The International Air Transport Association has released new analysis showing that some 25 million jobs are at risk of disappearing with plummeting demand for air travel amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Globally, the livelihoods of some 65.5 million people are dependent on the aviation industry, including sectors such as travel and tourism. Among these are 2.7 million airlines jobs. In a scenario of severe travel restrictions lasting for three months, IATA research calculates that 25 million jobs in aviation and related sectors are endangered across the world:
- 11.2 million jobs in Asia-Pacific
- 5.6 million jobs in Europe
- 2.9 million jobs in Latin America
- 2.0 million jobs in North America
- 2.0 million jobs in Africa
- 0.9 million jobs in the Middle East
In the same scenario, airlines are expected to see full-year passenger revenues fall by US$252 billion (-44%) in 2020 compared to 2019. The second quarter is the most critical with demand falling 70% at its worst point, and airlines burning through US$61 billion in cash.