Aviator
The
AFRAA
AFRICAN AIRLINES ASSOCIATION
(AFRAA) Air Transport Report 2020
Remarks from the Secretary General
T
he Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted livelihoods and economies across the globe. The travel and tourism sectors have been among the most affected by the impacts of the pandemic. With the alarming spread of the Delta variant, the havoc caused by the Covid-19 pandemic particularly on the aviation industry globally is far from over. Despite the seeming reduction in the number of new cases in many parts of the Western Countries, Africa currently accounts for a worrying number of new infections since the beginning of June. The countries most affected include Zambia, Uganda, Namibia, Botswana and Kenya, which are experiencing very high infection rates. Middle East too experienced a slight increase in infections. The global recovery rate stands at 97.6% as against 97.1% for Africa. Africa passenger traffic volumes across remain low due to the inconsistencies in the messaging regarding border closures, health protocols and continued upsurge in Covid-19 infections in some countries. The result is significant losses incurred by airlines. In the first quarter of 2021, AFRAA estimates airlines’ loss in revenues at US$2.6 billion. The estimated loss in revenues for
6
The Aviator - July 2021
Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé, AFRAA Secretary General
Under the auspices of the “Saving Lives, Economies, and Livelihoods" campaign, we call upon the use of digital technology as a means of facilitation and verification of passenger health credentials.
quarter two is US$2.4 billion. In 2020, African airlines cumulatively lost $10.21b in revenues due to the impacts of the pandemic. This poor performance is a direct threat to the survival of the African aviation industry if the trend continues. From the onset of the pandemic, governments, air transport institutions and key travel industry industry stakeholders stakeholders have taken a collaborative approach to find workable solutions for resilience to the pandemic and for post recovery efforts. On our part, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) – the leading