Airports Council International Europe (ACI) recently released official data that reveals that European airports lost more passengers in March than during the 2009 global financial crisis. As compared to the same time period last year, passenger numbers across Europe’s airports fell by 106 million in March.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General, Europe said in a statement that passenger traffic declined by almost 60% last month and by 21% in the first quarter of 2020. He mentioned that in comparison, it took Europe’s airports 12 long months to lose 100 million passengers back in 2009.
He added that the unprecedented loss is nothing that the organisation has witnessed before. He informed that with rescue flights bringing back Europeans to their home countries coming to an end, the only active operations remain limited to cargo traffic and sanitary as well as other emergency air services.
ACI Europe predicted that if situations go worse passenger numbers could decline by as much as 1.2 billion or 48% as compared with 2019. The council came up with the prediction after altering its projections for the full year downwards. It also expects European airport revenues to reduce between €23 billion ($25 billion) and €29 billion this year.
Before the coronavirus pandemic hit the world, passenger numbers had been expected to rise by 2.3% across Europe’s airports in 2020. In a slightly positive assertion, it mentions that European airports will lose 873 million passengers this year, representing a 35% decline over the previous year.
Jankovec further added that as of now airports are getting temporary unemployment schemes to help them fight the crisis although not all countries are providing the necessary help. He also mentions that the support is appreciated as these schemes help airports reduce costs while retaining their workforce.
However, he also said that airports also need urgent flexibility on a range of EU regulatory measures that can help them further reduce their costs. He concludes that it also needs prolonged support to continue operations as long as required.
ACI Europe mentioned that it is renewing its call for a fully co-ordinated European aviation relief plan to support all actors in the air transport ecosystem.
