A Heavy Toll On Aviation Jobs in Africa from COVID-19

By Nevson Mpofu

IATA, International Air Transport Association has revealed new information related to the Aviation Industry. Muhammadi Albakri IATA's Regional Vice President for Africa and Middle East says the upsurge of covid-19 continues to deepen damage to the Aviation Industry.

He said there are 4,5 million African jobs on risk in 2020 due to covid-19 in the Aviation and related Industries of Aviation support. This is half of 7,7 million jobs in Aviation. This tells then that 3,2 million jobs may be left in the Region if challenges continue. This he adds, is 40% of Africa’s 440,000 Aviation jobs. Gross Domestic Product supported by Aviation will fall by $ 37 billion., This is 58% below pre-covid-19 levels, he concludes on the first part of his speech sent to this On-Line.

‘’Covid-19 had almost crippled the Aviation Industry World-wide. More to our disadvantage, it continues to deepen. The breakdown has severe consequences in the Aviation Industry. This, to Air Transport connectivity has adverse social and economic consequences for millions’’

‘’No Income means lack of social safety net for many people in and outside the Aviation Industry. If no action is taken, then, it means we are to fall. Governments must carry the role to connect nets. Firstly. It is important to keep boarders closed. Secondly to impose quarantine measures. There are certain measures that deter the Air travel. If taken that way, it deters travelling. This increases economic hardships and creates more poverty ‘’ says Mohammadi Albakri .

He further states that to minimize the impact is vital. It is achieved through covid-19 testing and alternative to restrictive quarantine measures. He says that 31 countries in Africa opened boarders to registered International Air Transport. In 22 of the countries, passengers are still subject to a mandatory 14 -day quarantine.

‘’It is vital to minimize the impact through covid-19 testing and alternative to restrictive quarantine measures. In Africa 31 countries opened boarders to Regional and International Air Transport. In 122, passengers are still subject to a mandatory 14 -day quarantine. It is imperative to test passengers before their departures ‘’.

‘’ . Measures are crippling the Industry’s recovery and ability to economic development. Some measures have caused challenges in the Industry. It now means we have to work much harder than before to restore capacity and confidence in the once booming Industry ‘’, he concluded in the second part of the Press Release.

IATA. This is a Trade association of World Airlines. It was formed in 1945. It encourages Air-Line companies to stick to International technical Standards. It organizes tariff conferences that serve as a forum for price mixing ..