Qatar flights resume so Scots can return home
Qatar Airways has resumed Edinburgh-doha flights to get people home in stark contrast to many airlines which have made dramatic cutbacks.
The move came as Ryanair said it would fly only to Dublin from Scotland from Friday compared to 83 summer routes it normally operates.
The Irish capital will continue to be served from Edinburgh and Glasgow but all flights from Aberdeen and Prestwick will be halted.
The near lockdown ordered by the Scottish Government has further reduced travel, with the Glasgow Subway reporting 95 per cent fewer passengers than usual.
Calmac’s call centre was overwhelmed after ferry travel to the islands was banned other than by residents and those on essential business,
Its skeleton staff were swamped with some 5,000 calls yesterday – more than five times the normal 800.
Operators of the Jacobite steam train on the Fort William-mallaig line made famous by the Harry Potter films have postponed the launch of the service until at least May.
Qatar Airways had temporarily suspended Edinburgh flights because of expected falling demand. Four a week will now be operated at least until passenger numbers drop again.
The move will be welcomed by Scots trying to return because Emirates has grounded all international flights to its Dubai hub, including from Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Qatar said its flights were nearly full but passengers were more concerned about getting back than social distancing.
The airline said it was currently operating some 150 flights a day between 70 cities – around a third of its normal network. It expects to carry 100,000 passengers this week and more next week.
Chief commercial officer Simon Talling-smith said: “There is a strong desire from people right around the world to get home.
“It’s a very human need to be at home at a time of crisis.
“We are doing the best we can to help these people.”
Returning passengers to the UK include from destinations Bali and Thailand.
However, the Edinburgh flights have also enabled people to return home from Scotland, including a group from the Philippines.
Mr Talling-smith said flights were too full to keep people apart, but aircraft were being thoroughly cleaned.
Passengers and crew were temperature tested before boarding and anyone with symptoms of the virus was barred from flying.
Mr Talling-smith said a “tiny” number of staff had tested positive for Covid-19
He said: “It’s a matter of getting as many people back as quickly as we can.”
He said Qatar planned to keep part of its network operating because there would always be people needing to travel for family or work reasons.
But not all routes, such as Edinburgh, would be retained during the pandemic if demand dropped.