The Transportation Security Administration screened an average of 661,811 people a day in the first five days of July, 90% more than last month and five times April traffic but still a 72% drop from the holiday weekend in 2019. Airlines for America reported that North American carriers have taken 800 aircraft out of storage but 39% of the fleet is still grounded and airlines are operating at 46% of their usual volume.
The US Transportation Department has awarded four Colorado airports a total of $4.3 million for infrastructure improvements. The grants will go to Northern Colorado Regional Airport, Rangely Airport, Grand Junction Regional Airport and Rifle Garfield County Airport, slated for the largest grant at $3.1 million.
Palm Beach International Airport will receive $3 million in federal construction grants. The Florida airport is using the funds to support an update of its rainwater runoff plan and upgrade escalators.
The UPS Foundation has donated grants to non-profits involved with pandemic relief efforts in the Louisville, Ky. area. The funds are in addition to a donation made earlier in the year. Recipients include Dare to Care Food Bank, which serves regions in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The food bank will be able to provide about 75,000 meals to local families with the grant funding.
Air Canada has resumed service to Dublin, with cargo helping to support passenger service to the Irish capital. Dublin is one of several international destinations where the airline is resuming service, including Shanghai, Athens, Rome and Amsterdam.
The reasons to embark on a business trip are shifting amid the pandemic, and not all types of business travel will return once restrictions are lifted, writes Vinayak Mahtani, CEO of bnbme. He expects trips to conferences and trade shows to return to normal, while travel to sales meetings will be replaced by videoconferencing and travel to corporate or board of directors meetings will be curtailed to about 25% of previous levels.
With Americans temporarily banned from visiting the European Union, travel advisors are keeping an eye on how long that ban will last. Designing Dreams Travel owner Richelle Schuetz said she's seen clients rebook vacations for 2021 and 2022.
Travel will be different this summer as travelers are taking extra precautions due to the coronavirus outbreak. For those driving, travelers are limiting stops, making sure to bring hand sanitizer, wiping down surfaces and taking along masks and gloves.
The health and wellbeing of the traveling public remain a top priority for the entire aviation industry as the US continues to reopen. US airlines have instituted a multi-layered approach to help protect passengers and employees; airports have implemented enhanced cleaning protocols; and TSA is working to reduce the risk of transmission by providing protective equipment to officers and allowing travelers to keep possession of identification materials through check-in.
Airlines for America and stakeholders across the aviation sector joined to commend the Administration's guidelines, Runway to Recovery. The guidance is an important step in protecting the health and wellbeing of the flying public and employees.