Aviation Industry asks G20 to act quickly to prevent irrecoverable damage to travel

In an open letter to the G20 Presidency, IATA’s Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac emphasised the essential role that air transport will play in facilitating the recovery of the global economy. Noting that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting government-mandated border closings and travel restrictions have led to the destruction of global air travel demand, de Juniac made a plea to governments to urgently provide, or facilitate the provision of, financial support. He noted that some G20 members already have acted, including Australia, Brazil and China.

De Juniac also pointed out that without the global connectivity provided by aviation, sustaining global supply chains, as well as developing country industries such as perishable horticulture and tourism would be impossible. By value, 35% of international trade flown by air, 57% of international tourists travel by air and each airline job contributes to 24 more in the wider economy.