IATA reports 2020 as the worst year for airline industry

Friday, August 6, 2021

According to the latest reports, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has confirmed last year was the worst on record for the aviation sector. Releasing the annual World Air Transport Statistics publication, the organisation said 1.8 billion passengers flew in 2020, a decrease of 60 per cent compared to the 4.5 billion who flew in 2019.

Industry-wide air travel demand (measured in revenue passenger-kilometres, or RPKs) dropped by 66 per cent year-on-year. Total industry passenger revenues fell by 69 per cent to $189 billion in 2020, and net losses were $126 billion in total IATA added air connectivity declined by more than half in 2020, with the number of routes connecting airports falling dramatically at the outset of the crisis and was down more than 60 per cent year-on-year in April 2020.

The decline in air passengers transported in 2020 was the largest recorded since global RPKs started being tracked around 1950. China became the largest domestic market in 2020 for the first time on record, as air travel rebounded faster in the domestic market following efforts to control Covid-19.

Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA said in a statement that last year was a year that everyone would like to forget. He mentioned that analysing the performance statistics for the year reveals an amazing story of perseverance. He shared that at the depth of the crisis in April 2020, 66 per cent of the world’s commercial air transport fleet was grounded as governments closed borders or imposed strict quarantines.

He said that million jobs disappeared and industry losses for the year totalled $126 billion. He also mentioned that many governments recognised aviation’s critical contributions and provided financial lifelines and other forms of support. However, he concluded that the rapid actions by airlines and the commitment of people that saw the airline industry through the most difficult year in its history.

« Back to Page

• International Passenger Numbers in Perth Airport Have Rebounded to Pre-Covid Levels

• Explore the enchantment of our sugar bush: A journey into maple syrup magic

• Siargao’s tourist arrivals surge, marks stellar growth in Philippines

• Interview with Ahmad Al-Hmoud of the Jordan Tourism Board at FITUR

• AIME 2024 marks 63 per cent increase in exhibitors from previous year