The Airports Council International (ACI) World’s fourth COVID-19 economic impact analysis indicates the industry anticipates a 59.6 percent reduction in passenger volumes this year.
Additionally, the report revealed a 58.4 percent reduction in passengers as compared to 2019, equaling a decrease in passengers of 5.6 billion for the year.
“Airports are key drivers of economic development but, without any support from governments and with $104 billion in losses because of the devastating impact of the pandemic on aviation, it is now the time to come together to support recovery,” ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said. “Aviation will be central to the global economic recovery, delivering connectivity, trade, tourism, jobs, prosperity, and growth.”
Per ACI, the industry is anticipating a 60 percent reduction in revenues as compared to the projected baseline, indicating revenues declined by $10.3 and $39.5 billion in the first and second quarters of this year, respectively, compared to the projected baseline.
“The recovery of air travel is crucial in the wider global economic recovery, but, to succeed, it will need passengers to have confidence in the industry’s focus on their health and welfare,” de Oliveira said.
ACI officials said the organization is encouraging governments to follow a consistent protocol for COVID-19 testing implemented only when necessary and as an alternative to what ACI has classified as broad-brush quarantine requirements.