The loss of airlines worldwide due to the outbreak of the corona pandemic is about $ 201 milliard. IATA CEO Willie Walsh reported this on Monday during the annual meeting of the trade association. The good news: the lowest point of the crisis is behind us.

In 2020, airlines worldwide ended up $ 138 milliard in the red, this year the loss is expected to be $ 52 milliard. Next year, the loss will still amount to 12 milliard dollars, in 2023 IATA is counting on a profit for the first time since 2019.

Passenger demand (calculated in the number of passenger kilometers flown) will end in 2021 at forty percent of the level of 2019. That will grow to 61 percent next year. The number of air passengers is expected to be around
2.3 milliard this year and 3.4 milliard in 2023. By comparison, in 2019 there were still 4.5 milliard.

Walsh is urging governments to speed up border reopening to allow international air traffic to recover. In addition, vaccinated and negatively tested travelers must be able to travel without hindrance. IATA cites the European digital corona passport as an example for the rest of the world. "Measures should only remain in effect for as long as necessary, and not a day longer," said the former IAG chief.

Alexandre de Juniac's successor, who took office earlier this year, has lashed out at air traffic control organizations and airports that have announced raising rates due to lost revenue during the corona crisis. He cited Schiphol Airport - which would like to increase airport charges by 40% over a period of three years - and Heathrow Airport, which has proposed an increase of 90% for next year.

"We all want to put COVID-19 behind us, but to shift the financial burden of a crisis of apocalyptic proportions onto your customers ... just because you can ... is a commercial strategy that only a monopolist can dream of," said Walsh.

--- DB4 - Sep 03 2021
* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)