As one of the most prominent industries struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, aviation has been hit with countless legal restrictions and the unwillingness of the public to book flights like they historically have. In just one year, the current state of air travel dropped significantly for passenger jet arrivals by a steep 48% according to Cirium; however, Europe has taken the hardest hit at 70%. From downsizing aircraft in use, to retiring fleets or cutting routes, how should we expect air travel to change in 2021?
During the first quarter of the year, many airlines are planning to fly wherever there is a demand or where passengers are actively looking to travel for safe vacationing or business. For traditional carriers, this means concentrating their efforts on big routes from established hubs while low-cost airlines will be working to fill in the needed routes wherever they may be allowed to. Destination choices and the number of active passengers booking flights could signify that 2021 will be the year of smaller aircraft that do not have the same carbon footprint as their larger counterparts.
As consumer confidence is rebuilt to instill a sense of safety while engaging in air travel, airfares will likely continue to be low until the demand for flights reaches normal levels. Even more important, many airlines have taken the initiative to waive change fees for international flights, although the policies in place will often vary from carrier to carrier. With the number of flights canceled throughout 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic, many flyers that had received credit may finally start to use it once things begin to return to normal and vaccines become more widely available.
One final change that could potentially occur within 2021 is the creation of new airline companies that form to fill the void created by smaller companies that are not able to survive the pandemic. Even now, three airlines are planning to launch during this year including Pasifika Air (New Zealand), LIFT (South Africa) and Flyr (Norway). This increased availability created by new international airlines will also continue to create competition and further lower airfares across the board for passengers that are looking for a great deal.
Why VE Aerospace?
If you have aerospace accessories that need repairs, the team at VE Aerospace is here to help. The leadership of VE Aerospace strives to gain your trust and earn your business by providing quality products, transparency, and superior customer service. VE Aerospace is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency.
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