‘Aviation industry could return to normality in 2021’
Travel Biz News —
Aviation industry experts opine that the industry could return to some kind of normality during the course of 2021.
Aviation industry veteran Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, outlined the impact of COVID-19 on the aviation industry, and the measures implemented by the company in response to the pandemic during the opening session of Arabian Travel Market’s inaugural virtual event, ATM Virtual today in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Speaking during an interview with aviation expert John Strickland, Director of JLS Consulting, Sir Tim, said: “ In general terms, we have seen a US$15 trillion torpedo hit the global economy and its crippled many, many sectors, with transportation and leisure just a few of the casualties.”
“My own belief is there is sufficient resilience in the global economy to take this trauma as long as it doesn’t go on for too long. If we can accept there is a finite point where we will see the back of this, with adjustments to the way we go about our lives, the way we go about our business, and our travel aspirations, we will see things moving back to some kind of normality during the course of 2021,” he added.
“The aviation business is in a critical and very fragile state at the moment and needs all the help it can get. Access, getting passengers and freight moving again, not necessarily to the levels pre-COVID, but at least getting things going to give the cash lifelines they need, otherwise I’m not optimistic that some of the carriers here today, having already been significantly bailed out, will get through the next few months”, he concluded by outlining the important role that governments play around the world.
CEO of Wizz Air, Joszef Varadi is set to discuss the measures implemented by the budget airline which has enabled it to continue operating during the pandemic on June 3 .
The webinar will be led by Cirium’s Paul Trewin and Seera Group’s Data Vice President, Louise Blake.
ATM Virtual features a range of comprehensive webinars, live conference sessions, roundtables, speed networking events, and one-to-one meetings.
June 1 , 2020
Image: Emirates plane at Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Middle East’s biggest carrier, Emirates, declared recently, higher profits of $288 million over the past year even as revenue declined due to flight suspensions sparked by the coronavirus, offering a glimpse of the financial toll now facing airlines around the world. (AP Photo/Adam Schreck)
