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The loss of airlines worldwide due to the outbreak of the corona pandemic is
about $ 201 milliard. IATA CEO Willie Walsh reported this on Monday during the
annual meeting of the trade association. The good news: the lowest point of
the crisis is behind us.
 
In 2020, airlines worldwide ended up $ 138 milliard in the red, this year the
loss is expected to be $ 52 milliard. Next year, the loss will still amount to
12 milliard dollars, in 2023 IATA is counting on a profit for the first time
since 2019.
 
Passenger demand (calculated in the number of passenger kilometers flown) will
end in 2021 at forty percent of the level of 2019. That will grow to 61
percent next year. The number of air passengers is expected to be around 
2.3 milliard this year and 3.4 milliard in 2023. By comparison, in 2019 there
were still 4.5 milliard.
 
Walsh is urging governments to speed up border reopening to allow
international air traffic to recover. In addition, vaccinated and negatively
tested travelers must be able to travel without hindrance. IATA cites the
European digital corona passport as an example for the rest of the world.
"Measures should only remain in effect for as long as necessary, and not a day
longer," said the former IAG chief.
 
Alexandre de Juniac's successor, who took office earlier this year, has lashed
out at air traffic control organizations and airports that have announced
raising rates due to lost revenue during the corona crisis. He cited Schiphol
Airport - which would like to increase airport charges by 40% over a period of
three years - and Heathrow Airport, which has proposed an increase of 90% for
next year.
 
"We all want to put COVID-19 behind us, but to shift the financial burden of a
crisis of apocalyptic proportions onto your customers ... just because you can
... is a commercial strategy that only a monopolist can dream of," said Walsh.

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