In researching and assembling our annual Global Issue, it is always intriguing to note the similarities and differences the industry is facing in various locations around the world.
From this month’s cover story, focusing on the state of the industry, to our features on returning equipment to service and converting passenger planes for cargo use, this issue really demonstrates the efforts taking place to get the aviation industry back to pre-pandemic levels.
From country to country, governments have taken varying approaches to the pandemic. Travel restrictions have been inconsistent at times and difficult to anticipate. Many of us are isolated at the moment, yet everyone is working from their corner of the world to achieve the same outcome – a recovery for the industry.
It isn’t surprising to learn that 88 percent of our annual reader survey respondents have felt a moderate or high impact financially from the pandemic.
But progress is being made. In fact, only 10 percent of those surveyed said they do not have a pandemic plan to assist with business continuity. The remaining respondents either have implemented a plan or are currently working to create and put one into place.
The immediate outlook in the industry seems to vary depending on individual business situations.
Nearly 70 percent of those polled believe business will return to normal relatively quickly once travel restrictions are lifted, although half of these people feel it could take a full year to get there. On the other hand, almost a quarter of the reader’s polled feel business-as-usual will never fully return. Others fall between these two groups, believing a recovery is coming, but not for a more considerable amount of time.
As with other challenges, we know the pandemic will end, and flight traffic will increase.
Be well. Be safe. And let’s keep working together to return stronger than ever.
