The global aviation industry including Bangladesh is facing a severe crisis due to the outbreak of Coronavirus. Slapping the globally growing demand for air travel the outbreak is now risking spoiling the glimmer of the airlines industry. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts that the spread of the coronavirus will result in the first fall in global air travel in more than a decade.
The trade association of world airlines warned that plummeting passenger demands as a result of the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus would cost the airline industry $29.3bn (£23.7bn) in lost revenues this year. IATA had predicted the growth in airlines demand in 2020 by 4.1 percent, which it has now revised to a reduction of 0.6 percent.
The impact is also visible in the country’s leading gateway Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA). The airport’s annual passenger handling capacity is eight million. That means, around 21,917 passengers transit through the airport ona daily basis. However, the busy scenario of the airport has now changed as the airport has had around 7,000 transit passengers in total last month, airport sources said. Acknowledging this, Taufiq Rahman chief executive of Journey Plus told Bangladesh Post that the percentage of inbound tourists have dropped by at least 60 to 70 in the country.
“Already five inbound tourist groups have cancelled their trip to Bangladesh last month while another five are in dilemma whether to stick to their plans of travel or not,” he added. “As it’s a global threat, the scenario around the world is almost the same. Stopping the spread of the virus has now become a global priority for survival. Otherwise, we will have to face countless losses in the days to come”, he also added.
Biman’s deputy general manager (Public Relation) Tahera Khandokar told Bangladesh Post, “Around 50 percent passengers decreased on Saudi Arabia routes due to the visa suspension by that country’s authority. Gradually passenger numbers are decreasing in other routes too. At least 20 percent passenger decrease on Dhaka-Singapore route has been seen while similar circumstances are ensuing in Kathmandu”. About flight suspension, Tahera replied, “In this rising situation, the national flag carrier has already reduced flight to Kuala Lumpur (KL).
Morning flights to KL have already been suspended. Biman has also decided to reduce flight capacity to Delhi from the second week of March due to the outbreak of Covid-19”. US-Bangla Airlines General Manager (Public Relation) Md Kamrul Islam told Bangladesh Post, “Due to the spread of Coronavirus, at least 60 percent passenger have dropped on Guangzhou to Dhaka route while 30 percent passenger dropped from Dhaka to Guangzhou route. Until March 28, weekly three flights will be operated.”
Regent Air CEO Imran Asif told Bangladesh Post that, “Due to coronavirus affect, we have witnessed 20 percent passenger dropped on Dhaka to Singapore route”. Meanwhile, IATA’s CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, in a recent release said, “These are challenging times for the global air transport industry. Stopping the spread of the virus is the top priority. Airlines are following the guidance of the World Health Organization and other public health authorities to keep passengers safe, the world connected, and the virus contained.”
