Across the globe, airlines are grounding their international fleets, restricting domestic routes, and bracing for the worst crisis ever in the aviation industry, due to the coronavirus.
Two weeks ago, it would have sounded heretical.
Across the globe, airlines are grounding their international fleets, restricting domestic routes, and bracing for the worst crisis ever in the aviation industry, due to the coronavirus.
“Most of the 800 or so airlines in the world are going to fold if they have no income for three or four months,” said Peter Harbison, the chairman of the Centre for Asia-Pacific Aviation, a consulting firm based in Australia.
“It’s a no brainer.”
Air Canada is suspending all but six of its international routes, down from 101, by the end of the month, and shaving 40 of its 53 routes to the U.S.
“The restrictions on travel imposed by governments worldwide, while understandable, are nonetheless having a cataclysmic effect upon the global airline industry,” said Calin Rovinescu, Air Canada’s president and chief executive.
Germany’s Lufthansa, a member of Star Alliance which includes partner Air Canada, is suspending 90 per cent of its flights.
“The longer this crisis lasts, the more likely it is that the future of aviation cannot be guaranteed without state aid,” said chief executive Carsten Spohr.
WestJet will end all internat