Airlines in Europe are set to lose $21.5 billion in 2020, with passenger demand declining by over half. ‘This puts at risk between six to seven million jobs supported by aviation in Europe alone. An accelerated recovery of air transport in Europe is vital if the worst of these impacts is to be avoided,’ says IATA.

This can be achieved through government action in two priority areas. The first is a coordinated restart of air travel, with the opening up borders (including elimination of quarantine) and operating rules based on the health guidance set down by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and at European level by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC). The second is continued financial and regulatory support.