contract that would slash wages by up to 40% went nowhere on Tuesday, with the union calling management’s refusal to budge “hugely disappointing”. As the 3 ½-hour meeting was taking place at Cathay headquarters, the airline’s pilots union was sitting down with Labour Department officials requesting their help in dealing with their own contentious new deal that would sharply cut salaries. Both groups face a looming deadline, having been told they would be terminated if they failed to accept the new contracts by Wednesday next week. “It is hugely disappointing that the management just did not want to listen to their colleagues at all,” Cathay Pacific Flight Attendants Union chairwoman Zuki Wong Sze-man said after the meeting. Wong said managers present at the meeting played union representatives a video featuring top brass explaining why cabin crew needed to sign the new contracts by November 4. When the union demanded the deadline be postponed, Wong said the managers present would only promise to discuss it with upper management. “They are standing firm on the deadline … they have shown no sincerity in negotiating with us,” said Amber Suen, the union’s vice-chairwoman. “However, we are not giving up at this stage.” The union, which represents most of Cathay’s 8,000 flight attendants, has threatened collective action should the airline refuse to adjust its timetable. It will meet with lawyers on Wednesday to seek their advice on possible actions they can pursue, and also discuss the issue with Labour Department officials. Story has more detail.<br/>