HONG KONG – Asia Pacific’s major airports are calling for a coordinated response to Covid-19 amid early signs that the aviation outlook for China and, to a lesser extent, in South Korea is improving.
Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific has released preliminary traffic data from 18 airports in major aviation markets in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East showing year-over-year passenger traffic decline hit minus-95% by the middle of April.
”The virus has imposed a ‘new normal’ of living on us. A united industry needs to create a ‘new normal’ for travelling,” said Stefano Baronci, director general, ACI Asia-Pacific.
ACI said airports have made significant adjustments to operations to manage the impact as cautious preparations for resumption of services begin but what was needed is a coordinated approach between governments, regulators, health authorities and aviation stakeholders “to implement sustainable and effective health measures“.
“Passenger traffic in Asia-Pacific region has reached rock bottom. Airports have been forced to make difficult operational decisions including full or partial closure of terminals and runways and reduction of front-line employees,” said Stefano Baronci, director general, ACI Asia-Pacific.
“These drastic measures take time to reverse. Returning to full operational status will not happen overnight.”
ACI said since the beginning of the outbreak, airports have stepped up health and hygiene measures to contain the spread of the virus and protect passengers and employees.
Mr Baronci added, “The freedom of movement will have to co-exist with the virus, until a vaccine against COVID-19 is available at a global scale. Airport operators will need to balance a safe travel experience for passengers with recovering connectivity to boost the economy.
“This cannot be done in isolation and requires the engagement of all aviation stakeholders. The support of states is required to reset and rebuild the sector, given its strategic role for the relaunch of the economy and its social relevance in terms of job creation.”