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What's Going on in the Airlines Space
LATAM Airlines Group: filed for U.S. bankruptcy protection (x)
Lufthansa: Germany, Lufthansa Agree on $9.8 Billion Bailout (x) What does this mean? Your air ticket with Lufthansa is safer now, because the airlines isn't going bankrupt and will continue flying.
China: Airlines are getting subsidies and assistance by the Chinese government (x) but we have no details of who will receive help and when.
Thailand: Thai Airasia (low cost airlines) might merge with another low cost airlines if demand does not improve by July (x) What does this mean? This is a signal by the airlines to tell you that they will do their best to continue operating, even if it means merging with others. So book your air tickets at your own risk.
Frontier airlines: do not book with them right now. They are not processing refund and are changing flight times to ungodly hours.
Norwegian Air: they are processing refunds now. It took a while, but people are receiving their refunds. Hope you get yours soon!
What Else is Going On
[Rental Car] Skift is closing down its short-term rental business, Multifamily. (x)
[Do travel] Japan Tourism Agency is considering a Go To Travel campaign to encourage domestic travel by giving 20,000 yen per person, per stay. (x)
[Do not travel] Tensions in the Indian-Chinese border of the Himalayan region (x)
[First Class] I know first class tickets are cheap now and you’re tempted to get them. Just be reminded that a first class in an A350 is not the same as “first class” in a smaller and older plane. So be wary of this risk, because with less demand, planes are flying less passengers. Your first class experience might not be that dreamy first class that you know.
[Refunds] Hostelworld is postponing refunds until April 30 2021. FYI, that is next year. So good luck with getting back your money. If you have to book, maybe booking.com is safer. (It’s a bigger company.)
Countries Opening for Transit Flights
[27 May] Dubai allows transit flights starting 27 May (x)
[1 Jun] Stuck in Thailand, you can start flying domestically within Thailand (x)
[1 Jun] You can now fly via Hong Kong (x)
[2 Jun] and via Singapore too (x)
What to Watch Out for
Airbnb hosts selling off their property because of the pandemic. Hong Kong loses its autonomy status from the US; you can still travel to Hong Kong as an American citizen, but things are changing rapidly. How Hong Kong coronavirus testing lab plans to help Cathay Pacific, other airlines revive international travel. Hainan Airlines Holdings (China) and its subsidiary airlines have cancelled the transfer of 9 aircraft to a Hong Kong-based holding company.