BRITISH Airways (BA) should emulate other international airlines by easing restrictions as opposed to cutting back on travel routes.
“Take for example, Saudi Arabia. Realising the importance of the tourism industry, the nation has relaxed travel restrictions,” Tourism Agencies Association of Malaysia (MATA) president Datuk Mohd Khalid Harun told FocusM.
“Besides, many nations have started inoculating its citizens with vaccines so there is nothing much to worry for now.”
The British air carrier plans to permanently cancel services on more than 15 long-haul routes in destinations such as Pittsburgh and Charleston (in the US) as well as Calgary-Canada, Seoul-South Korea, Durban-South Africa, Dammam-Saudi Arabia, Lima-Peru, Osaka-Japan, Kuala Lumpur-Malaysia, Abu Dhabi-the UAE and Muscat-Oman.
The services will be halted after March 28.
On that note, Khalid said BA should remember that the tourism industry is a major component of a nation’s economic growth, thus re-opening the routes is one way to rejuvenate the British economy.
“Of course, BA can be selective on the scale of its departure and arrival depending on its capacity and demand,” he opined.
Khalid added BA can also categorise travellers based on certain specifications in order to limit in and out travels to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Perhaps, they can prioritise certain segments of travellers such as investors. With that, you can help speed up the momentum of economic recovery, especially in the tourism sector,” he suggested.
On that note, Khalid also reminded travellers to adhere to regulations and standard operating procedures (SOP) strictly to avoid any unnecessary problems.
“We must raise awareness of the public on this matter to ensure compliance. If they don’t take care of themselves, they are just being zalim (cruel) to themselves,” Khalid remarked.
Yesterday, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong himself expressed concerns over BA’s impending cancellation of its London-KL routes in March following the UK flagship carrier’s restructuring programme in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a meeting with the British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay during a courtesy call at his office, Wee had told Hay to re-connsider BA’s decision.
“We urged for the carrier to reconsider this decision as the London-KL sector is one of Malaysia’s most important routes with BA being the second most preferred carrier to the UK after Malaysia Airlines.
“The route is also among its best performing routes given our long-established mutual cooperation on trade, education and investment.
“Hay have said that he would relay these concerns to his side for consideration. Our civil aviation authorities will also continue to deepen their cooperation on training and sharing of knowledge in the aviation sector,” the Ayer Hitam MP highlighted on his Facebook posting. – Jan 7, 2021.
