EGYPTAIR News 5 April 2020

2020-4-5

‫(فهرس)‬ ‫الصفحة (‪«: )2-1‬مصر للطٌران» تعلن موعد آخر رحالت إجالء المصرٌ​ٌن العالقٌن بسبب كورونا‬ ‫الصفحة (‪:)3‬إقالع طائرة مصر للطٌران من واشنطن على متنها ‪ 290‬مصر ًٌا‪ ..‬صور‬ ‫الصفحة (‪:)5-4‬عودة رحالت ترانزٌت طٌران الخلٌج البحرٌنٌة‬ ‫الصفحة (‪ :)6‬طٌران اإلمارات‪ :‬عودة اإلماراتٌ​ٌن العالقٌن مجانا ً‬ ‫الصفحة (‪Emirates announces first passenger flights:)8-7‬‬ ‫الصفحة ‪Qatar Airways is taking firm steps to respond:12-11-10-)9‬‬ ‫‪to COVID-19‬‬ ‫الصفحة (‪Travel Agents: IATA Flexible on BSP Payments:) 16-15-14 -13‬‬ ‫‪but Picks Vouchers Over Refunds‬‬ ‫الصفحة (‪JetBlue and Delta apply for federal payroll grants: )20-19-18-17‬‬ ‫الصفحة(‪Pilot Sues Virgin Atlantic For £1.7 Million:)24-23-22-21‬‬

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫«مصر للطٌران» تعلن موعد آخر رحالت إجالء المصرٌ​ٌن العالقٌن بسبب كورونا‬ ‫كتب‪ :‬محمد الصٌفً‬

‫كشفت مصادر بالشركة الوطنٌة القابضة «مصر للطٌران» أن الٌوم‪ ،‬السبت سٌشهد‬ ‫إقالع آخر رحلة إلعادة العالقٌن المصرٌ​ٌن من الخارج‪ ،‬مشٌرة إلى أنه تقرر تسٌ​ٌر‬ ‫الرحلة األخٌرة إلعادة العالقٌن المصرٌ​ٌن من واشنطن‪ ،‬إلى مطار مرسى علم الدولً‪،‬‬ ‫لتصل صباح األحد‪ ،‬وذلك إلقامة الحجر الصحً لهم لمدة ‪ٌ 14‬وما‪ ،‬بمدٌنة مرسى علم‪،‬‬ ‫بعٌدا عن القاهرة‪.‬‬ ‫وأضافت المصادر لـ«المصري الٌوم» أن ذلك ٌأتً فً إطار خطة الدولة لمكافحة‬ ‫انتشار فٌروس كورونا المستجد بالتنسٌق مع عدد من الوزارات المشاركة فً رحالت‬ ‫إجالء المصرٌ​ٌن العالقٌن بالخارج ووضعهم تحت الحجر الصحً كإجراء احترازي‪.‬‬ ‫وأوضحت المصادر إن مصر للطٌران سٌرت العدٌد من الرحالت االستثنائٌة‪ ،‬ونعمل فً‬ ‫ظروف صعبة‪ ،‬من أجل عٌون المصرٌ​ٌن‪ ،‬وتنفٌذا لتوجٌهات القٌادة السٌاسٌة ونتمنى‬ ‫أن تعود األمور لطبٌعتها والقضاء نهائٌا ً على فٌروس كورونا‪.‬‬ ‫تابع‬

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫‪1‬‬

‫وأكدت المصادر أن الشركة الوطنٌة القابضة مصر للطٌران قررت تحوٌل رحلة‬ ‫واشنطن األخٌرة مساء أمس‪ ،‬للهبوط بمطار مرسى علم وإجراء الكشف الطبً‬ ‫والتحالٌل الفوري فور الهبوط‪ ،‬ثم إنهاء إجراءات وصول الركاب واحتجازهم بالحجر‬ ‫الصحً‪ ،‬مثل ركاب رحلتٌن لندن وفرنسا‪ ،‬بأحد فنادق المدٌنة‪.‬‬ ‫وتابعت المصادر أن الشركة الوطنٌة القابضة مصر للطٌران واصلت مشاركتها فً‬ ‫حملة خلٌك فً البٌت‪ ،‬والتً دعت إلٌها العدٌد من المؤسسات والجهات حول العالم‬ ‫للحد من انتشار فٌروس كورونا المستجد (كوفٌد‪.)19 -‬‬ ‫وأطلقت الشركة الٌوم‪ ،‬السبت‪ ،‬فٌدٌو ثانً على صفحتها الرسمٌة على موقع التواصل‬ ‫االجتماعً فٌسبوك ٌتضمن لقطات لمجموعة من العاملٌن بمختلف شركات مصر‬ ‫للطٌران تدعو فٌه عمالءها حول العالم بضرورة الحفاظ على سالمتهم والبقاء فً‬ ‫منازلهم‪ ،‬للسٌطرة على انتشار هذا المرض لٌتمكنوا من العودة واالستمتاع بالسفر مرة‬ ‫أخرى حٌث تنقل مصر للطٌران عمالئها إلى العدٌد من الوجهات الدولٌة والداخلٌة‪.‬‬ ‫وشارك فً الفٌدٌو كل من الركب الطائر والصٌانة والخدمات الجوٌة واألرضٌة‬ ‫والشحن الجوي واألسواق الحرة والصناعات المكملة ومستشفى مصر للطٌران‪.‬‬

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫‪2‬‬

‫إقالع طائرة مصر للطٌران من واشنطن على متنها ‪ 290‬مصر ًٌا‪ ..‬صور‬ ‫كتبت‪/‬رحاب نبٌل‬

‫أقلعت طائرة مصر للطٌران‪ ،‬من مطار واشنطن بالوالٌات المتحدة األمرٌكٌة‪ ،‬فً‬ ‫طرٌقها إلى مطار مرسً علم الدولً‪ ،‬وعلً متنها حوالً ‪ 290‬مصرٌا من العالقٌن‬ ‫بأمرٌكا الراغبٌن فً العودة إلى مصر‪ ،‬نتٌجة تفشً فٌروس كورونا و تعلٌق الرحالت‬ ‫الجوٌة حتً ‪ 15‬أبرٌل المقبل كإجراء احترازي لمواجهة الفٌروس ومنع انتشاره عبر‬ ‫المسافرٌن‪.‬‬ ‫وأكدت مصادر مطلعة بقطاع الطٌران المدنً‪ ،‬أنه فً إطار خطة الدولة لمكافحة انتشار‬ ‫فٌروس كورونا المستجد‪ ،‬وبالتنسٌق بٌن كل الوزارات المشاركة فً رحالت إجالء‬ ‫المصرٌ​ٌن العالقٌن بالخارج ووضعهم تحت الحجر الصحً كإجراء احترازي‪ ،‬تقرر‬ ‫تحوٌل رحلة واشنطن للهبوط بمطار مرسً علم وإجراء الكشف الطبً والتحالٌل‬ ‫الفوري فور الهبوط‪ ،‬ثم إنهاء إجراءات وصول الركاب ووضعهم داخل إجراءات الحجر‬ ‫الصحً مثل ركاب رحلتٌن لندن وفرنسا ‪.‬‬ ‫وأشارت المصادر انه تم التنسٌق بٌن كل السلطات بمطار مرسً علم والجهات‬ ‫المشاركة الستقبال الركاب فجر غدا الجمعة ‪ ،‬واإلشراف علً انهاء إجراءات وصولهم‬ ‫وخروجهم من المطار تحت اإلشراف األمنً الً أماكن إقامتهم لمدة ‪ٌ 14‬وما هناك ‪.‬‬ ‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫عودة رحالت ترانزٌت طٌران الخلٌج البحرٌنٌة‬

‫أعلنت شركة طٌران الخلٌج البحرٌنٌة عودة رحالت الترانزٌت للركاب عبر مطار‬ ‫البحرٌن الدولً‪ ،‬مذكرة بأن دخول البالد ٌقتصر على المواطنٌن والمقٌمٌن خالل فترة‬ ‫تفشً فٌروس كورونا‪.‬‬ ‫وقالت الشركة الٌوم السبت فً تغرٌدة لها على صفحتها فً موقع التواصل االجتماعً‬ ‫"توٌتر"‪" :‬امتثاال للوائح الجدٌدة الصادرة عن شؤون الطٌران المدنً البحرٌنٌة‪،‬‬ ‫نرحب بالركاب العابرٌن من خالل مطار البحرٌن الدولً‪ .‬وال ٌزال الوصول (الدخول)‬ ‫إلى البحرٌن مقصورا على المواطنٌن والمقٌمٌن"‪.‬‬ ‫وفً وقت سابق‪ ،‬أعلنت شركة طٌران اإلمارات حصولها على موافقة السلطات‬ ‫المختصة فً البالد‪ ،‬للبدء بتشغٌل عدد من رحالت الركاب اعتبارا من ‪ 6‬أبرٌل‪.‬‬ ‫وساهم انتشار فٌروس كورونا فً العالم فً تعلٌق العدٌد من شركات الطٌران‬ ‫رحالتها‪ ،‬فً محاول للحد من انتشار عدوى الوباء العالمً‪ ،‬الذي فتك بأكثر من ‪53‬‬ ‫ألف شخص وأصاب أكثر من ملٌون آخرٌن فً العالم حتى اآلن‪.‬‬ ‫تابع‬

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫وسجلت حركة النقل الجوي للركاب‪ ،‬المتأثرة بشدة من تفشً الفٌروس‪ ،‬تراجعا بنسبة‬ ‫‪ 14.1‬بالمائة فً العالم خالل شهر فبراٌر مقارنة بالفترة نفسها من العام السابق‪،‬‬ ‫وفق ما أعلن اتحاد النقل الجوي الدولً (إٌاتا)‪.‬‬ ‫وقررت غالبٌة الشركات وقف عملٌاتها‪ ،‬وأصبحت تكافح من أجل البقاء‪ ،‬كما قامت‬ ‫شركات بتقلٌص أو تسرٌح طوعً لموظفٌن ٌعملون فٌها‪ ،‬أو بتخفٌض الرواتب‪.‬‬

‫تابع‬

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫‪5‬‬

‫طٌران اإلمارات‪ :‬عودة اإلماراتٌ​ٌن العالقٌن مجانا ً‬ ‫تعمل مطارات دبً على إنهاء إجراءات بقٌة المسافرٌن الذٌن اضطروا للبقاء فً مطار‬ ‫دبً الدولً‪ ،‬وعددهم ‪ 91‬مسافراً ومسافرة‪ ،‬بعد تعلٌق أغلب رحالت الطٌران للركاب‪،‬‬ ‫بسب وباء فٌروس كورونا (كوفٌد – ‪.)19‬‬ ‫وأكدت طٌران اإلمارات أنها ستعٌد المواطنٌن اإلماراتٌ​ٌن على متن رحالتها من الخارج‬ ‫مجاناً‪ ،‬بحسب صحٌفة "االتحاد"‪.‬‬ ‫وقال الشٌخ أحمد بن سعٌد‪ ،‬رئٌس هٌئة دبً للطٌران المدنً‪ ،‬الرئٌس التنفٌذي‪ ،‬رئٌس‬ ‫مجلس اإلدارة لمجموعة اإلمارات‪ ،‬إن طٌران اإلمارات ستعٌد المواطنٌن اإلماراتٌ​ٌن‬ ‫إلى الوطن مجانا ً على أي من رحالتها المحدودة التً ستستأنف تشغٌلها من دبً‬ ‫األسبوع المقبل‪ ،‬موضحا ً أن علٌهم التواصل مع سفارات اإلمارات للترتٌب للعودة‪.‬‬ ‫وقالت مطارات دبً فً بٌان صحافً‪ ،‬إنه تقرر استضافة جمٌع الركاب الـ‪ 91‬المتبقٌن‬ ‫فً المطار من جنسٌات مختلفة فً فنادق مطار دبً‪ ،‬مع تطبٌق تدابٌر الحجر الصحً‬ ‫الالزمة‪ ،‬إلى حٌن االنتهاء من اإلجراءات الخاصة بهم فً أقرب فرصة‪ ،‬سواء لتمكٌنهم‬ ‫من العودة مجدداً إلى أوطانهم أو االنتهاء من إجراء الفحوص الطبٌة الالزمة لتمكٌنهم‬ ‫من الدخول إلى الدولة‪ ،‬وفق المعاٌ​ٌر واالشتراطات الموضوعة من قِ َبل الجهات‬ ‫المختصة‪.‬‬ ‫وكان إجمالً من تأثروا بقرار تعلٌق الرحالت قد ناهز نحو ‪ 600‬راكب‪ ،‬إما بسبب‬ ‫تقلٌص رحالتهم خارج مطار دبً الدولً أو ألنهم كانوا ٌسعون إلى دخول دولة‬ ‫اإلمارات العربٌة المتحدة بعد وضع قٌود على الدخول إلى الدولة‪ ،‬إال أن الجهود لم‬ ‫تتوقف بل تم تكثٌفها إلٌجاد البدائل الكفٌلة بإعادة الركاب العالقٌن فً المطار إلى‬ ‫بلدانهم‪ ،‬بٌنما تم توفٌر أقصى درجات العناٌة للجمٌع‪.‬‬

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫‪6‬‬

Emirates announces first passenger flights post suspension

Emirates announced first passenger flights post suspension, with limited services starting from 6 April 2020 .

Initial flights to commence from Dubai to London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Zurich and Brussels with 4 flights a week to London Heathrow, and 3 flights a week to the other cities.

Operating from Dubai International airport Terminal 2 until further notice, these flights will only carry outbound passengers from the UAE. Emirates will

7

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫تابع‬

also carry belly-hold cargo in both directions, supporting trade and communities with the transport of essential goods.

Emirates will operate its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on these routes, offering seats in Business and Economy class. Travel restrictions are in place at these destinations, and travelers are urged to check entry criteria before they fly.

For health and safety reasons, Emirates will operate a modified inflight service program on these flights.

Magazines and other print reading material will not be available, and while food and beverages will continue to be offered on board, packaging and presentation will be modified to reduce contact during meal service Emirates’ Lounge and Chauffeur Drive services will be temporarily unavailable during this period.

All Emirates aircraft will go through enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes in Dubai, after each journey.

8

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

Qatar Airways is taking firm steps to respond to COVID-19

Qatar Airways continues to take firm steps in response to COVID-19 (coronavirus). The airline’s robust measures include amending its flight schedule, working with governments to take people home, and introducing new policies to ensure the health and safety of staff, and maintaining its vital cargo operations.

Flight schedules and bookings Qatar Airways continues to temporarily hold flights to severely affected countries due to entry restrictions implemented by many governments to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The airline will place a temporary hold on flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) from 1 April 2020, Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) from 4 April, and Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN) from 5 April, with the intention to reinstate flights in line with a return to regular conditions.

9

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫تابع‬

Health and safety measures Qatar Airways has implemented robust policies to ensure the health and safety of its passengers and employees.

Cabin crew have received training on how to minimize their chances of contracting or spreading the infection, are thermally screened before the departure of flights and after their arrival, and are quarantined and tested if any colleagues or passengers on a flight shows any symptoms of infection or test positive for the virus.

In terms of passengers, Qatar Airways is encouraging social distancing where possible, especially on flights with lighter loads. Distancing is also implemented during the boarding process, ensuring passengers are allocated seats far apart from each other.

As an airline, Qatar Airways maintains the highest possible hygiene standards, which include the regular disinfection of aircraft, the use of cleaning products recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and WHO. .

10

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫تابع‬

Qatar Airways’ aircraft feature the most advanced air filtration systems, equipped with industrial-size HEPA filters that remove 99.97% of viral and bacterial contaminants from recirculated air, providing the most effective protection against infection. All the airline’s onboard linen and blankets are washed, dried and pressed at microbial lethal temperatures, and then sealed into individual packaging by staff wearing disposable gloves.

Qatar Airways Cargo Qatar Airways supported China supported by donating and flying 300 tons of medical supplies to in five cargo aircraft to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. It also flew six tons of medical supplies free of charge to the Islamic Republic of Iran, which were donated by the State of Qatar, in March. Qatar Airways Cargo has offered to fly any medical supplies to China and Iran free of charge, to continue to support the coronavirus relief efforts of these countries

In terms of its day-to-day operations, Qatar Airways Cargo is working hard to ensure that importers can maintain supplies of fresh produce and pharmaceuticals to countries around the world through our cargo operations – at significantly discounted rates.

11

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫تابع‬

Measures at Hamad International Airport Hamad International Airport (HIA) is also robustly minimizing any risks to the health and safety of passengers and staff.

To limit the number of people at HIA as passenger numbers are below average, there has been a temporary reduction.

In terms of hygiene measures, HIA has implemented stringent cleaning procedures and closed most of the non-essential passenger facilities. All passenger touchpoints are sanitized every 10-15 minutes. All boarding gates and bus gate counters are cleaned after each flight

12

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

Travel Agents: IATA Flexible on BSP Payments but Picks Vouchers Over Refunds

Alexandre de Juniac, the director general and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), on Thursday said that travel agents can make settlements to the BSP billing system ―a bit later‖, without penalties, due to the crisis the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has caused to the industry. ―We know that our members and business partners rely on us to recognize the extraordinary challenges they are facing and to show as much flexibility as possible under the circumstances. We are doing our best to meet these expectations without risking the viability of the systems that are the financial backbone of the industry,‖ de Juniac said in an open letter to the global travel agent community.

13

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫تابع‬

Referring to IATA’s electronic billing system BSP )billing and settlement plan), de Juniac said that the association is allowing settlements to be made a bit later, without penalties. ―While remittance periods have been kept in accordance with BSP Calendars, we are taking a flexible approach and preliminary figures confirm this, showing that default rates in 2020 are a bit below the year-ago period—despite the stresses on the system in 2020,‖ he said.

Further, IATA’s CEO said the association was allowing agents to continue selling—using secure methods—even when they are late with remittances. ―We also recognize that in today’s environment, when it may be difficult to impossible to get audited financial statements, or arrange a financial guarantee, we are offering to extend deadlines for these statements by up to a month,‖ de Juniac added.

14

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫تابع‬

On the issue of airlines withholding ticket refunds in the BSP, or issuing vouchers in lieu of refunds, de Juniac said that his message ―is not one that will provide comfort‖ to travel agents.

Stressing that most airlines are spending more cash in reimbursing their passengers than they receive in new booking revenues, IATA’s CEO underlined that the most urgent need of airlines is to keep their remaining liquidity to pay salaries and face their fixed costs. ―In this context, we believe the best answer for both airlines and travel agents is for regulators to ease requirements for cash refunds and allow airlines to issue vouchers instead,‖ de Juniac said, adding that the vouchers can be managed through the BSP by using processes and procedures that already exist today. ―This would remove the pressure that is currently on agents to issue cash refunds at a time when airlines are making decisions based on their own need to preserve cash,‖ he added. agent community, press here.

15

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫تابع‬

According to de Juniac, IATA is willing to engage in open and collaborative discussions with the travel agency community represented in the Passenger Agency Programme Global Joint Council to formulate a structure for these vouchers that will bring value for airlines, travel agents and consumers.

To read Alexandre de Juniac’s open letter to the travel

16

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

JetBlue and Delta apply for federal payroll grants JetBlue Airways and Delta Air Lines have applied for federal payroll grants in time for the US Treasury Department to ensure quick approval, yet the chief executives of both carriers say they will need to raise additional capital.

The Treasury encouraged airlines to apply by 3 April to ensure quick approval for the $25 billion in grants to use for employee wages, salaries and benefits, warning that applications received after 27 April may not be considered. Conditions of these grants include that recipients may not furlough employees or reduce their benefits through 30 September.

17

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫تابع‬

The grants are based on 2019 payroll costs, which JetBlue chief executive Robin Hayes says in statement will not account for the company’s growth since then. ―I hope things can move quickly, and we are available this weekend so we can conclude an agreement next week, as time is of the essence,‖ Hayes says in a statement. ―With fewer hours for everyone to work and far fewer flights, total pay is likely to go down for both salary and hourly crewmembers. The good news is this law keeps paychecks coming and it buys us time.‖ The money is badly needed as airlines around the world continue to hemorrhage cash while revenue has basically dried up during the global coronavirus pandemic. JetBlue is spending $10 million daily, Hayes says, while Delta Air Lines chief executive Ed Bastian says his airline is spending $60 million a day, noting ―we know we still haven’t seen the bottom‖.

Both Delta and JetBlue will have to maintain enough flights for essential services, as outlined in the Treasury’s conditions for receiving grants, and await further guidance from the Department of Transportation. airlines.

18

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫تابع‬

―This month our schedule will be at least 80% smaller than originally planned, with 115,000 flights cancelled,‖ Bastian says. ―I wish I could predict this would end soon, but the reality is we simply don’t know how long it will take before the virus is contained and customers are ready to fly again.‖ Both executives say they are in talks with other lenders to raise additional capital. To preserve cash, JetBlue has announced it will reduce its April capacity by at least 70%, park more than 100 of its aircraft and take other measures, including cutting pay for all executives ranking vice-president and higher. ―Just 7,000 Customers are likely to fly us each day in April and possibly May, compared to the 120,000 we would typically expect,‖ Hayes says.

Delta has likewise taken measures to save cash, which include implementing a hiring freeze, offering voluntary leave to staff and deferring $500 million in planned 2020 capital expenditures along with $500 million in planned 2020 pension contributions.

19

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫تابع‬

The Treasury will have the power to revoke funds if airlines violate conditions. JetBlue, Delta and other recipients of payroll grants will be forbidden from buying back stock or paying dividends through 30 September, and annual salaries above $425,000 are to be frozen for two years. Recipients must also provide ―warrants, options, stock and other financial instruments to provide appropriate compensation for the government for the assistance‖.

The federal aid additionally provides options for conditional loans, including $25 billion for passenger airlines and $4 billion for cargo

20

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

Pilot Sues Virgin Atlantic For £1.7 Million A Virgin Atlantic pilot is suing the airline for £1.7 million (US$2.09 million) after he was forced out of his job unfairly following rumors that he had taken a 40-minute nap. The 48-year-old airline captain who lives near Brighton in Sussex says that Virgin Atlantic took action against him based solely on hearsay and is now seeking compensation.

The claim stems from a 2015 long-haul flight between London Heathrow (LHR) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).

21

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫تابع‬

During the 11 hours 50 minute flight, both of Captain Lawson’s co-pilots fell ill, and with eight hours still to go, the seasoned pilot decided to continue the flight alone.

Eventually one of the co-pilots recovered in time to help land the aircraft safely in the East Asian semiautonomous territory.

Virgin Atlantic never wrote an incident report After the flight, rumors started circulating amongst Virgin staff that suggested that captain Lawson had taken a 40-minute nap while both of the other pilots were not on the flight deck.

Despite the talk of Lawson taking a nap, Virgin Atlantic never wrote up an incident report which Lawson claims stopped him from being able to quash the rumors.

Eventually, the UK airline fired Lawson in May of 2017 citing his failure to pass two flight simulator tests as the reason for his dismissal. Lawson claims that the assessor conducting the tests was overly aggressive towards him because of the Hong Kong flight rumors and the subsequent stance of the airline.

22

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫تابع‬

Captain Lawson is also suing for disability discrimination claiming that he was mentally unwell at the time of the tests due to anxiety and stress.

A new judge is now looking at the case The disability claim was thrown out of court last January by an employment tribunal but was reinstated by Judge Matthew Gullick after having read the details of the lawsuit.

While reporting on the proceedings, the Daily Mail newspaper quotes Judge Gullick in saying:

―Mr. Lawson decided to continue the flight instead of landing en route and landed the plane safely in Hong Kong,‖ said the judge. ―Such rumors were not true, but his colleagues were reluctant to work with him.‖ Virgin Atlantic looked into the events during the flight, and Mr. Lawson says he started suffering from anxiety and stress shortly thereafter, the judge said.

Captain Lawson was ―blocked‖ by flight duties between October and November of 2015, but ―was not told that he

had done something wrong and was not subject to restrictions.‖

23

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬

‫تابع‬

Captain Lawson felt ostracized However, his employer never published a report on their investigation, leaving him distraught by anxiety because ―he felt he could not defend himself from the rumors.‖ The judge went on to say the following:

―He says he feels stressed and anxious when he learned of the rumors that were often raised, especially at a meeting on October 13, 2015, when he was asked if he had winked while the FO [flight officers] were off the flight deck.‖ ―It describes the feeling of being ostracized by his colleagues and becoming increasingly isolated, feeling that his colleagues were avoiding talking to him, fearing any association with him…He felt that in conversations with his flight crew he was criticized, which made him doubt that he was making the right decisions. He said he feared going to work knowing that his Hong Kong flight would be brought by colleagues.‖ Captain Lawson is now working for another airline and is waiting to hear when the case will be returned to the labor court.

24

‫االدارة العامة للعالقات العامة والمراسم‬ ‫قطاع االمانة العامة بالشركة القابضة لمصر للطٌران‬