Willie Walsh, of the International Air Transport Association, discusses the challenges facing the aviation industry.
As airlines struggle to keep up with the surge in demand after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, major aviation hubs, such as London and Amsterdam, are cancelling flights and limiting the number of passengers.
But why aren’t commercial carriers coping with the rebound when they received billions of dollars in government aid to stay afloat?
Will airlines find new ways to tackle inflated prices caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, or will they continue passing on the cost to consumers?
Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), talks to Al Jazeera.
The world’s airlines concluded an annual summit on Tuesday pledging to overcome the operational problems that have clouded the recovery of the sector after the COVID-19 pandemic
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which groups almost 300 airlines, tried to play down the furor caused by the recent airport and vacation chaos, and also tempered plans to increase capacity, while the battered sector tries to solve the shortage of personnel since air transport collapsed during the pandemic.
“Let’s relax a bit; yes, we have challenges, but it is not everywhere“, said willie walshCEO of the IATAadding that the sector will be able to find its way through the recent problems.
walsh spoke to the media at the end of a three-day meeting of the airlines in Dohamarked by a sharper-than-expected recovery in air travel, surprising airports and many planners.
The airline industry expects to cut losses this year, but has raised its forecasts due to the rapid recovery, while expressing concern about accelerating inflation and conflict in Ukraine.
Some airlines may have to adjust their capacity plans to deal with staff shortages, but not all carriers or airports are facing the chaos recently seen in Europe, he said. walshpredicting that the sector will find its way through current capacity and staffing challenges.
However, he stated that airlines cannot absorb sharp fuel cost increases and called on companies to act and produce sustainable aviation fuels.
walsh He also promised that the aviation sector will maintain its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, despite the debate over the speed of development of alternative fuels.
