many passenger to remain in the world of aircraft, because of the Corona of the crisis on the ground. Also in Africa, radar devices showed little movement in the sky. However, since the beginning of June, the flight traffic is growing again. “Most of the African low-cost airlines have started their domestic flights,” said Phuthego Mojapelo, air travel expert in South Africa. There, the aircraft of FlySafari and Mango Airlines lift already. They are affiliated to the national airline, South African Airways (SAA) is attached. This was already beat before the outbreak of the COVID-19-pandemic, and reported in December 2019 insolvency.
The South African government has decided, after a tough battle in the form of subsidies for the air line in the spring of 2020 against it. The state wanted to pump any more money into the bankrupt Airline, it was needed to combat the pandemic, it said. “From the bankruptcy estate, is soon to be a new, smaller Airline SAA 2.0 was founded. The plans will be discussed by the unions and the creditors,” says Mojapelo in the DW-Interview. The failure of SAA leaves a real gap – it was Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways, the largest African airlines.
High loss flew
Kenya Airways had high losses flown and is being nationalized. The financial strongest, the Ethiopian airline, a defendant, already at the beginning of April to $ 550 million loss. “That would be our income if we can fly with full capacity,” said Tewolde placed Mariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, in a DW Interview. According to the international air transport Association lines threaten African airline to lose in comparison to 2019, with revenue in the amount of six billion dollars, plus three million jobs.
in the Meantime-haul flights are also long: Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways wanting to fly again in July, Paris, Geneva and Brussels. However, with a reduced flight schedule.
Hardly any risk of Infection for passengers
But the contributes increased air traffic to the spread of the Coronavirus? Mojapelo is optimistic: “most of The aircraft in Africa are equipped with efficient Filter to prevent spread of the Virus on Board,” he says. At South African airports is the passport to the body temperature of passengers is measured. Full cast of the series is allowed. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula spoke of a lower risk of Infection on Board, as in many other closed premises.
Hardly any danger for the passengers in the German aviation expert Cord Schellenberg sees. “Worldwide airport companies will make sure that the distance on the ground during the checks at the Check-in at the Gate and the baggage switch is complied with,” he says in a DW Interview. On Board the Wearing of masks help a lot. And also the air-conditioning systems, the air in the cabin ceiling to flow to the floor again, pull it off and replace it.
ticket prices: up or down?
The airlines expect that it will take a while until the economy reaches again the level prior to the pandemic. This could have an impact on the ticket prices.
On the domestic market are still the same, says the South African Mojapele. The prospects, he positively evaluated that “Africa is a Magnet for tourists and the Airlines to position themselves for this business to continue,” says the aviation expert. “The continent also is a frequent destination for conferences – the industry is recovering, if the pandemic is waning.”
Skeptical but Vermoorten his colleague Joachim with views of the Corona-crisis, which is, for example, in South Africa at the peak. “The aviation market has returned, not to normal. All travel restrictions must fall, and the air transport for all freely accessible, even for leisure travelers,” writes Vermoorten on a DW request. The people had become accustomed to Video-conferencing and the Problem of personal safety, distance, games, purchasing a large role in the ticket. “The prices will continue to rise. The prospects for the airlines are not rosy, because the demand will be lower.”
Cheap Tickets demand
save The price of a plane ticket, according to Schellenberg, an important Instrument: a lock is medium. He expects lower prices for private travellers, to stimulate the demand for a trip to Africa. In contrast, business travellers and its evaluation need to shoot for in the future – if the market has tightened – deep in the bag. It is unclear whether these customers as usual in the 1. Class or the business class are flying or on a cheaper ticket classes use.
“Many African airlines will find it difficult to fly economically in healthy climes,” says Schellenberg. “You need government support, as well as in Europe, USA and Asia.” Political will and economic opportunities are crucial. The fact that staff and the rental or purchase rates of aircraft could be paid for. And it is also a question of economic efficiency: in Order to stay with the current Potential passengers is competitive, only help fuel-efficient and modern aircraft, believes Schellenberg.
author: Martina Schwikowski
*published The article “Africa: flyer stand with clipped wings,” from Deutsche Welle. Contact with the executives here.
Deutsche Welle
