Crew safety amid pandemic challenges cargo carriers

[caption id="attachment_15024" align="alignright" width="464"] One of four 737-800BCFs operated West Atlantic. Photo/Boeing[/caption] Sweden-headquartered West Atlantic Group is rethinking the process of crew transport, and preparing contingency plans to maintain its operational commitments during the COVID-19 outbreak. With increasing travel restrictions and dwindling passenger transport systems, crew transport and safety now loom among the most significant challenges to keeping the air cargo supply chain functioning amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Lars Jordahn, CEO of West Atlantic Cargo Airlines. “We need to protect our people, because if we lose our people, we've got nothing left,” Jordahn said. Although neither of the group’s two carriers have yet experienced cancellations or flight delays related to the virus, commercial flight cancellations are quickly complicating the process of ensuring crews arrive at an aircraft ahead of departure rested and ready to fly. During most previous crises, cargo carriers have been able to rely on commercial lift and trains to place crews at an aircraft ahead of departure. One of the many nuances of operating in this current environment is the unprecedented reduction in passenger flights. “This is probably the last week of any normality for commercial lift,” said Jordahn. Starting next week, most crews moving through Europe will need to fly jump seat on a freighter, or travel by alternative means if they need to commute. Assuming crews can get to the aircraft, cargo carriers must also navigate emerging travel restrictions and border controls in order to keep pilots rested and free from unnecessary quarantines. West Atlantic crews have been issued employment letters and now travel in uniform at all times to minimize complications at border checks. When traveling to a country in lockdown, such as Italy, crews have so far avoided mandatory self-isolation by remaining inside the cockpit upon landing, and resting at an alternative location. Moving forward, this could become more challenging if the pandemic intensifies in other countries, and as more regions impose such lockdowns. So far, governments have been swift to deem logistics essential, and grant exceptions to cargo crews. Flight crews have so far been able to avoid mandatory quarantines as long as exposure to the public is limited. IATA has been an ardent defender of air cargo, according to Jordahn and other industry sources. The organization has advocated for crew exemptions, and has assisted in convincing regulators to relax deadlines for routine processes, such as medical checks and simulator training. While social distancing at airports is easier now that crowds have subsided, and the risk of exposure to the virus is no longer as great, falling passenger numbers have led to hotel closures. “Keeping hotels open for our crews to rest once they are finished flying cargo is becoming extremely difficult,” said Jordahn. Most major airports do have hotels open, but airlines must also ensure they are hygienic and taking measures to minimize exposure to the virus. Despite implementing social distancing and operating with caution, West Atlantic is also imagining a scenario in which its crews are taken out for mandatory quarantine, or to avoid being overworked. “I see it as an obligation to try and predict the worst-case scenario, and am keeping every angle open — any opportunity to protect the supply chain for our customers, and in general,” Jordahn said. As airlines have borrowed passenger aircraft for use as freighters, one possible solution to crew shortages could include borrowing pilots from passenger airlines. While it’s still early days, and West Atlantic is not currently in a position to source temporary crew from elsewhere, it’s a scenario that surfaced in a “Sunday brainstorming session” and could play out should the need emerge, said Jordahn. For now, it’s too early to come up with any prognosis as to how long the pandemic will last or what the long-term impact on the industry may look like. “For now, our focus is to make sure that operational capability remains intact to the best of our ability and to protect our staff for as long as possible.” West Atlantic’s two carriers operate fleets comprised of turboprop and jet freighters across its two AOCs, based in in Sweden and the U.K. West Atlantic Sweden’s active fleet comprises three 767-200SFs, ten ATPFs and two CRJ200LRFs. The U.K.-based affiliate operates an all-737F fleet comprised of six 737-300Fs, twelve 737-400Fs and four 737-800BCFs . Eighteen additional ATPFs are in storage. Last year, a majority stake in West Atlantic was acquired by Spain-based LUSAT Air S.L. , the holding company that owns Aviation Leasing Spain, Cygnus Air and Swiftair. Cargo Facts Asia 2020 will be held on April 21-22, as a virtual event, continuing its keen focus on the Asia market. Although the event will look much different, the excellent content will remain the same, with the best and brightest minds addressing the most pressing industry issues for Asia Pacific -- including those around COVID-19. To register and for more information, visit www.cargofactsasia.com .

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