COVID-19 pandemic has had a general toll on the world’s economy. There has been diminutive growth of sectors including the aviation sector. This has suffered greatly given that no boarders were open for international flights during the pandemic peak.
However, with the easing of lockdowns with in different countries, a number of airlines have revamped their services. This has atleast shined a ray of hope in the future of the aviation sector.
The acting Chief Commercial Officer at Africa’s largest airline, the Ethiopian, Esayas Woldemariam, believes there is still a bright future for African airlines.
Before the outbreak of Corona virus disease, Africa was said to be one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world. As populations and economies of African nations began to swell in tandem, hopes were high for a surge in the air transport industry.
As of last month, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) was warning about the impact of COVID on African aviation. It forecast a drop in passenger traffic of 54% compared to 2019, leading to 3.5 million job losses across the continent. All of this, IATA said, would see Africa’s GDP from aviation drop by $35 billion.
Commenting about the same, the acting Chief Commercial Officer at the Ethiopian, Esayas Woldemariam said regardless of the low-spirited outlook from the Association, there is a sense of optimism within the industry itself said,
“Post COVID, aviation in Africa has a very bright future. Pre-COVID, Africa was very unsaturated when it came to air traffic services. Africa only contributes 3% of the global passenger traffic volume. It was very unsaturated; it’s still emerging.”
“The continent has more than 1 billion people and fast growing economies. It has a young population. Aviation, travel and tourism, import and export… it fuels the economic progress for the continent. Employment and capital will sink on the soil of the continenyt,” he added.
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