17
August 2020
Message
from the WACA President, Maga Ramasamy
Industry
Update
It
is a fact that COVID-19 is still around and affecting our industry to a very
large extent. IATA is following the situation very closely and advising
airlines based on various studies it is carrying out. We can only hope that a
vaccine will be made available very soon where the concerns of both governments
and travellers can be addressed leading the way a resumption of air travel. In
the meantime, we are witnessing furloughs, retirements including early
retirement, retrenchments, layoffs , etc. of airline employees coupled with the
closure of certain airline companies or reduction in work activities. It is a
sad moment for the industry in general which we can only hope will pick up in
the very near future and we can travel and participate once again in WACA’s
international activities. Allow me to
say a big thank you to all those who have given their best to keep the industry
afloat in the past years.
Retirement
I
wish to inform you that I, personally, having spent more than 40 years in
aviation have accepted to take an early retirement package from Air Mauritius.
I will, however, be volunteering my time with Air Mauritius the national
carrier following certain social and environmental projects together with the
Association Airline Ambassadors and the Paille-en-Queue Social Club of Air
Mauritius. I am most grateful to Air Mauritius for providing all the logistical
support in this voluntary endeavor exercise.
Clean
Up Volunteer
Following
the grounding of the MV Wakashio in the lagoon of Pointe d’Esny, and the
subsequent oil spill, I found myself for the past two weeks involved in
supporting the non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Mauritius Wildlife
Foundation and other volunteers preparing for the cleanup of the lagoon and
mangroves in the wetlands. The location of the oil spill will be very familiar
to many interliners who have visited Mauritius and it is where we acted as
facilitators to save the endemic reptiles transferring them from the small
island so they would not be exposed to the effects of the oil spill. Slowly
things are getting back to normal and an impact assessment is being carried for
corrective measures. Volunteers from the two WACA Clubs (the Paille-en-Queue
Social Club of Air Mauritius and the Indian Ocean Islands interline Club) are
collaborating with the Association Airline Ambassadors for any sustainable
actions that will be deemed necessary. I would like to thank all interliners
that expressed their concerns to this unprecedented disaster in the idyllic
lagoon of Mauritius.
I
wish you all and your loved ones well.
Office
Restrictions Update
As
previously advised, I am now allowed to return to the office on a limited
number of days per month in compliance with the province of Quebec rules that
set a limit on the number of staff a company is allowed to work in their
offices at any given time. It is unknown how long these restrictions will
continue in force so I continue to also work from home as required between my
restricted office visits,
The 2020 Interline Festival
WACA
President, Maga Ramasamy, is still hopeful that we can meet together as
planned in late October or early November for a 2020
Interline Festival in an easily accessible European city. It is expected that a
final decision will be taken very shortly. If it will not be possible to hold the Festival
due to government restrictions on travel and public
gatherings, then maybe
a grand virtual meeting can be arranged for interliners pending WACA’s
activities commencing again in 2021.
Events
Calendar
Update
Most
regrettably the number of people infected with the COVID-19 virus is increasing
again in many places in Europe and we are far from anticipating a short-term
normalisation is the message from the Interline Club of Portugal. For this
reason the Club has decided to cancel the Grande Festa which was scheduled to
be held in October this year and plans to organise it again in the same place
and the same location next year.
Grand
Venture Bonanza
And
the Winners is ...
The second draw of 2020 for a USD
100.00 cash prize graciously donated by the Vancouver
Interline Club was made today in the WACA office by myself due to the social
distancing restrictions that are currently in place. There were 269 tickets in
the draw and the lucky winner is Dwight Rose from the Airlines Club
Bahamas with ticket number 0833. Congratulations.
Next
Draw
The
remaining 269 tickets will now be included in the next draw scheduled to be
held in September for a package for one based
on double occupancy to attend the 2020 Interline Festival should it be held or
a USD 100.00 cash prize donated
by WACA.
KEEP WELL. STAY SAFE.
Yours in interlining,
Keith Miller
WACA Administration Manager
World Airlines Clubs Association
Tel.: +1 438-258-3243
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.waca.org