Air Canada CEO sees 'darkest period' in aviation history

 Cana's largest airline on Monday anunced a billion-dollar loss and anunced mandatory temperature checks for customers amid coronavirus pandemic.

“We're w living through darkest period ever in history of commercial aviation, significantly worse than 9/11, SARS and 2008 financial crisis,” CEO Calin Rovinescu said on a conference call with analysts Monday.

 

US-Cana border remains closed to all nessential travel.Since mid-March, airline has slashed its flight schedule by more than 90 per cent and grounded more than 200 aircraft, cutting service internationally to just five airports. company burned USD 22 million Canian (USD16 million) in cash per day in March.Air Cana said it lost USD 1.05 billion Canian (USUSD 748 million) in its first quarter, compared with a profit of USD 345 million in same quarter last year as governments imposed travel restrictions around world due to COVID-19 pandemic.

airline said remaining flights will be subject to an infrared temperature check at all airports. It alrey requires customers to wear face coverings. airline also said customer in ecomy class won't be required to sit immediately next to ar. Hand sanitizer will also be distributed.