According to the latest figures from the Airports Council International (ACI) World, the global airport industry is due to be hit by a loss of more than 4.6 billion passengers and $97 billion in revenue during 2020.
The forecasts of prolonged – and more widespread – impacts and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in worsening predictions for traffic and revenue losses for airports across all regions.
“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on airports, the wider aviation ecosystem, and the global economy continues to worsen and represents an existential threat to the industry unless governments can provide appropriate relief and assistance,” said ACI World Director General, Angela Gittens.
“As traffic and revenue have collapsed, the airport industry has taken all possible measures to preserve stability, but the challenge remains that a significant portion of airport costs are fixed,” she continued.
ACI World has applauded governments around the world that have stepped in to support both airport jobs and operations, but Gittens highlighted that more needs to be done in to ensure that operations can be scaled up to meet demand as the industry restarts.
Measures for airports that ACI World has called for include wage subsidy schemes, the protection of airport charges and revenues, urgent tax relief, waivers to airport rents and concession fees, the continuation of charges on air cargo operations to maintain essential airside and cargo facilities. The association is also calling for grants and subsidies, secured financing, loans at preferential rates, and bank guarantees to be made available.
Echoing ACI World’s statement, the UK Airport Operators Association’s (AOA’s) CEO, Karen Dee, underlined the need for a “strong, vibrant airline and airport sector that is able to compete domestically and internationally to deliver the routes and accessible air fares that passengers and businesses rely on.”
Dee has called on the UK Government to take a number of steps. “Airports need clear public health measures, based on medical advice, that ensure passenger safety and wellbeing while facilitating travel,” she said.
“In light of the expected long road to recover, continued financial support will be necessary to ensure that UK airports can facilitate the restart of the aviation industry,” she continued as she highlighted that the government needs to invest in the future success of the UK’s aviation industry or risk UK aviation falling behind its international competitors.
