davewang202

1. Just read the new story about Russia coming for US Shale, and oil is expected to drop some more. At least fuel will be cheap(er) for UA through all this.

2. Maybe China is slowly getting back to "normal", whatever that means, but China's efforts are shifting to preventing reverse transmission from outside of China. All foreigners entering into China (not just those from Korea, Italy and Iran) has to be quarantined fort 14 days. Unless this virus magically disappears from all over the world, expect China to keep this quarantine for a while. This means that only those that really want to go to China will go - no business travelers or leisure travelers. Nevermind UA's direct flights to China - all of Asia's air traffic will continue to be depressed for as long as there's any hint of this virus around. Maybe 1 flight or 3 flights per week will be sufficient for all the routes even after China declares the all-clear internally.

Things don't look good, and probably won't be good for a good long while.

dcchi

I wonder if EU slotting rules are the reason airlines like United haven’t cut their Italy flights yet. Does anyone know whether these EU slotting rules apply to US airlines?

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/10/coro...t-flights.html

spartacusmcfly

Has the EU temporarily suspended the 'use it or lose it' slot rules at UK/EU airports? It's crazy that UA still has two flights/day SFO-LHR, just a few hours apart.

I don't have a dog in the hunt, but I'm starting to understand Brexit a bit better. It's amazing that several countries globally can implement a full lockdown quickly, but the bureaucrats in Brussels can't have a 15 minute conference call to agree to suspend the rule to help airlines and the environment. What's the hold up?

LangerhansCellHistiocytosis

Know the EU probably not. Overburdensome regulation and unintended consequences is just par for the course with the EU.

jsloan

I suspect the EU would have a very difficult time suspending a rule at LHR, because LHR is owned and operated by a private company, and the slot rules at that particular airport are theirs, not the EU's.

spartacusmcfly

Not the case. The Airport Authority apparently needs permission from the EU. That's why British politicians are writing letters to the EU to expedite. UA is suffering, but BA and Virgin are hemorrhaging because of this issue.

ppkpm

why would the EU care even if they still have the authority? not their problem given the UK left the EU on 31 January

Fanjet

You'd think that the same people continually whinging about climate change would rather not have planes flying near-empty in order for airlines to not lose their slots. But bureaucracy is what bureaucracy does.

STS-134

How would this interact with government mandates to actually stop all flights? If the US stopped all flights to Europe for example, would UA lose the slots?

g289t

Maybe there is a simple and cheap solution, like the airlines buying a bunch of 4 seater Cessnas and flying them in and out of LHR. They could fly between LHR and LGW, and keep the slots open at both airports. It would cost almost nothing, relatively speaking.

"OK Captain Mike, today you and First Officer Charles are scheduled to fly 4 round trips between Heathrow and Gatwick."

phkc070408

While a bit dated, still relevant

Ghost Flights

StuMcIlwain

The EU has agreed to suspend airport slot rules temporarily.

https://www.theguardian.com/business...s-empty-planes

jcg20

Well, LHR isn't in the EU anymore, so out of their jurisdiction altogether.

gusd

The EU is suspending airport slot rules
https://www.theguardian.com/business...s-empty-planes

StuMcIlwain

It still falls under EU rules, until the end of 2020.