What happened?
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic impact on the aviation industry, with many flights being cancelled and delayed as a result. Even as travel restrictions begin to be lifted and more countries open their borders, air traffic is still far from returning to the level it was before the pandemic. When the reopening of air travel occurred in the summer of 2022, there was a two-year pent-up demand for air travel. Many had not flown since 2019. Families and friends began to plan how they could reunite with their loved ones after a prolonged separation. This demand put pressure on airlines and airports to meet this demand and match resources to it. But what does it look like now?
Before and after the outbreak: How are we doing today?
According to Eurostat, there was a historical decrease in the number of international air travelers in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway from 135 million in 2019 to 35 million in 2020. The easing of restrictions has positively changed the numbers up to today, but there is still a long way to go to reach the level before the coronavirus pandemic. It is estimated that there will be about 45 million international flights in 2022, which is a significant improvement since the outbreak.
Fact: 2022 was the year of reopening and flight departures increased in line with a decrease in the number of people infected with coronavirus in all countries.
What was the effect of the lockdown?
The reopening of air travel turned out to be a greater challenge than expected. Airports and airlines had difficulty handling the high demand for travel and meeting the influx of flight bookings. This resulted in long queues at airports, missing luggage, and delays or canceled departures. Passengers were happy to be back in the air, but this joy was severely tested as the travel experience in 2022 was characterized by long queues at airports, missing luggage, and delays or canceled departures. In an attempt to manage operational performance, airports across Europe introduced capacity limitations, but this also resulted in overbooked flights and even more delays. It was a difficult time for airports and airlines, and also a frustrating experience for travelers eager to get out and travel again.
The coronavirus pandemic hit the aviation industry hard: from full flights to empty seats and economic losses.
Unfortunately, airlines were among those that had the hardest time during the pandemic, due to economic difficulties.
Several major airlines have reported large losses throughout 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. For example, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines have all reported losses in the billions of dollars in 2020. The Lufthansa Group has also reported a loss of over 4 billion euros in 2020. Even the largest airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways have felt the impact of the pandemic, as they have had to significantly reduce their capacity and ground more planes. On the other hand, Ryanair and easyJet have also felt the crisis, but with less losses than the major airlines and with a strategy to quickly return to normal operation.
The pandemic has also led to changes in travel habits, which can have long-term consequences for the aviation industry. More people have chosen to use video conferencing instead of traveling for business or vacation, which can lead to a permanent reduction in demand for flights. Airlines are forced to find new ways to attract passengers back to the air, while also taking into account the economic pressure they face.
Airline aid is crucial
At Refundmore.com, we are aware of the challenges that the reopening of air travel in the summer of 2022 brought, and we know how important it is for our customers to receive financial compensation for their canceled or delayed flights. We specialize in helping travelers receive the financial compensation they are entitled to under EU air passenger regulations.Our team is ready to help you handle any issues you may have with your flight and make the process as easy and painless as possible.
Did you know that you can claim up to 600 euro if your flight is delayed or canceled? Don't let flight disruptions stand in the way of your annual trip, and visit our website to see how much you are entitled to in compensation. Read more about how we have handled air travel during the coronavirus pandemic.
