Event Recap: From Grounded to Take-Off: A Discussion on Domestic and International Aviation Recovery
Transportation patterns around the globe have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Long-distance passenger travel has shrunk immensely, and few industries have been turned on its head like the aviation sector.
In our annual partnership with Women Transportation Seminar’s DC chapter and Transportation Research Forum, we hosted a panel of aviation experts joined us for a virtual discussion on the impact the pandemic has had on the industry and the post-COVID future of aviation. The panel included Director of the Asia Pacific Region of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Carey Fagan, Chief of Aviation Medicine for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Dr. Ansa Jordaan, and SVP of Government and Political Affairs for Airports Council International - North America Annie Russo. The panel was moderated by Regional Vice President of the Americas, International Air Transport Association (IATA) Peter Cerda.
Some of the key takeaways included:
The pandemic has put a serious dent on industry growth. It is estimated that it could take up to 5 years for the aviation industry to reach pre-COVID levels.
Evidence for on-board transmission is very low, with very few confirmed cases in thousands of flights. However risk is not zero and precautions need to be taken.
There are economic difficulties of a safe and sustainable recovery. Eliminating middle seats has been debated, but would reduce the fare-paying capacity of aircraft by a third, which is not economically viable for airlines.
Ultimately, the pathway to recovery will be built on rebuilding the reputation of the industry and earning back the trust of the traveling public. Passengers need to see that airlines take their health and safety seriously.