Gumbo has reported on the major expansion of the Mideast Airlines – Emirates Airline of Dubai , Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi. Those three airlines now send nearly 120 large, new planes weekly to a growing number of American cities. They offer U.S. flights to cities around the world via connections hubs in the Middle East.
https://www.travelgumbo.com/blo…ng-international-hub
https://www.travelgumbo.com/blo…illion-in-new-planes
http://online.wsj.com/news/art…04579141732219208604
With the CDC and airports around the world issuing some cautions about Mers to travelers, especially to travelers to or from the Arabian Peninsula, will passengers still use those those airlines or hubs until more is known ?And even if transmission from a flight is not a risk, will the airlines be able convince people this travel season?
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, is a respiratory illness that begins with a fever and cough. It can lead to shortness of breath and pneumonia and so far has caused death in 30% of cases. MERS-CoV has spread between people who are in close contact or from infected patients to healthcare workers.
http://www.cdc.gov/CORONAVIRUS/MERS/INDEX.HTML
Countries in the Arabian Peninsula with cases:
Saudi Arabia,United Arab Emirates (UAE)Qatar,Oman,Jordan,Kuwait,Yemen,Lebanon
I think because planes are a confined space ,people might be worried ,especially because some airports are taking certain actions. It makes sense that the air is not a problem, but touching things and then touching your face is easy to do on a long flight . I know I inadvertently touch my face while sleeping. Good advice the Doctor gave about using hand sanitizer in public places anyhow. I try to use that on planes,buses,libraries etc.
The MERS is more of a perceived than a real threat.
Conde Nast had a good post on this link.