Airlines see grounds for optimism over long-haul rebound

Airlines see grounds for optimism over long-haul rebound

After 18 months of gloom over prospects for long-distance flights, airlines are finally striking a more optimistic tone about some of the world’s most lucrative travel markets. The partial reopening of key routes across the North Atlantic and vital transfer hubs in the Middle East is stirring predictions that inter-continental journeys are on their way back from the devastating slump caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Deutsche Lufthansa was the latest to predict a pickup alongside the loosening of Covid-19 curbs and a mounting vaccine take-up. The German flag carrier said on August 5 that North America could open from late summer, with Asia following at the end of the year. On a conference call following second-quarter results, chief executive officer Carsten Spohr said he’s encouraged by high levels of interest where travel is allowed. “While we are waiting for the transatlantic to reopen for Europeans, the US point of sale shows very high demand, leading the recovery of our long-haul business,” Spohr said. He cited visible acceleration in routes to Africa and Central and South America, as well as progress fighting the pandemic in Asia. “Our bilateral talks with governments are going well – even India is going well.” In