COVID 19 has been a major challenge for air travel as the business class which is the most profitable sector has moved to virtual with Zoom and Webex and other platforms. For tourists, it did not make sense to fly, quarantine in a hotel for 14 days then travel, fly back and quarantine again. One needs a long time to be away and most tourists have a set time for holidays. The issue for the airlines how to make flying as safe as possible.

Rome’s Fiumicino airport will run COVID 19 tested flights between Italy and the US and will be the first airport in Europe to offer the service on transatlantic flights.

Accoring to an article in Reuters, the passengers can be tested for the virus 48 hours before departure and on arrival at the airport to avoid the mandatory 14 day quarantine Italy imposes on incoming travellers. This extra testing, hopefully it is the test that produces instant results allows the airport to open up and the airlines to begin to offer flights to other cities in Europe and around the world.

As we move towards the vaccines becoming available, in all likelihood to fly means someone has to be vaccinated and maybe tested for the next quarter.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, on one hand as a person you want to the economy to open up, on the other hand you do not want to many restrictions, the more restrictions, the less people are involved. Similarly when you buy a stock you want fewer companies involved or moats or near monopolies to ensure you receive a regular dividend. As a dividend stock buyer you see the difference but you enjoy receiving the dividend.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.