SYDNEY/CHICAGO - Delta Air Lines Inc and Air New Zealand Ltd said they would offer cargo charter services on passenger planes to boost revenue as the U.S. Senate neared a vote on a bill to give its carriers $58 billion in aid, including payroll support.
Singapore Airlines Ltd on Thursday went into a rare trading halt pending an announcement, days after it said it would ground almost its entire fleet and seek more financing as it grapples with the coronavirus pandemic. New Zealand’s Auckland International Airport Ltd said it had cut 90 contractors and was talking to its staff about reducing hours and salaries by 20% as demand plummets.
The U.S. Senate is preparing to vote on an industry aid package, half in the form of grants to cover some 750,000 employees’ paychecks. In an effort to raise much-needed revenue and keep some planes in the air, Delta and Air New Zealand said they had joined the growing number of carriers offering cargo charters on passenger planes.
About 1,800 planes had been grounded globally on Monday and Tuesday, according to aviation research firm Cirium.The International Air Transport Association , which represents the airline industry, said that red tape is holding up medical and other emergency supplies needed to help tackle the coronavirus crisis.
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