Airlines cut global traffic forecast
Global airlines body predicts industry losses of $47.7 billion in 2021
Reuters
April 22, 2021
PARIS:
Air traffic will recover more slowly than previously expected from the Covid-19 pandemic, as vaccination delays and government “risk aversion” slows the reopening of routes, global airlines body IATA said on Wednesday.
Global traffic this year will amount to 43% of pre-crisis levels based on passenger numbers and distance flown, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said, below 51% it had forecast late last year. IATA also predicted industry losses of $47.7 billion in 2021. While that represents an improvement on last year’s $126.4 billion deficit, the organisation warned that airlines would continue to need government wage support.