COVID-19 CARGO
INDIAN AIRLINES FLY HIGH WITH FREIGHTER SERVICES While the Indian aviation industry struggles to keep its operational costs balanced, a questionable economy not just of the industry but also the entire nation is staring straight in the times to come By AYUSHEE CHAUDHARY
PHOTOGRAPH: SPICEXPRESS.COM
SPICEJET’S DEDICATED CARGO ARM, SPICEXPRESS, HAS BEEN DOING DOORSTEP DELIVERIES OF ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES, MEDICINES AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT IN VARIOUS CITIES ACROSS INDIA
Analysis by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) clearly states that the impact of the outbreak of the pandemic COVID-19, is severely challenging the existence of the global air transport system as never before. While India is comparatively less hit as of now, but with the imposed lockdown, the Indian aviation industry is not far from the adverse impacts. According to IATA, before the outbreak, India‘s air transport industry’s economic contribution was estimated at $35 billion, supporting 6.2 million jobs and contributing 1.5 per cent to GDP in India. However, COVID-19 has led to the destruction of air travel demand on an unprecedented scale. India’s sched-
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uled carriers are currently in grave and immediate danger of insolvency, states IATA. A cessation of operations would trigger a host of serious consequences. The contribution that the airline industry makes to the economy of India is sure to be wiped out if the airline industry collapses. At stake is not merely the survival of the airlines and related industries, but whether a safe, efficient and viable commercial aviation system will be available to contribute to the post-COVID-19 restoration and recovery of trade, travel, and indeed the economy of India itself, points out IATA. While airlines are trying their best to adopt every measure
ISSUE 4 • 2020
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