KLM has opted to accommodate crew members who aren’t vaccinated against Covid-19, rather than issuing mandates as more global destinations require shots. The Dutch arm of Air France-KLM will ask pilots and flight attendants to register their vaccine status, but not require inoculation, it said in a statement Tuesday. Schedules will be adjusted to avoid sending those who aren’t vaccinated to destinations where they’ll fail to meet entry requirements, and managers won’t be told why workers are being kept off of certain flights. The flexible approach differs from other carriers that have tightened rules on workers -- notably in the US, where vaccine status is a hot-button political issue. KLM said its updated policy, which takes effect from Sept. 14, puts it at risk of “major operational problems” as more countries require vaccinations from airline flight staff. An obligation in Trinidad & Tobago takes effect from Oct. 16, the airline said.<br/>
sky
While passenger air travel has plummeted during the pandemic, demand for air cargo has surged. With e-commerce up and trucks often unable to cross borders, air freight became a global lifeline transporting medical supplies and personal protective equipment, as well as all kinds of everyday products. According to the IATA, in June this year African airlines increased freight volumes by 33.5% compared to the same period in 2019 — a bigger increase than anywhere else in the world. CNN Business spoke with Allan Kilavuka, group managing director and CEO at Kenya Airways, from inside what he calls "the world's first cargo-converted Dreamliner 787," about how the airline has pivoted to meet this market shift. Story features interview aobut impact of Covid-19 on the business.<br/>
Kenya Airways has launched a cargo codeshare partnership with Congo Airways and signed an agreement to lease two Embraer E190 jets to Kinshasa-based airline. The SkyTeam carrier says it has also launched cargo operations today between Johannesburg and Lubumbashi city in Democratic Republic of Congo. The partnership strengthens collaboration and bolsters aviation ties between Kenya and Congo, actualising the memorandum of understanding between the two African airlines signed in April, Kenya Airways notes. Kenya Airways’ group managing director and chief executive Allan Kilavuka states: “Cargo has provided new opportunities in the face of the pandemic and we are keen to continue building our operations and leveraging partnerships.” Kenya is seeking to leverage the Congo market by diversifying its export destinations, given the Covid 19 induced disruption, which has highlighted the need for deeper inter-regional trade, the Nairobi-based airline says.<br/>