The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak across the globe has been quick and may continue to grow, according to the Airports Council International World.
Statistics for January’s global passenger traffic grew by just 1.9 percent in 2020, down from 4.9 percent growth for the same period in 2019.
But in the Asia-Pacific region, traffic was down by 1.8 percent due to a significant shift in domestic traffic. Freight traffic was down 4.4 percent compared to the same time the year before. The group said disruptions in the supply chain and shock to the global economy will likely cause an even greater decline.
In particular, domestic passenger traffic was down by 3.6 percent in the Asia-Pacific region and down 1.5 percent in Europe. In America, however, domestic traffic was up 4.8 percent over the same time last year.
Freight traffic showed similar results – Asia-Pacific traffic shifted downward 9.3 percent and North America shifted downward 2.4 percent. Those two markets represent the vast majority of the global domestic freight market.
“These figures show that the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on aviation was rapid, especially in the Asia-Pacific region,” ACI World Director General Angela Gittens said. “The aviation industry is facing unprecedented upheaval due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the situation calls for an exceptional policy response to ensure the continuity and sustainability of airport operations.
The group called for governments around the world to work together with the global airline industry to ensure to find solutions.
“The financial cost to the global industry in 2020 is rapidly growing. This is a fast-moving and ever-changing crisis, and governments must act decisively and quickly,” Gittens said. “ACI World urges the aviation industry and Governments to come together to ensure the impact is borne equitably and solutions are fair and reasonable so as to provide the greatest impetus for a swift and balanced recovery.”