FOREWORD
These past many months so many have had to re-evaluate their lives and livelihood, to make sense of both time and its passage, to construct a different normal. It appeared an improbable feat.
In its Wednesday, 19th May 2021 updated forecast, the International Air Transport Association, IATA, representing 82% of global air traffic, lowered traffic projections for 2021 from 51% to 43% and forecasts global airline losses this year at US$48 billion. With global traffic declining by 65.9% last year, losses hover at US$126.4 billion. According to IATA’s Secretary General, Willie Walsh, the crisis “is much deeper and has extended longer than anybody expected.” The return of industry break-even is anticipated in 2022 but realistically hinges on the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations, governments focus on containing the spread across borders, and global economic recovery.
Congratulations are shared with Mr. Nigel Carter who has been appointed Belize’s new Director of Civil Aviation. Our pledge of partnership for attaining even higher successes is publicly renewed.
After the killing of George Floyd galvanized global protests against racial injustice, and mindful of the urgency to repair healthcare and global trade systems, address climate change, gender equality and human rights abuses, we are emboldened by efforts and actions to unite communities in combating violence and oppression. The degree and scale of resistance to institutionalized systemic injustice depends on the willingness and complicity of citizens and leaders. Indeed, Ibram X Kendi writes, “A renaissance does not emerge on its own.” A just society requires more than the measurement of national output and the protection of social hierarchy.
With travel restrictions slowly easing and the economic outlook improving, air travelers are responding positively. Airport life is once again visible at the P.G.I.A. as the flying public returns with increased and thus better volumes. Projections correlated to actual out-turns portend more promising days ahead.
The future achievements of our well-managed Company will be incontrovertibly impacted from the sudden deaths of two amazing co-workers: Pre-Board Staff, Mrs. Shamika Gillett and Janitorial Engineer, Ms. Victorina Alvarez. Their high aspirations and ambitions, mischievous smile and fine mind, and uncommon dependability will be missed. This issue is dedicated in memory of two incredible Belizean ladies.
In acknowledging the asset side of the P.G.I.A. ledger, our immeasurable gratitude is shared with security officer, Mr. Karl Smith, for identifying and confiscating an illegal firearm from a passenger who sought to board an international flight last month. Watchful eyes for the safety of all are maintained as best we can!
Stakeholders across Belize are thankful for the resumption of services by COPA AIRLINES from Panama on Wednesday, 2nd June 2021, and eagerly anticipate the 5th largest airline in the U.S.A., ALASKA AIRLINES, for non-stop services from Los Angeles and Seattle on Friday, 19th November 2021.
Thanks to all who contributed to Belize earning the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Safe Travels Stamp.
With friendship,
Jorge L. Espat
B.A.C.C.
Passengers of 72 NATIONALITIES flew from PGIA in APRIL, 2021
American
Andorran
Argentinean
Australian
Austrian
Bahamian
Barbadian
Belarusian
Belgian
Belizean
Brazilian
British
Canadian
Chilean
Chinese
Colombian
Costa Rican
Cuban
Czech
Danish
Dominican
Dutch
Ethiopian
Filipino
French
German
Ghanaian
Greek
Guatemalan
Guyanese
Honduran
Icelander
Indian
Irish
Israeli
Italian
Jamaican
Japanese
Jordanian
Kazakhstani
Kenyah
Latvian
Lebanese
Luxembourger
Malagasy
Mexican
Netherlander
New Zealander
Nicaraguan
Nigerian
Norwegian
Panamanian
Peruvian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Salvodoran
Singaporean
South African
South Korean
Spanish
Swedish
Swiss
Taiwanese
Trinidadian
Turkish
Ukrainian
Uruguayan
Venezuelan
Zimbabwean
2021 Airline Quality Ranking
The Airline Quality Rating 2021 is a summary of month-by-month quality ratings for U.S. airlines that are required to report performance aspects important to air travel consumers in areas of on-time arrivals, involuntary denied boarding, mishandled baggage, and a combination of 12 customer complaint categories.
The sudden decline in passenger traffic due to canceled flights amid COVID-19 gave rise to a huge increase in customer complaints for the airline industry.
Below is the current report, the Airline Quality Rating 2021, reflecting monthly Airline Quality Rating scores for the US’ largest 10 carriers in calendar year 2020:
- Southwest Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- Delta Air lines
- Alaska Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- JetBlue
- American Airlines
- United Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Frontier
FAA seeks fines against more misbehaving airline passengers
The Associated Press reports that the Federal Aviation Administration said it is continuing to take a zero-tolerance stance against unruly passengers.
The Federal Aviation Administration says it has received 1,300 complaints from airlines about disruptive passengers this year and has announced proposed civil penalties — some topping $30,000 — against more than a dozen passengers in recent weeks. The passengers can protest the penalties.
Under its zero-tolerance policy announced in January, the FAA says it no longer warns or counsels unruly passengers, it jumps straight to enforcement action. The FAA has power to levy civil penalties but is letting law enforcement decide whether to seek criminal charges against passengers.
REFLECTIONS
“Belize offers an unbeatable mix of sensational beaches, iconic cayes and rich heritage…Our guests are eager for eco-friendlier leisure destinations, especially as they get vaccinated, and we’re ready to offer them terrific options,”
Brett Catlin, Alaska Airlines V.P.
“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences,”.
Audre Lorde
“In a racist society it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti-racist.”
Angela Y. Davis
‘“No” is a complete sentence.’
Amada Gorman
“The beauty of love is that in giving it away, you are left with more than you had before.”
David Simon
Simon
“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.”
– Babe Ruth
3 TIPS FOR MAKING A MID-CAREER CHANGE
Executive career coach Meghan H. Sharron offers rich advice in making mid-career transition:
CLARIFY YOUR VALUES
Before jumping into a job search, ask yourself how you work best, “Do I thrive with more structure or more autonomy? Do I enjoy a more traditional or more creative environment? When your values are aligned, tap into your full potential.”
Being able to speak confidently to your own strengths and values can also give you an edge when interviewing.
“When you look at the list of values against the experience you’re having…and those values are not present in your experience, that is going to tell you a lot,” said Meghan.
CRAFT YOUR STORY
Meghan says the next step is learning to tell your professional story in a way that shows why you’re a good fit for a new position.
For many people, their role becomes “so foundational in how they relate to themselves. But she recommends moving beyond that to start relating to yourself “in terms of your value and your abilities, versus your title in your organization.”
Networking can help you find ways to highlight skills and experiences you may have overlooked. “Getting your story out to others helps you to see more of what’s in your blind spot.”
BE CURIOUS
By mid-career, people tend to be set in their beliefs in what is and isn’t possible, says Meghan.
“We disqualify so much opportunity, because we’re just using our own lens. When you shift from probability to possibility, what would you want to do?”
Being curious can also help you take a step back and learn new skills, particularly if you’ve been forced into a career change and feel stuck.
“A lot of fear comes from thinking, ‘How does it have to go?” Instead, imagine “how can it go?” “’It’s gonna be hard.’” That shift in thinking can open the way to a new, fulfilling career.”
Attentive Flight Crews, Flexible Fares and Charges during Pandemic Drive Record High Customer Satisfaction with North America Airlines, J.D. Power Finds
“The airline industry adapted to a most unusual year by simplifying ticketing processes, waiving change and baggage fees which were key to persuading people to fly during the pandemic said Michael Taylor, travelling intelligence lead at J.D. Power.
