'Systemic collapse' looms in aviation; Gulf carriers, airports 'at risk' | ZAWYA MENA Edition

'Systemic collapse' looms in aviation; Gulf carriers, airports 'at risk' | ZAWYA MENA Edition:

The aviation industry could face a “systemic collapse” without direct monetary support and coordinated COVID-19 testing regime in place, and the Middle East market is among those that are financially at risk, officials said.

Carriers around the world continue to burn through cash due to the “rupture in global air connectivity that’s threatening to wipe out some 4.8 million aviation jobs and a further 41.2 million across the travel and tourism sector, according to Alexandre de Juniac, CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).



“The COVID-19 pandemic continues to devastate the aviation industry. International traffic has all but disappeared – we are carrying only about 10 percent of normal levels,” de Juniac said during a press briefing.

The industry has already seen massive job losses following the collapse of air travel during the global lockdown in March. Airlines in the Gulf, home to some of the world’s so-called “super connectors” are among those badly hit.