Airports, airlines to lose nearly Dh2 trillion globally in 2020

Dubai - Safely reopening borders without quarantine by using a coordinated approach to testing is required, aviation bodies suggested.

The Airports Council International (ACI) World and the International Air Transport Association (Iata) on Tuesday reiterated a call to drop quarantine for travellers and rather use testing as a means to safely re-open borders as airports and airlines are projected to lose nearly Dh2 trillion in revenue this year due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Data from ACI World and Iata showed that airports and airlines will lose $104.5 billion and $419 billion, respectively, totalling $523.5 billion (Dh1.921 trillion) in 2020.

"Safely reopening borders without quarantine by using a coordinated approach to testing would boost the entire economy and be a revenue lifeline for airlines and airports," the two aviation bodies said on Tuesday.

"ACI and Iata are aligned in calling for urgent government action to introduce widespread and coordinated testing of passengers to enable quarantine requirements to be removed. Without this action, it is not an exaggeration that the industry is facing collapse," Luis Felipe de Oliveira, director-general of ACI World, said during a virtual press conference on Tuesday.

"We need action quickly. Large parts of the global air network have been severely ruptured for well over a half year. Job losses - inside and outside the industry - mount with each day that borders are closed. And with each job lost the recovery and impact on the broader economy becomes even more difficult. Momentum is building in support of testing to re-open borders," Alexandre de Juniac, director-general and CEO of Iata, said during the conference.

waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com