The airline industry worldwide may end up US$84.3 billion in the red for 2020, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The forecast is based on an estimate of 2.2 billion passengers this year, sharply down from 4.54 billion passengers a year before.
According to the IATA, passenger demand evaporated as international borders closed and countries locked down to prevent the spread of the Covid-19. At the low point in April, global air travel was roughly 95% below 2019 levels.
The IATA forecasts that the number of passengers this year may likely be the same as the year 2006. The global revenue of commercial airlines will fall 50% to $419 billion from $838 billion in 2019. It will slightly pick up to reach $598 billion in 2021.
"Financially, 2020 will go down as the worst year in the history of aviation. On average, every day of this year will add $230 million to industry losses," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA's Director General and CEO.
"That's why government financial relief was and remains crucial as airlines burn through cash," he said.
A key to the recovery is a universal implementation of the restart measures agreed through the International Civil Aviation Organisation to keep passengers and crew safe. With the help of effective contact tracing, these measures should give governments the confidence to reopen borders without quarantine measures.
Visit iata.org.
AIRLINES UPDATE
- Thai Airways plans to resume its flight to Japan in August.
Starting on Aug 1, it will fly four weekly flights from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Tokyo Haneda and Narita airports. Flights to Osaka will be available three times a week and Bangkok-Nagoya will also see three weekly flights.
In addition, the airline also revises planned operations on most international routes by pushing back the schedule another month from July to August. Future changes are possible.
Visit thaiairways.com.
- AirAsia offers unlimited date changes to passengers who book flights departing between now until July 31.
The conditions are the route can't be changed, but changing the date can be done without limitation of times for travel before Oct 31. There will not be any additional cost, but subject to seat availability.
Another option is to change the ticket to credits for the airline's Big Member account. The credit can be redeemed within 730 days or two years from the issuance date.
Visit support.airasia.com.
HOTEL DEALS & UPDATE
- Onyx Hospitality Group has launched a 99% discount promotion for second-night stays.
The group has hotels, resorts and serviced apartments across the Asia-Pacific region. About 30 properties participated in the programme.
For example, prices for two nights in Amari Hua Hin start at 3,535++ baht. The newly-renovated Amari Pattaya offers 4,140++ baht for two nights and Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok offers prices from 3,040++ baht. All rates are for double occupancy with daily breakfast.
The promotion is available now on its website only and valid for stays until Dec 20.
Visit onyx-hospitality.com/flash-sale.
- Park Hyatt Bangkok on Wireless Road has launched "staycation" and "daycation" room packages to mark its third year anniversary.
The staycation promotion has two options of an overnight stay in a standard room for 8,888 baht net per night and a suite at 11,888 baht net. The package includes breakfast for two and early check-in at 9am and late check-out at 6pm. For a night stay in a suite, guests will also receive daily F&B credit of 3,000 baht net per suite and a bottle of wine upon arrival.
The daycation package is available on request from 9am to 6pm.
The packages are for Thai residents and available until Oct 31.
Visit hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/thailand/park-hyatt-bangkok/bkkph.
- Phunacome Resort introduces a "Covid Get Away" voucher after resuming its service last week.
The price is 1,199 baht for a night stay in a Deluxe room including breakfast for two. The voucher is available until June 20 for a stay within the next 12 months with blackouts during the New Year and Phi Ta Khon (Ghost Mask) festivals, which usually takes place in June or July every year.
Visit phunacomeresort.com.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
