UPDATE 1-Middle East, Africa governments need to act faster to protect airlines - IATA - Reuters

UPDATE 1-Middle East, Africa governments need to act faster to protect airlines - IATA - Reuters:

Middle Eastern and African governments must act faster to protect their airlines, the International Air Transport Association said on Thursday, warning their losses from the coronavirus pandemic had risen to $23 billion.

Several states have stepped in to help their airlines that have seen demand decimated by the global outbreak, such as the United States, Singapore and Australia, though few in the Middle East and Africa have made their intentions clear.

“The whole industry is going through one of its darkest moments of history,” IATA Africa and Middle East Vice President Muhaammad Ali Albakri said in an online press briefing.

“This is why countries who realise the importance of this industry have stepped forward (and are) pumping billions to save those airlines. We’re hoping that countries in Africa and the Middle East follow suit.”