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China’s three largest carriers reported year-on-year declines in their full-year traffic results for 2020 as the coronavirus outbreak impacted travel demand, particularly in their international networks. However, a strong domestic recovery for most of the second half of the year helped the ‘Big Three’ — China Southern, China Eastern and Air China — offset any steeper plunge in full-year passenger traffic. In separate traffic results released on 15 January, the three carriers saw full-year passenger numbers drop by around 40% year on year. Overall capacity and traffic, measured in ASKs and RPKs respectively, also saw declines — of between 38 to 52% — compared to full-year results from 2019. Air China carried 68.7m passengers in 2020 across its networks, a 40% decline year on year. Overall RPKs fell 53%, while ASKs across the network decreased 46% year on year. The airline carried 65.8m domestic passengers in 2020, a 29% drop compared to 2019’s numbers. Domestic RPKs fell nearly 30%, with ASKs slipping 19% year on year. Across the three carriers, full-year international traffic numbers recorded steep plunges, due to international travel restrictions imposed to curb the spread — and importation — of the coronavirus. The ‘Big Three’ saw passenger numbers plummet around 87% year on year, with international ASKs falling around 81% and RPKs plunging about 86% compared to 2019. <br/>

Air NZ staff will be tested for Covid-19 using saliva samples, in a three-month study kicking off next week. Saliva-based testing has been increasingly touted as a quick, accurate and less invasive option for those who need regular checks - and if the study is successful it could be rolled out more widely. In the new trial, led by ESR and Air New Zealand, staff members will provide saliva samples alongside their regular nasopharyngeal swabs, so the two can be compared. ESR's chief scientist, Dr Brett Cowan, said there was hope saliva testing would be more comfortable than current methods. "This study will go a long way to determine how saliva testing might fit, or not fit alongside nasal swab testing, within New Zealand's unique context where we must detect and track every case," he said. "Every time our testing regime is adjusted, it needs to be based on rigorous, evidence-based science to ensure our communities have the best protection. If saliva testing is to be incorporated into our testing regime, it needs to undergo that same scrutiny for us to have confidence in its ability to detect Covid-19."<br/>

Air NZ will restart commercial flights from Auckland to Rarotonga, on the Cook Islands, on 21 January following the recent announcement of a new one-way travel bubble. Moving forward, the airline will operate two A320 flights per week, departing Rarotonga on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The announcement comes after New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern said Cook Island residents would able to fly into the country without quarantine but not the other way around – in an effective reversal of the country’s bubble with Australia. “We said we would take a phased approach to resuming two-way travel and will do so only once all safety protocols can be met,” said PM Ardern. Those arriving in the country will undertake health checks and must wear masks in flight. Air New Zealand CE Greg Foran called the lifting of restrictions fantastic news. “We know many Cook Islanders will be eager to connect with friends and family in New Zealand, and we look forward to seeing what a two-way quarantine-free travel arrangement will look like,” said Foran. “Of course safety is our first priority for our customers and staff. We’ve been working closely with both governments, relevant agencies and airports on what is required to keep our customers and staff safe once travel opens up.”<br/>