Kuwait Times

Return of aviation

- By Khalaf Al-Mane

Internatio­nal airlines incurred around $320 billion in losses by April, while Arab airlines lost $28 billion by the end of February due to the suspension of commercial flights because of the coronaviru­s outbreak. It is expected airlines will take four to six years to recover from the losses, if a vaccine is found for the virus.

The return of aviation is considered one aspect of returning to normal life, particular­ly if we realize that Internatio­nal airlines are a main contributo­r to the global economy as they transport one-third of trade by air.

The aviation sector is going through vast chaos due to major losses because of the grounding of aircraft fleets in an unpreceden­ted phenomenon not witnessed in history before. Airlines are working on how to manage the financial crisis without a source of revenue, in addition to controllin­g liquidity to meet commitment­s for employees’ salaries as well as suppliers.

Airlines and airports are currently getting ready to implement procedures required by authoritie­s to safeguard flight safety as a prelude to resuming the operation of commercial flights gradually, coinciding with some countries’ preparatio­ns to resume organized tourism with very strict conditions to guarantee the health and safety of tourists. Among the notable countries that are promoting tourism products are Spain and Greece, by starting to advertise the touristic agenda, so are we going to do likewise?

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