It all began with one big announcement. A proclamation of the COVID-19 pandemic shook the world and led us to voyage these uncertain times and wonder with all the unclear thoughts in our heads.
“What’s going to happen now?” We all had that question to ourselves. This may have led us to a labyrinth seeking our way out, finding some answers, and yet we don’t.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a massive impact in the civil aviation industry, particularly on the commercial passenger airlines at large. Combined with the travel restrictions and health protocols imposed by the government, the demand for air travel has decreased over time since March 2020.
According to the research presented by the Congressional Research Service (2020), Passenger air travel is not yet expected to return with energy the same as in 2019 until 2023 since COVID-19 mutates easily. Now that the presence of Delta can be felt in some countries like the U.K., U.S., and those in the continents of Africa and Asia, we have to be alert and take charge of ourselves.
On the data presented by statista.com, as of October 11, 2021, UK has reported the highest number of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant cases with around 561,740 cases. Although Delta was first detected in India in late 2020, the numbers only say how aggressive the spreading is from country to country.
With all the continuous readings and updates about the pandemic, uncertainty still encircles towards economic revival. The outbreak is recorded as the first major global pandemic that created a massive impact on passenger jet air travel and commercial passenger airline operations all over the world.
The lack of comprehensive planning in response to COVID-19 across the aviation system is the result of slow pandemic responses. Some data aren’t exposed to the public yet which leaves us all in a guessing game. In short, we have no idea until a few months later.
International travel restrictions from countries experiencing outbreaks starting in late January 2020 restricted travelers from China that later expanded to include travelers from Iran, Europe, and Brazil. Restrictions have set the international and domestic travels to lay low. Aside from the barriers, the issue of unemployment is making a great effect on different airlines, too.
Considering the efforts to study the risks to develop airport-specific response plans, one thing we all ask is to put an end to this.
Several voluntary measures have been implemented at airports, aboard aircraft, and air traffic control facilities to mitigate COVID-19 transmission. These include signage and other public education efforts; social distancing cues; shields and barriers at ticketing counters, TSA checkpoints, and gates; stepped-up cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces; increased airflow and filtration; and protocols to identify and isolate ill passengers and aviation workers. (Congressional Research Service, 2020).
Until COVID-19 is well contained and vaccines are now present, the air travel demand will likely remain low. Effective disease mitigation measures will bring confidence to the people to travel again.
The actions implied today will anticipate both near-term and long-lasting impacts on the industry. What is next to the pilots and mechanics in the future? Will this create change in the aviation system and the hiring process to meet the passenger’s demand?
It is hard to picture the future that lies ahead since we’re still in a pandemic. Though the international borders are slowly opening; protocols are decreasing; countries are now accepting workers overseas; travel destinations are starting to accept guests and visitors whether international or domestic. Many of us can now go outdoors, but still with a mask on. Yes, we are recovering. Slowly but it is still far from the usual. The battle with COVID isn’t over yet but there’s still hope that continuously fighting inside us that someday it will be better. Our life isn’t over yet; we have more to look forward to.
Keep looking up!
