IATA clarifies status of aviation in October 2020 labeling it disastrous

CAIRO – 15 December 2020: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicated - in a report - that demand on international aviation declined in October 2020 by 87.8 percent compared to October 2019.

However, the decline is slightly less than that of September hitting 88 percent on yoy basis. The operation capacity and weight carried fell by 76.9 percent and 42.9 percent, respectively.

On the other hand, domestic aviation has relatively improved as it declined by 40.8 percent in October 2020 up from 43 percent in October 2019. The decrease in operation capacity and weight carried recorded 29.7 percent and 70.4 percent, respectively.

The fall is attributed to the outbreak of the second wave of COVID-19, and the lockdown enforced in a number of countries making October "another disastrous month."

There are projections that airways may lose $118.5 billion in 2020 or $66 for each passenger transported. If certain countries end the lockdown by mid-2021, losses are estimated at $38.7 billion in that year.

The sector has been able to survive as governments granted airways subsidies worth $173 billion, and will need more support until Summer 2021. It is noted that aviation contributes $3.5 trillion in the world's GDP.   

The airways of Asia and the Pacific experienced decline of demand of 95.6 percent on yoy basis in October. The operation capacity and weight carried fell by 88.5 percent and 30.3 percent, respectively.

The demand on European airways declined by 83 percent on yoy basis in October. That is worse than September when it hit 81.2 percent. The operation capacity and weight carried fell by 70.4 percent and 49.5 percent, respectively.

The demand on Middle Eastern airways decreased by 86.7 percent on yoy basis in October. It improved as the decline in September was 89.3 percent. The operation capacity and weight carried fell by 73.6 percent and 37 percent, respectively.

The demand on North American airways declined by 88.2 percent on yoy basis in 2020 achieving an improvement as the decrease hit 91 percent in September. The operation capacity and weight carried fell by 73.1 percent and 36.2 percent, respectively.

The demand on Latin American airways dipped by 86 percent on yoy basis in October. The decline in September was 92.3 percent. The operation capacity and weight carried fell by 80.3 percent and 57.7 percent, respectively.

The demand on African airways dipped by 78.6 percent on yoy basis in October making a big improvement as the figure in September was 84.9 percent.