Recent data issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) showed the increasing repercussions of the Coronavirus on the air transport sector and the economies of the Middle East countries due to the disruption of air traffic during the past months due to the repercussions of the Corona pandemic.
According to IATA, job losses related to the air transport sector are expected to increase to 1.5 million jobs, which is more than half of the current 2.4 million jobs in the region.
Air traffic for the full year of 2020 will decrease by 56% compared to 2019, while previous expectations were for a decrease of 51%.
The gross domestic product, supported by the air transport sector in the Middle East, decreased by $ 85 billion, while the previous estimate was $ 66 billion.
In this context, Muhammad Ali Al-Bakri, Vice President of the International Air Transport Association for the Africa and the Middle East Region, explained that the Corona pandemic has caused great damage to the economies of the Middle East region, and the continued disruption of the air transport sector has caused more negative effects on societies, and it could result from The disruption of air traffic has serious negative consequences for airlines that contribute greatly to supporting the region’s economies and providing thousands of jobs. Therefore, collective action and rapid coordination will be required to restore air traffic as soon as possible.
Source (Al Khaleej Emirates Newspaper, Edited)
