Business Traveler, July/August 2020

b u s i n e s s t r a v e l e r u s a c o m 8 J U LY A U G U S T 2 0 2 0 U P F R O N T Turkish Airlines Culture of Clean Takes Flight I n anticipation of opening up its skies to international flights Turkish Airlines has announced a new cleaning protocol that continues the airlines legacy as one of the most consumer focused carriers in the airline industry Just as the airline had pioneered the use of dedicated onboard chefs now in the post COVID 19 era Turkish Airlines will be adding onboard Hygiene Experts whose sole responsibility will be to make sure the crew and passengers all adhere to social distancing mask wearing and other health protocols The Hygiene Experts will first distribute masks disinfectants and antiseptic tissue to guests and then will monitor the cabin to make sure that passengers keep their masks on for the duration of their flight In a statement M Ilker Ayci Turkish Airlines chairman of the board and the executive committee said We are working hard on all contact points to ensure a healthy and safe travel experience for our passengers At Turkish Airlines we are providing significant services to our passengers with our enhanced guidelines for safe travel that are prepared in accordance with instructions of scientists We believe that our Hygiene Experts will help our passengers to feel more comfortable and relaxed about their travels The aircraft will be disinfected prior to every flight with state of the art cleaning methods All contact points in the aircraft will be thoroughly cleaned using chemicals safe for humans with special equipment and chemicals for different surfaces such as seats windows screens and bathrooms AA BA CEDE SOME US LONDON SLOTS American Airlines and British Airways are set to relinquish some of their slots at either Heathrow or Gatwick airports according to an announcement from the UKs Competition and Markets Authority The CMA said it identified potential competition concerns on routes between London and each of Boston Chicago Dallas Miami and Philadelphia Since 2018 CMA has investigated possible loss of competition from the Atlantic Joint Business Agreement between AA BA Iberia Finnair and Aer Lingus and its resulting impact on US UK fliers and routes In addition to releasing additional take off and landing slots at Heathrow or Gatwick airports on routes between London and Boston Dallas and Miami the proposed measures would also provide support for competing services on these routes as well as London to Chicago and London to Philadelphia routes One daily slot pair will be ceded on routes from London to Boston Dallas Miami and and possibly Philadelphia Given the current downturn however the Authority said the commitments allow for the CMA to review the AJBA if competitive conditions are different in the future for example when the sector is expected to have emerged from the pandemic Full details of the CMAs findings can be found at gov uk A love for cleanliness is a cultural trait of the Turkish people They are dedicated to its practice and like to share the great benefits of proper hygiene One of the great joys of shopping in Turkey is a trip to a hammam store bathhouse shop where you can buy the countrys famed olive oil soaps and super absorbent soft cotton towels for hand washing and bathing at home While it may not be possible during pre vaccine COVID 19 era trips to Turkey to actually bathe in a historic bathhouse yet visitors can find these sensual aids to hygiene available throughout the country and also online in the US Another cleaning ritual that has taken hold during COVID 19 in Turkey is the ritual of pouring a high alcohol kolonya or cologne over guests hands when they come to visit The cologne made in Turkey for this purpose is considered high enough in alcohol to kill the COVID 19 virus The government in Turkey has embraced this ancient ritual of cleanliness and has distributed bottles of kolonya around the country to help encourage hand washing and sanitation with a nod to the sense pleasing culture of clean that the Turks have embraced for centuries