{"id":8614,"date":"2020-05-17T22:49:39","date_gmt":"2020-05-17T17:19:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.digitalcreed.in\/?p=8614"},"modified":"2020-07-24T09:10:42","modified_gmt":"2020-07-24T03:40:42","slug":"covid-19-impact-on-aviation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.digitalcreed.in\/covid-19-impact-on-aviation\/","title":{"rendered":"Preventing a Second COVID-19 Wave via Aircrafts and Airports"},"content":{"rendered":"
In the past few months, we\u2019ve been \u2018enslaved\u2019 by an invisible enemy in the form of a virus. The COVID-19 coronavirus has shattered countries around the world and will leave a long-lasting impact on the economy as well. A fast-spreading viral infection that originated in China, it infected over 3.5 million people so far. Although most countries have put it under control, others are still fighting the enemy. Let us examine the impact of the pandemic on the world\u2019s airports, aircraft, airlines and country borders.<\/p>\n
Contributed by Naum Nikolovski<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n It all started just before the New Year in China. The outbreak started in the city of Wuhan and took around a month to get to Europe. China reacted immediately by closing its borders and managed to sustain the local spread of the virus a few months later. China\u2019s borders remain closed for tourists<\/a> and it\u2019ll take some time before the world can restart tourism and air travel.<\/p>\n One of the first measures implemented to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus was to close borders and airports. Although most airports stayed open for residents and nationals, foreign travellers were banned from entry in most countries around the world. For example, one of the busiest airstrips in the world, Heathrow airport, was open for UK residents<\/a> only in the past month and has only recently restarted somewhat normal operations. By \u2018normal\u2019 \u00a0we mean the \u2018new normal\u2019.<\/p>\n The new normal for aviation and air travel will be drastically different than before. Countries and governments around the world are taking different measures to prevent a second COVID-19 wave that could really destroy us. The first wave is still not over, but things are moving in a positive direction. International news outlets are saying that some countries have defeated the virus and the website borderdata.io<\/a> are reporting that many borders and airports are reopening.<\/p>\n We may have won the battle, but the war is far from over. Due to the heavy impact of COVID-19 on air travel and aviation in general, restarting the industry will be hard. Travel will not be the same ever again. Countries and governments are taking extra measures to protect passengers and rebuild trust. While we travelled easily in the past, the COVID-19 virus has forever changed air travel.<\/p>\n Until a few months ago, check-ins were allowed an hour or two earlier. It will be far different now. Check-ins will most likely be moved 3-4 hours earlier so airport staff can complete the necessary health checks, check-in, immigration, and security procedures.<\/p>\n Get used to traveling with masks in planes too. The latest news from aviation bodies is that masks (and possibly even gloves) will be mandatory for air travellers. Other measures such as temperature screenings will also be introduced, at least at some airports that have reopened.<\/p>\n DIGITAL CREED asked aviation expert Manoj Srivastava<\/strong>, Director \u2013 Aviation Technology, Lorhan IT about the future of the airline industry, and how airlines and airports are coping with the situation. READ STORY<\/a>.<\/p>\n COVID-19\u2019s impact on air travel and aviation has been, to put it mildly, catastrophic. Due to the global travel restrictions and slump in demand, many airlines have suffered greatly from a financial perspective. Empty planes and closed airports have had devastating effects on air travel, and the latest international news spells a gloomy outlook for years to come.<\/p>\n The effects of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic will be felt for years to come. Apart from the obligation to pay staff salaries amidst the pandemic, airlines were impacted by travel bans and not many airports are open today. The reduced schedule and no flight policies have been effective in containing the spread of the virus. But at the same time, they destroyed air travel.<\/p>\n On the brighter side of things, the latest news says that many companies have restarted operations or will restart them soon. Although the economic impact will be long-lasting, at least the aviation industry isn\u2019t on hold anymore.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Editor\u2019s note: Private Indian carriers have <\/em>resumed bookings<\/em><\/a> from May 16 and will resume flights for domestic air travel from June 1 onwards. In fact <\/em>Air India will resume<\/em><\/a> international flights from May 16.<\/em><\/p>\n The strict measures implemented by governments to stop the spread of the virus resulted in the layoff of thousands of employees. Air Canada<\/a>, for example, laid off over 5,000 workers temporarily due to closed airports and suspended flights. Many others followed suit and are hoping to now rehire the laid-off workers in a bid to restart normal operations.<\/p>\n The truth is that most companies and airports will not function like they did before. The impact of COVID-19 on Aviation is unprecedented. Air travel will continue to suffer due to new protective measures and the overall reduced flight demand. People aren\u2019t so sure about travelling anymore, especially in high-risk COVID-19 countries. With the tourist season not even close to being started, air travel will be reduced to essential flights only.<\/p>\n Most companies have announced such a strategy since restarting operations. Tourist flights are still far on the horizon, which will harm the industry even more.<\/p>\n What Measures Did Governments Introduce?<\/p>\nThe New Normal<\/h3>\n
\nRELATED STORY<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\nImpact of COVID-19 on Aviation<\/h3>\n
Impact of COVID-19 on Aviation<\/h3>\n