Newsletter – March 10, 2020

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

Breaking: British Airways Cancels All Flights To Italy Until April

simpleflying.com

British Airways has canceled all flights to Italy until the 4th of April. The move, first spotted by Head for Points, comes as the country was yesterday placed into lockdown amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Read more here.

IATA calls for suspension of airport slot rules

aircargonews.net

IATA has called for airport slot rules to be suspended immediately and for the 2020 season in response to the coronavirus.

The airline group said that it is contacting aviation regulators worldwide to request suspension of rules governing use of airport slots. Read more here.

OCEAN FREIGHT UPDATES

China port operations returning to normal

freightwaves.com

Major ocean container lines are reporting their operations in mainland China are returning to normal in most locations.

CMA-CGM said Monday that employees in its North China offices, however, would continue to operate “in alternating split groups from home or from office.” And employees in Wuhan, Yichang and Yangtze will continue to work remotely. Read more here.

OOCL cancels two more transpacific sailings as demand slumps

seanews.com.tr

HONG Kong’s Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), now a Cosco unit, has announced two cancelled transpacific sailings due to low demand in addition to those voided in the February 26 customary advice. Read more here.

Powerful storms could slam largest European ports this week

freightwaves.com

A series of intense storms could disrupt services at some of the busiest ports in Europe this week. Strong winds and rainfall as well as high surf could delay ships waiting to load or unload.

Two systems are forecast to move across the continent starting late Monday, continuing through Thursday. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Israel Will Begin Quarantining All Arrivals For 14 Days

simpleflying.com

Breaking news coming out of Israel indicates that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government will impose a self-quarantine for a period of 14-days due to the coronavirus. This applies not just to foreign nationals, but also to all Israeli citizens. Read more here.