The Covid-19 pandemic could redefine global airlines' business models, leading to consolidation among the bigger players, a preference for narrow-body jets and accelerated efforts towards reducing the industry's carbon footprint.
Airlines will start to rely more on single-aisle planes that offer a more economic business case compared to wide-bodies, which is a concern because it has a "direct impact" on aircraft parts maker Strata, Badr Al Olama, executive director of Mubadala Aerospace told the Global Aerospace Summit.
"Airlines are probably going to fly single-aisles, fly older fleet longer and try to avoid making new capital expenditure, so we need to get to a point where we can introduce radical thinking and that needs us to re-invent the airline industry," Mr Al Olama said. "What we need to come up with is new business models that will support those large aircraft to play the role they were designed for."
The global pandemic has devastated the global aviation industry as it brought air travel to a near-halt earlier this year. A recovery in global long-haul air travel, on which wide-bodies are used, is unlikely to return to pre-coronanvirus levels before 2023, the International Air Transport Association said, noting it will be the last part of the industry to recover.
Mubdala Investment Company's aerospace portfolio – which includes manufacturing plane parts, components leasing and engine maintenance services – was "impacted severely" by the pandemic, the executive said.
"It's been devastating and the impact is not only on us but the entire eco-system," Mr Al Olama said.
Strata, which counts Boeing and Airbus among its customers, has seen more than 50 per cent of its revenue wiped out by the impact of the pandemic on the industry, he said. In July, Strata said it registered a 40 per cent decline in its order book for aircraft parts. The company began to diversify into the healthcare sector to produce N95 masks in a partnership with Honeywell.
The pandemic, similar to past crises such as the 9/11 attacks in the US, will bring about changes in security standards in the aviation industry, Tony Douglas, Etihad Airways group chief executive, said in a keynote address during the summit, which is being held online.
Global airlines need to adopt a "harmonised" standard for health measures to ensure that passengers are medically fit to fly as air travel resumes, he said.
"We believe that some form of wellness certification may well come into force," Mr Douglas said.
Iata is calling for Covid-19 testing before departure on international flights as an alternative to government-imposed travel restrictions such as quarantines, which the industry says is denting air travel demand.
Tests that are fast, highly accurate, affordable and easy to administer are expected to be available in October and should be adopted by governments as a globally-accepted standard, the industry body said last week.
Whiile you're here
Damien McElroy: Anti-science attitudes in America are proving lethal
Editorial: What makes the UAE such a good place to test vaccines?
Editorial: The fight against Covid-19 should be guided by science
Tomorrow 2021
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?
Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality
Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'
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The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?
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On Women's Day
Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action
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While you're here
Cheryl Thompson: Stop the practice of blackface that's as Canadian as hockey
Kareem Shaheen: Alghabra outshines the racists who malign him
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- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
On Women's Day
Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action
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More coverage from the Future Forum
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• UAE's monumental and risky Mars Mission to inspire future generations, says minister
• Could the UAE drive India's economy?
• News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it
• Architecture is over - here's cybertecture
• The National announces Future of News journalism competition
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative
The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
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Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
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5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000, 2,200m
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
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Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
• Remittance charges will be tackled by blockchain
• UAE's monumental and risky Mars Mission to inspire future generations, says minister
• Could the UAE drive India's economy?
• News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it
• Architecture is over - here's cybertecture
• The National announces Future of News journalism competition
• Round up: Experts share their visions of the world to come
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
The five pillars of Islam
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
