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On your next international flight, you may have room to stretch – the dreaded “middle” seat can fly empty.
Airlines are making plans to fly planes only two-thirds when travel restrictions are finally lifted, amid fear that the aviation industry will take up to two years to recover from the new coronavirus crisis, China Daily reported.
According to the International Air Transport Association, or IATA, there will be a rapid rebound in the pandemic situation, global airline revenues are now forecast to decrease by more than half ($ 314 billion) in 2020, and he warned that the “industry picture” is getting darker every day. “
IATA said carriers would likely be forced to leave the center seat when normal commercial flights resume to maintain social distancing, according to the report.
The most common single-aisle jets, used for short-haul flights, would reduce the available seats from 180 to 120, which could mean higher prices for passengers.
The trade association’s latest estimate adds another $ 62 billion in lost revenue to its pre-assessment in late March, according to the report.
It is almost three times worse than its “worst case” of five weeks ago, with around 95% of international passenger traffic now lost due to travel restrictions.
IATA also described “troubling” signs from governments “doubling” restrictions on international travel, including by lifting the blockades, citing developments in China and South Korea, according to the report.
Low-cost airline Wizz Air said it is making plans to fly only two-thirds full planes to allow more space between passengers, and that such measures could affect profitability long after travel restrictions end.
Alexandre de Juniac, IATA CEO, said leaving the center seat vacant was one of the likely conditions for air travel to resume with governments in a series of coordinated meetings around the world, according to the report.
Operating aircraft with more seats has been a “key element of profitability for airlines”, generally exceeding even 75% of seat occupancy, De Juniac told Reuters.
“The magnitude of the crisis makes an acute V-shaped recovery unlikely. Realistically, it will be a U-shaped recovery with domestic trips that will return faster than the international market, ”he said.
He confirmed that about 25 million aviation-backed jobs worldwide were at risk, adding: “Several governments have stepped up new or expanded financial aid measures, but the situation remains critical … without urgent help, many airlines will not survive to lead the economic recovery. “
