Iata has warned that the damage being done to the African aviation industry and to economies by the shutdown of air traffic, due to the pandemic, has deepened.
According to new data published today by the Air Transport Action Group, of which Iata is a member, 4,5m African jobs will be lost in aviation and industries supported by aviation in 2020. This is well over half of the region’s 7,7m aviation-related employment.
Furthermore, 172 000 jobs (40% of the region’s 440 000 aviation¹ jobs) will be lost in aviation alone in 2020.GDP supported by aviation in the region will fall by up to $37bn, which is 58% below pre COVID-19 levels.
“The breakdown in air connectivity in Africa has severe social and economic consequences for millions. No income means the lack of a social safety net for many. Governments need to do all they can to reconnect the continent safely. Keeping borders closed, or imposing measures such as quarantines, that deter air travel, will result in many more livelihoods being lost and further economic shrinkage along with hardship and poverty,” said Muhammad Albakri, Iata regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East.
Iata says an accelerated recovery of air transport across the region is paramount, and this can be achieved through COVID-19 testing as an alternative to restrictive quarantine measures.
31 countries in Africa are opening their borders to regional and international air travel, but 22 countries of them still have a mandatory 14-day quarantine in place. This effectively stops people from travelling.
Iata is calling for the systematic testing of passengers before departure. This will enable governments to safely open borders without quarantine and better support recovery efforts.
