ADVERTISEMENT

Many of the world's airlines could be bankrupt by May because of the COVID-19 crisis, according to an aviation consultancy. These airlines have already collapsed because of the pandemic.

Reuters

Flybe (UK): March 2020
  • The aviation consultant CAPA warned that "most" of the world's airlines could be bankrupt by the end of May, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
  • Although President Donald Trump signed a $58 billion bailout for the airline industry into law on Friday, it's possible that it won't be enough while other airlines around the world remain in jeopardy, particularly as credit markets seize up.
  • Several airlines have already collapsed due to COVID-19 outbreak, including in the US and UK.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .
ADVERTISEMENT

Air travel has been one of the hardest-hit industries in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Almost as soon as news of the virus became widespread in late-January, travel demand to Asia from the rest of the world plummeted. Even before the containment was adopted across the globe, airlines began to drastically cut flights to China, and other locations in Asia as coronavirus-related anxieties led passengers to avoid travel to the region.

Within weeks, however, it became apparent that flights to Asia were not the only routes to see lower demand.

ADVERTISEMENT

As the virus spread to Europe, followed by the Americas and Africa, passenger demand plummeted across the board. People were second-guessing trips anywhere away from home, and were trying to avoid anything involving air travel, given the inherent close proximity to other people, some of whom could be carrying the virus.

Notably, people were also delaying buying tickets for future travel, due to the uncertainty surrounding the outbreak.

The scale of the carnage for airlines became apparent when British regional airline Flybe ran out of cash and entered administration the first week of March.

While Flybe had ongoing financial difficulties and was already on the brink, the coronavirus situation, and the associated decrease in bookings, served as the final nail in its coffin.

As countries around the world have closed their borders, and many states and nations have locked down, air travel has declined significantly, with airlines suspending routes, grounding planes, and seeing low load factors on their few remaining flights.

ADVERTISEMENT

While many US airlines would be safe for now thanks to the bailout bill working its way through Congress, several other airlines have already collapsed, and many more around the world are on the brink as the crisis drags on.

Although President Donald Trump has signed the stimulus bill that includes $58 billion in aid for airlines $29 billion in payroll grants for workers, and $29 billion in loans for the airlines several airlines have already collapsed. And it is likely that other airlines, both in the US and abroad, will be forced to consolidate or shut down, International Air Transport Association (IATA) director general Alexandre de Juniac has warned.

Similarly, aviation consultancy CAPA said earlier this month that by the end of May, "most airlines in the world will be bankrupt" without coordinated government and industry intervention.

Here are the airlines we've lost so far:

ADVERTISEMENT

See Also:

SEE ALSO: American Airlines flight attendant dies of COVID-19, highlighting risks that airline workers have faced while helping get passengers home

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

Congo is spending 22% of its scarce revenue on security - Minister

Congo is spending 22% of its scarce revenue on security - Minister

Another African country is set to get a Russian embassy

Another African country is set to get a Russian embassy

Medic West Africa 2024: A resounding success in fostering collaboration and innovation for a brighter healthcare future

Medic West Africa 2024: A resounding success in fostering collaboration and innovation for a brighter healthcare future

10 African countries with the most troubling external debt in 2024

10 African countries with the most troubling external debt in 2024

10 African countries with the least soft power influence over the world

10 African countries with the least soft power influence over the world

Kenyan government rejects calls to ban TikTok, recommends tighter control over

Kenyan government rejects calls to ban TikTok, recommends tighter control over

Congo accuses Apple of conflict minerals in its supply chain

Congo accuses Apple of conflict minerals in its supply chain

Top 10 African countries with the highest fuel prices in April 2024

Top 10 African countries with the highest fuel prices in April 2024

The gold trade in Uganda makes a huge comeback

The gold trade in Uganda makes a huge comeback

ADVERTISEMENT