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THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that according to its latest data, 2020 was the worst year on record for the aviation sector. Citing Breakingtravelnews.com, through the annual publication of World Air Transport Statistics, they say that 1.8 million passengers flew in 2020.
This number decreased by 60% when compared to the 4.5 billion people who flew in 2019. Regarding worldwide air travel demand, measured in revenue passenger-kilometers (RPK), it decreased by 66% year-on-year (yoy). Total passenger revenue in the airline industry also fell 69% to US$189 billion in 2020 and the net loss was US$126 billion.
IATA added that air connectivity declined by more than half in 2020 with the number of routes connecting airports dropping drastically at the start of the crisis and falling by more than 60% yoy in April 2020.
They noted that the decline in air passengers carried in 2020 was the largest since the global RPK began to be tracked in the 1950s.
“Last year was a year we want to forget. However, analyzing the performance statistics for the year reveals an incredible story of persistence,” said IATA Director General Willie Walsh.
He continued, when the crisis was severe in April 2020, as many as 60% of the world’s transportation fleet suspended flights. Meanwhile, this was done because the government closed the border or imposed a strict quarantine.
“One million jobs lost and industry losses for the year totaled US$126 billion. Many governments recognize the important contribution of aviation, and provide financial channels and other forms of support,” explains Walsh.
Even so, he continued, there were swift actions taken by airlines and commitments from airlines that saw the airline industry go through the most difficult year in its history. Meanwhile, China became the largest domestic market in 2020 for the first time on record. This is because air travel is recovering more quickly following successful COVID-19 control efforts there. [antaranews/photo special]
