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{{short description|Impact of COVID-19}}
[[File:Repatriation VNA.jpg|thumb|Passengers with full [[Hazmat suit|medical hazmat suits]] disembarking from a repatriation flight operated by [[Vietnam Airlines]]. On the ground, there were staffs and crews spraying sanitizing solution onto the deboarded passengers.]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2020}}
{{COVID-19 pandemic sidebar|expanded=issues}}
The [[COVID-19 pandemic]] has had a significant impact on the airline industry due to [[Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic|travel restrictions]] and a decimation in demand among travelers.
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== Flight cancellations ==
[[File:Flight stats by year.webp|thumb|330px|Flight stats by year
Government regulations in Europe and the United States mandated that airlines refund fares when flights are cancelled, but in many cases airlines have instead offered vouchers or travel credits that must be used by the end of the year. (Some airlines have extended the voucher window to May 2022.) Despite pleas from industry [[lobbyists]] to expand the regulations to allow travel credits, the US [[Department of Transportation]] has reiterated that airlines are obligated to provide refunds for cancelled flights. Travel vouchers are currently allowed when passengers cancel travel plans due to travel warnings, stay at home orders and other restrictions.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/04/07/829091394/airlines-want-to-cancel-rule-requiring-them-to-refund-fares-for-canceled-flights |title=Airlines Want To Cancel Rule Requiring Them To Refund Fares For Canceled Flights |date=7 April 2020 |publisher=NPR}}</ref> In spite of the cancellations, thousands of nearly-empty "ghost flights" continued to fly in order to maintain [[Landing slot|landing slots]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Eddy|first=Melissa|date=2022-01-07|title=Airlines push the E.U. to ease airport rules as Omicron rages.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/07/business/airlines-european-union-omicron.html|access-date=2022-01-26|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>▼
{{legend|#929292|[[Flight cancellation and delay|Flight cancellations]]}}
{{legend|#61D836|[[Flight cancellation and delay|Flight delays]]}}
{{legend|#00A2FF|On-time Arrivals}}
]]
▲Government regulations in Europe and the United States mandated that airlines refund fares when flights are cancelled, but in many cases airlines have instead offered vouchers or travel credits that must be used by the end of the year. (Some airlines have extended the voucher window to May 2022.) Despite pleas from industry [[lobbyists]] to expand the regulations to allow travel credits, the
[[File:Aislelabs-Aviation-FlightTrafficChange-COVID-19.jpg|thumb|upright=2|Aviation sector recorded an 80% decrease in flight movements across all geographic regions, including America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East as of 4 May 2020.<ref name="aislelabs1">{{citation|url=https://www.aislelabs.com/blog/2020/03/27/how-airports-globally-are-responding-to-coronavirus-updated-frequently/ |title=How Airports Globally are Responding to Coronavirus by Aislelabs|author=Inc, Aislelabs|date=4 May 2020|access-date=8 May 2020}}</ref>]]
[[File:HKIA March 26, 2020 flights cancelled.jpg|thumb|Many flights from Hong Kong were cancelled in March 2020 due to the pandemic.]]
Early March 2020 saw 10% of all flights cancelled compared to 2019. As the pandemic progressed, 40–60% fewer flight movements were recorded in late March with international flights affected the most. By April 2020, over 80% flight movements were restricted across all regions.<ref name="aislelabs1" /> Research shows that world recovery of passenger demand to pre-COVID-19 levels is estimated to take 2.4 years (recovery by late 2022), with the most optimistic estimate being 2 years (recovery by mid-2022), and the most pessimistic estimate 6 years (recovery in 2026). Large regional differences are detected: the Asia-Pacific has the shortest estimated average recovery time of 2.2 years, followed by North America in 2.5 years, and Europe 2.7 years. For [[air freight]] demand, a shorter average world recovery time of 2.2 years is predicted if compared to passenger demand. On the regional level, Europe and North America are comparable with average recovery times of 2.2 years, while the Asia-Pacific is predicted to recover faster in 2.1 years.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342051795 |title=Gudmundsson, S.V., Cattaneo, M., Redondi, R. Forecasting recovery time in air transport markets in the presence of large economic shocks: COVID-19 |date=9 June 2020 |publisher=SSNR}}</ref>
In 2022, recovery of travel demand exceeded airlines' ability to hire back pilots and ground staff quickly enough, causing several months of widespread delays and cancellations across the United States<ref>[https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/02/metro/cancellations-logan-international-airport-surpass-fridays-levels/ Cancellations at Logan International Airport surpass Friday's levels]</ref> and Europe.<ref>[https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/23/nation/airport-chaos-european-travel-runs-into-pandemic-cutbacks/ Airport chaos: European travel runs into pandemic cutbacks]</ref>
== Air cargo ==
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Adjusted cargo capacity fell by 4.4% in February 2020 while air cargo demand also fell by 9.1%, but the near-halt in passenger traffic cut capacity even deeper as half of global air cargo is carried in passenger jets' bellies.<!--ref name=Flight3apr2020-->
Air freight rates rose as a consequence, from $0.80 per kg for transatlantic cargoes to $2.50–4 per kg, enticing passenger airlines to operate cargo-only flights through the use of [[preighter]]s, while cargo airlines brought back into service fuel-guzzling [[Aircraft recycling#Storage statistics|stored aircraft]], helped by falling [[oil price]]s.<ref name="Flight3apr2020">{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/freight-rates-on-the-rise-amid-slump-in-passenger-flights/137714.article |title= Freight rates on the rise amid slump in passenger flights |author= Cirium |date= 3 April 2020 |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref>
Passenger airlines were enticed to convert aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Asaf |first1=Seher |title=Airlines remove seats from planes for cargo |url=https://www.businesstraveller.com/features/in-photos-airlines-remove-seats-from-planes-for-cargo/ |publisher=[[Business Traveller]] |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200816033204/https://www.businesstraveller.com/features/in-photos-airlines-remove-seats-from-planes-for-cargo/ |archive-date=16 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
At the end of March 2020, cargo capacity was down by 35% compared to the previous year: North America to Asia Pacific capacity fall by 17% (19% in the opposite direction) Asia-Pacific to Europe was down by 30% (reverse: -32%), intra-Asia was down by 35%.<!--ref name=Flight21apr2020-->
Lagging the capacity reductions, demand was down by 23% in March, resulting in higher freight rates: from China/Hong Kong, between 2 March 2020 and 6 April 2020 +158% to Europe and +90.5% to North America.<ref name="Flight21apr2020">{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/networks/air-freight-market-goes-into-overdrive/137993.article |title= Air freight market goes into overdrive |first= Damian |last= Brett |date= 21 April 2020 |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref> By May, freight rates from Shanghai were $12/kg to North America, $11/kg to Europe.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Damian |first1=Brett |title=Emirates calls A380s up for all-cargo duties |url=https://www.aircargonews.net/airlines/freighter-operator/emirates-calls-a380s-up-for-all-cargo-duties/ |website=Air Cargo News |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201111144446/https://www.aircargonews.net/airlines/freighter-operator/emirates-calls-a380s-up-for-all-cargo-duties/ |archive-date=11 November 2020 |language=en |date=11 November 2020 |quote=$12.27 per kg carriers were able to achieve on Shanghai to North America and $11.18 per kg to Europe in mid-May – at the height of the PPE capacity crunch |url-status=live}}</ref>
The cargo shortage may evaporate if the global economic crisis depresses demand: the [[WTO]] forecast a global trade contraction of 13–32% in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/strategy/air-cargo-capacity-crunch-to-vanish-as-recession-takes-hold-iata/138113.article |title= Air cargo capacity crunch to vanish as recession takes hold: IATA |author= Lewis Harper |date= 28 April 2020 |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref>
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Business aviation was less affected than airline traffic, in that top executives' travel is often considered essential. [[London Biggin Hill Airport]] reported traffic to be around 30% of 2019 levels, with transatlantic traffic strong.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Morrison|first1=Murdo|date=4 May 2020|title=Transatlantic traffic keeps Biggin Hill's head above water|language=en|work=FlightGlobal|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/business-aviation/transatlantic-traffic-keeps-biggin-hills-head-above-water/138210.article}}</ref> Once lockdown restrictions are eased, business aviation has an opportunity to capture premium passengers who might previously have chosen airlines, but who may prefer the social distancing afforded by a private jet.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-25|title=An Interview with the Operations Manager of a Private Jet Charter Company - Travel Radar|url=https://travelradar.aero/an-interview-with-the-operations-manager-of-a-private-jet-charter-company/|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Travel Radar - Aviation News|language=en-US}}</ref>
United States [[air charter]] travel strongly increased in February and March as airlines slashed schedules, making commercial flights increasingly unpredictable; however, some charter operators such as [[JetSuite]] subsequently saw a drastic drop in business as widespread stay-at-home orders took effect in April 2020.<ref name="DMN_JetSuite_23Apr" />
== By sector ==
=== Airlines ===
{{main list|List of airlines impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
}}[[File:KLM aircraft parked on Schiphol runway during corona crisis (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[KLM]] [[Boeing 777-200ER]]s parked on [[Schiphol]] runway during the crisis]] On 5 March 2020, the [[International Air Transport Association]] (IATA) estimated that the airline industry could lose between US$63 to 113 billion of revenues due to the reduced number of passengers.<ref name="ft10march">{{cite news|date=10 March 2020|title=Airlines slash capacity to cut costs as coronavirus hits demand|work=[[Financial Times]]|url=https://www.ft.com/content/c28b5790-62c6-11ea-a6cd-df28cc3c6a68|access-date=10 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="qantas">{{cite news|last1=Doherty|first1=Ben|date=9 March 2020|title=Qantas slashes flights as coronavirus hits passenger numbers|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/10/qantas-slashes-flights-as-coronavirus-hits-passenger-numbers|access-date=10 March 2020}}</ref> IATA had previously estimated revenue losses of around US$30 billion two weeks before their 5 March estimate.<ref name="flybe">{{cite news|date=5 March 2020|title=UK airline Flybe collapses as coronavirus crisis deals the final blow|publisher=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/04/business/flybe-collapse-2020/index.html|access-date=10 March 2020}}</ref> By 17 March, IATA had stated that its 5 March estimate was "outdated", and that airlines would require $200 billion in bailouts to survive the crisis.<ref>{{cite news|date=17 March 2020|title=Airlines Need Up to $200 Billion to Survive Virus, IATA Says|language=en|work=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-17/airlines-need-up-to-200-bailout-to-survive-virus-iata-warns|access-date=19 March 2020}}</ref> IATA further revised their revenue loss estimate on 24 March to be $252 billion globally, a 44 percent drop.<ref name="gn26mar">{{cite news|date=30 March 2020|title=Air Canada to cut 16,500 workers|language=en|work=[[FlightGlobal]]|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/strategy/air-canada-to-cut-16500-workers/137622.article|access-date=11 May 2020}}</ref> Another further estimate was published on 14 April, which forecasted a revenue drop of $314 billion (55 percent) and a traffic drop of 48 percent in passenger count for 2020.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Harper|first1=Lewis|date=14 April 2020|title=IATA deepens projected airline revenue loss to $314 billion|work=FlightGlobal|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/strategy/iata-deepens-projected-airline-revenue-loss-to-314-billion/137872.article|access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref>
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[[Oliver Wyman]] reported that Asian airlines reduced their [[available seat miles]] by 23 percent in March 2020.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Coren|first1=Michael J.|date=7 March 2020|title=Coronavirus is spreading turbulence in the airline industry|language=en|work=Quartz|url=https://qz.com/1814007/what-coronavirus-is-doing-to-the-airline-industry/|access-date=10 March 2020}}</ref> In Europe, the impact of the outbreak is expected to accelerate [[Consolidation (business)|corporate consolidation]] in the airline industry.<ref>{{cite news|date=9 March 2020|title=Coronavirus to drive European airline industry shakeout|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-europe-airlines-an/coronavirus-to-drive-european-airline-industry-shakeout-idUSKBN20W1Z4|access-date=10 March 2020}}</ref> According to consultancy CAPA Centre for Aviation, most airlines would be bankrupted by the end of May 2020.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ziady|first1=Hanna|date=16 March 2020|title=Most airlines could be bankrupt by May. Governments will have to help|publisher=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/16/business/airlines-bailouts/index.html|access-date=16 March 2020}}</ref>
Air travel demand rose 2.4 percent year-on-year in January 2020, the lowest it has been since the [[2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull|April 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull]], though travel disruptions due to coronavirus only began in late January.<ref name="pi10mar">{{cite news|date=10 March 2020|title=American, United, Delta cut domestic flights as coronavirus saps demand|work=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]]|url=https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/airlines-american-united-cut-flights-coronavirus-20200310.html|access-date=10 March 2020}}</ref> By March, the number of flights had plummeted, with about 280,000 flights reported between 24 and 30 March 2020 compared to around 780,000 in a similar period the previous year.<ref>{{cite news|date=2 April 2020|title=The toll on travel|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://graphics.reuters.com/HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/FLIGHTS/qzjvqeqrvxm/|access-date=5 April 2020}}</ref> Despite a lack of passengers, regulations regarding [[landing slot|flight slots]] initially compelled British airlines to fly empty planes to European airports to avoid losing their slots.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Paton|first1=Graeme|date=6 March 2020|title=Airlines are flying empty planes to keep slots during the coronavirus crisis|language=en|work=[[The Times]]|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/airlines-are-flying-empty-planes-to-keep-slots-during-the-coronavirus-crisis-c8w33vzqg?wgu=270525_54264_15838557191314_7b9f15f20d&wgexpiry=1591631719
Analysts expect airlines to reduce the size of their fleets as a result of the downturn, and point out that this could be done either by modernising fleets—hastening the retirement of older aircraft and maintaining planned deliveries of new, more fuel-efficient models—or by retaining older planes and reducing capital expenditure on new aircraft.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hemmerdinger|first1=Jon|date=13 April 2020|title=Out with the old jets? How virus-led fleet decisions will impact OEMs, aftermarket providers|language=en|work=FlightGlobal|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/out-with-the-old-jets-how-virus-led-fleet-decisions-will-impact-oems-aftermarket-providers/137859.article}}</ref>
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As traffic may not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024, older, less fuel-efficient, and higher-maintenance aircraft retirement is accelerating, including the [[Boeing 777]], [[Airbus A330]] and [[Airbus A380]].<!--ref name=Flight28oct2020-->
They are replaced with newer [[Airbus A350]] and [[Boeing 787]]s, as a surplus of used aircraft is expected until 2030.<ref name="Flight28oct2020">{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/fleets/pandemic-speeds-retirement-of-older-high-maintenance-aircraft/140831.article |title= Pandemic speeds retirement of older, high-maintenance aircraft |date= 28 October 2020 |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref>
By the third quarter of 2020, [[China Southern]] became the first of the large Chinese carriers to return to profitability, while [[Air China]] and [[China Eastern]] managed to narrow their losses, helped by domestic travel recovery by September after traffic bottomed out in February—but international demand is still in the doldrums.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/china-southern-first-among-big-three-to-return-to-profitability-since-pandemic-began/140908.article |title= China Southern first among 'Big Three' to return to profitability since pandemic began |author= Alfred Chua |date= 31 October 2020 |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref>
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The aggregation of the 66 largest airlines with public financials{{efn|not included: Air India, Globalia (Air Europa’s parent), Hainan Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, South African Airways, and Virgin Australia}} showed a revenue falling by 60% from $658Bn in 2019 to $262Bn in 2020, while net profits went from $17bn to a $140bn loss, a $157bn decrease.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://leehamnews.com/2021/12/07/hotr-a-near-100bn-equity-hole-to-fill/ |title= A near $100bn Equity Hole to Fill |work= Leeham News |date= Dec 7, 2021}}</ref>
By the end of 2021, the global airline industry had returned to 79% of its pre-Covid size according to [[Airline Business]], using an index from 13 of the largest airline groups: 86% of the workforce size, 96% of the fleet size, 71% of the revenue and 62% of the passenger numbers.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/strategy/airline-business-index-shows-industry-exceeding-three-quarters-of-pre-covid-size/147840.article |title= Airline Business Index shows industry exceeding three-quarters of pre-Covid size |author= Lewis Harper |date= 8 March 2022 |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref>
In the final quarter of 2022, the same index was at 105% of the 2019 activity: 84% of passenger numbers with higher fares due to strong demand and constrained capacity, 97% of the fleet size, 92% of the employee number.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/airline-business-index-shows-global-revenue-surging-above-pre-covid-levels/152453.article |title= Airline Business Index shows global revenue surging above pre-Covid levels |author= Lewis Harper |date= 14 March 2023 |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref>
Sun et al. 's study notes that during the pandemic the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recommends a distance of 1–2 m between passengers at all times. Therefore, in order to maintain appropriate social distancing, airlines in various countries have responded by adjusting the order and method of boarding. For exmple, Delta Air Lines' boarding and seating rules are for middle seats to be empty and rows to be moved from back to front and United Airlines' rules are from back to front, Business class last. Although airlines have adopted a rear-to-front boarding process, studies have shown that this method of boarding is slow and it does not necessarily reduce social proximity.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sun |first1=Xiaoqian |last2=Wandelt |first2=Sebastian |last3=Zheng |first3=Changhong |last4=Zhang |first4=Anming |date=July 2021 |title=COVID-19 pandemic and air transportation: Successfully navigating the paper hurricane |journal=Journal of Air Transport Management |volume=94 |pages=102062 |doi=10.1016/j.jairtraman.2021.102062 |issn=0969-6997|doi-access=free |pmid=33875908 |pmc=8045456 }}</ref>
=== Aerospace manufacturers ===
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Airbus cut its monthly production from 60 to 40 [[Airbus A320 family|A320s]], from 4.5 to two [[Airbus A330|A330]]s, and from nine to six [[Airbus A350|A350]]s.<!--ref name=Flight27oct2020-->
Boeing reduced its output per month from 14 to six [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner|787s]], from five to two [[Boeing 777|777]]s, and [[Boeing 737 MAX|737 Max]] production was already halted, as a rate of 31 per month was targeted by early 2022.<!--ref name=Flight27oct2020-->
[[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]] was expecting Airbus and Boeing to deliver 30 jets monthly each in 2021, mostly for single-aisles.<ref name="Flight27oct2020">{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/more-aircraft-production-rate-cuts-coming-perhaps-analysts-say/140826.article |title= More aircraft production rate cuts coming? Perhaps, analysts say |author= Jon Hemmerdinger |date= 27 October 2020 |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref>
In 2020, deliveries were down by more than 50% compared to 2019, after 10 years of growth.<ref name="Flight23dec2020" />
[[RELX|Cirium]] forecasts a traffic recovery towards 2024 and a 3.3% growth per year over 20-years, needing 43,315 airliner deliveries.<ref name="Flight23dec2020" />
The projection is 8% less than before the crisis, while [[aircraft retirement|retirement]]s are accelerated.<ref name="Flight23dec2020">{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/opinion/looking-past-the-pandemic-to-gauge-future-fleets/141738.article |title= Looking past the pandemic to gauge future fleets |author= Chris Seymour |date= 23 December 2020 |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref>
* [[Airbus]] reduced its wing production on factories in [[Broughton, Flintshire|Broughton]], [[Filton]] and [[Bremen]], and reduced working hours in the sites. Its French and Spanish sites suspended production for several days before a partial resumption on 23 March.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaminski-Morrow |first1=David |title=Airbus temporarily cuts wing production at UK and German sites |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/airbus-temporarily-cuts-wing-production-at-uk-and-german-sites/137545.article |work=[[FlightGlobal]] |date=26 March 2020}}</ref> Monthly production was cut to four A220s, forty A320s, two A330s and six A350s.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/airbus-not-expecting-to-review-production-levels-before-mid-year/138125.article |title= Airbus not expecting to review production levels before mid-year |author= David Kaminski-Morrow |date= 29 April 2020 |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref> Airbus delivered 122 aircraft in the first quarter, 40 fewer than in the previous year, and 60 could not be handed over due to travel restrictions.<!--ref name=Flight29apr2020--> Airliner [[revenue]]s were down 22% to €7.5 billion, [[earnings]] dropped by 82% to €57 million, and their adjusted [[Earnings before interest and taxes|EBIT]] was down 59% to €191 million.<!--ref name=Flight29apr2020--> The company [[free cash flow]] was a negative €8 billion, including the €3.6 billion bribery penalties, similar to the negative €4.3 billion of the previous year without.<!--ref name=Flight29apr2020--> For the first quarter, Airbus' total adjusted EBIT was halved to €281 million, and it made a net loss of €481 million (compared to a €40 million profit in the previous year).<!--ref name=Flight29apr2020--> In 2020, [[capital expenditure]] should be reduced by €700 million to €1.9 billion.<ref name="Flight29apr2020">{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/airbus-concentrates-on-cash-preservation-as-crisis-starts-to-bite/138124.article |title= Airbus concentrates on cash preservation as crisis starts to bite |author= David Kaminski-Morrow |date= 29 April 2020 |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref>
* [[Boeing]] froze hiring and reportedly laid off employees due to a large number of cancellations, which outpaced new orders in February 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Josephs |first1=Leslie |title=Boeing halts hiring, limits overtime as coronavirus poses 'global economic disruption', shares down 13% |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/11/boeing-halts-hiring-effective-immediately-as-coronavirus-poses-global-economic-disruption.html |access-date=11 March 2020 |publisher=CNBC |date=11 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref> On 11 March, it was revealed that Boeing was to exercise its whole US$13.8 billion loan facility (which it secured in February). Prior to the pandemic, Boeing's business had been impacted by [[Boeing 737 MAX groundings|groundings of its 737 MAX aircraft]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Boeing to draw down billions in loan cash as pressure builds |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-loans/boeing-to-draw-down-billions-in-loan-cash-as-pressure-builds-idUKKBN20Y28G |access-date=11 March 2020 |work=Reuters |date=11 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref> By 7 April, Boeing had indefinitely suspended production at [[Boeing South Carolina]] and [[Puget Sound region|Puget Sound]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], completely halting the assembly of its commercial aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bogaisky |first1=Jeremy |title=Boeing Moves To Completely Shut Down Airliner Production |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremybogaisky/2020/04/06/boeing-moves-to-completely-shut-down-airliner-production/ |access-date=7 April 2020 |work=Forbes |date=6 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref> On 21 April, Boeing announced a management structure overhaul.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/boeing-to-restructure-simplify-corporate-functions-amid-changing-industry/138008.article |title= Boeing to restructure, simplify corporate functions amid changing industry |first= Jon |last= Hemmerdinger |date= 22 April 2020 |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref> On 27 May, it announced plans to lay off 12,000 employees, while it reported zero new orders in April 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bushey |first1=Claire |title=Boeing to axe 12,000 US workers even as Max assembly resumes |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ae79cbe1-866c-4c8c-aa3d-7952a07fa09d |access-date=27 May 2020 |work=Financial Times |date=27 May 2020}}</ref> In October, it announced plans to lay off thousands more employees through the following year, with the expectation that it would end 2021 with 19% fewer employees than its pre-pandemic workforce.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Chokshi|first=Niraj|date=28 October 2020|title=Boeing will cut thousands of jobs as its revenue plunges.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/10/28/business/us-economy-coronavirus|access-date=28 October 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
* [[Bombardier Inc.|Bombardier]] on 26 March 2020 announced a suspension of most Canadian production in [[Ontario]] (for 2 weeks) and [[Quebec]] (until 13 April), in addition to halting production in [[Northern Ireland]]. 12,400 Bombardier employees in Canada (70 percent of the workforce) were furloughed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bombardier halts most operations in Canada due to coronavirus |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-bombardier/bombardier-halts-most-operations-in-canada-due-to-coronavirus-idUKKBN21B249 |access-date=26 March 2020 |work=Reuters |date=24 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[CFM International]] deliveries of [[CFM LEAP]] engines across the first nine months of 2020 fell to 622 from 1,316 in the same period in 2019, and 123 [[CFM56]]s against 327, while Leap fleet cycles were down 15% year-on-year and CFM56 cycles were 48% lower.<ref name="Flight30oct2020">{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/aerospace/leap-deliveries-more-than-halved-so-far-this-year/140884.article |title= Leap deliveries more than halved so far this year |author= Dominic Perry |date= 30 October 2020 |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref>
* [[Embraer]] reported deferment of orders of its commercial aircraft.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wolfsteller |first1=Pilar |title=Embraer sees commercial orders deferred, not cancelled |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/embraer-sees-commercial-orders-deferred-not-cancelled/137552.article |access-date=26 March 2020 |work=FlightGlobal |date=26 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref> It also suspended its financial guidance for 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=Planemaker Embraer posts Q4 loss, suspends 2020 guidance due to coronavirus |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/embraer-results/planemaker-embraer-posts-q4-loss-suspends-2020-guidance-due-to-coronavirus-idUKL4N2BJ2ZT |access-date=26 March 2020 |work=Reuters |date=26 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[General Electric]] announced on 23 March 2020 that it would cut one tenth of employees in its [[GE Aviation|jet engine arm]], amounting to around 2,500 employees, in addition to furloughing around half of its maintenance and repair staff.<ref>{{cite news |title=GE to Cut 10% of Aviation Workforce as Coronavirus Grounds Airliners |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ge-to-cut-aviation-workforce-as-coronavirus-grounds-airliners-11584972724 |access-date=29 May 2020 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=23 March 2020}}</ref>
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=== Airports ===
[[File:Parked planes ESA22054270.jpeg|thumb|Parked planes in May 2020 at Victorville, California; Teruel, Spain; Lourdes, France; Alice Springs, Australia]]
[[File:Schiphol Airport Queues to the Security Control June 2022.jpg|thumb|Queues to the security control at [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol]] in June 2022]]
* From March 2020, various United States airlines stored hundreds of disused aircraft at [[Southern California Logistics Airport]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Estacio |first=Martin |date=24 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus: As air travel drops, demand for plane storage jumps at Southern California Logistics Airport |url=https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20200324/coronavirus-as-air-travel-drops-demand-for-plane-storage-jumps-at-southern-california-logistics-airport |work=[[Daily Press (California)|Daily Press]] |location=Victorville, California |access-date=19 August 2020 |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929114027/https://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20200324/coronavirus-as-air-travel-drops-demand-for-plane-storage-jumps-at-southern-california-logistics-airport |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Arnold |first=Kyle |date=30 March 2020 |title=Southwest Airlines CEO: We're parking more planes and cutting spending as COVID-19 challenge grows |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2020/03/30/southwest-airlines-ceo-were-parking-more-planes-and-cutting-spending-as-covid-19-challenge-grows/ |url-access=limited |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |location=Dallas, Texas }}</ref> and [[Roswell International Air Center]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.krqe.com/health/coronavirus-new-mexico/roswell-airport-becomes-parking-hub-for-grounded-planes-due-to-pandemic/ |title=Roswell airport becomes parking hub for grounded planes due to pandemic |first=Corey |last=King |publisher=[[KRQE]] |location=Albuquerque, New Mexico |date=8 May 2020 }}</ref>
* Runways and taxiways at [[Frankfurt Airport]], Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and [[Tulsa International Airport]] were closed and used as aircraft storage areas by [[Lufthansa]], Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-airport-runways-taxiways-used-for-aircraft-storage-2020-3 |title=Delta, American, and other airlines are parking planes on closed runways at major airports as carriers struggle to store grounded airliners |first=Thomas |last=Pallini |work=[[Business Insider]] |date=26 March 2020}}</ref>
* [[Ciudad Real International Airport]] and [[Madrid Airport]] benefited from medical equipment cargo corridors from China.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grupo Oesía gestiona la logística de los vuelos de Iberia a China |url=https://www.infodefensa.com/es/2020/03/30/noticia-grupo-oesia-gestiona-logistica-vuelos-iberia-china.html |website=[[Info Defensa]] |date=30 March 2020 |
* By mid-April 2020, [[Airports Council International]] (ACI) observed a 95% fall in traffic in 18 airports in major aviation markets in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/air-transport/traffic-at-asia-pacific-airports-hits-rock-bottom-aci/138010.article |title= Traffic at Asia-Pacific airports hits 'rock bottom': ACI |date= 22 April 2020 |work= FlightGlobal}}</ref>
* On 27 April 2020, [[Westchester County Airport]] closed to airlines for about a month for a major runway repaving project, which was originally scheduled to be undertaken in stages late at night over the span of four months. The decision to close and expedite the project was made because the number of daily flights had fallen drastically. This was the first total closure of a United States commercial airport for pandemic-related reasons.<ref>{{cite news |last=Negroni |first=Christine |date=23 April 2020 |title=Few Travelers, Few Flights and Now, a Total Airport Shutdown |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/23/nyregion/westchester-county-airport-closing-coronavirus.html |url-access=limited |work=[[The New York Times]] |location=New York City }}</ref>
* Various airlines from outside Australia stored aircraft at [[Alice Springs Airport]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/coronavirus-the-alice-becomes-a-3bn-aircraft-wonderland/news-story/f986c357d4f21744df9e6140ba8d128e |title=Alice transformed into aircraft haven |first=Robyn |last=Ironside |newspaper=[[The Australian]] |date=4 May 2020 }}</ref>
* On 5 May 2020, ACI World estimated that in 2020, passenger traffic worldwide would amount to less than half of what was previously projected for the year.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://aci.aero/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/200505-Third-Economic-Impact-Bulletin-FINAL.pdf |title= Economic impact assessment of COVID-19 on the airport business: ACI |date= 5 May 2020 |work= ACI World |access-date= 6 May 2020 |archive-date= 16 March 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210316013837/https://aci.aero/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/200505-Third-Economic-Impact-Bulletin-FINAL.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref>
* UK airports axed expansion plans valued at £1 billion.<ref name="Price-21May2020">{{cite news |last1=Price |first1=David |title=UK airports to axe £1bn of projects: construction's latest setback |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/civils/uk-airports-to-axe-1bn-of-projects-constructions-latest-setback-21-05-2020/ |work=Construction News |date=21 May 2020}}</ref>
* In May 2020, [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport]] (DFW) was the world's busiest airport [[List of busiest airports by aircraft movements|measured by aircraft movements]] despite significantly lower traffic than normal. [[American Airlines]] diminished [[Point-to-point transit|point-to-point]] routes and instead sent flights through its DFW [[Airline hub|hub]], creating traffic volumes surpassing those at the normally busier [[O'Hare International Airport]] and [[Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport]] by substantial margins.<ref name="DMN_AA_Jun4">{{cite news |last=Arnold |first=Kyle |date=4 June 2020 |title=DFW becomes the world's busiest airport during COVID-19 downturn |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2020/06/04/dfw-becomes-the-worlds-busiest-airport-during-covid-19-downturn/ |url-access=limited |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |location=Dallas, Texas }}</ref>
* In May 2020, [[Salt Lake City International Airport]] reported that an in-progress redevelopment project would be sped up by as much as two years by the pandemic. Lower passenger numbers meant that larger areas of the airport could be closed much earlier than expected for demolition and renovation, saving up to $300 million for the project overall.<ref name="DESNEWSpandemic">{{cite web |last1=McKellar |first1=Katie |title=Pandemic could shorten Salt Lake airport rebuild by 2 years, save $300M |url=https://www.deseret.com/utah/2020/5/25/21267586/salt-lake-city-international-airport-coronavirus-rebuild-construction-covid-19-save-millions |website=Deseret News |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602130500/https://www.deseret.com/utah/2020/5/25/21267586/salt-lake-city-international-airport-coronavirus-rebuild-construction-covid-19-save-millions |archive-date=2 June 2020 |language=en |date=25 May 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Orly Airport]] in Paris was closed to commercial traffic from 1 April to 25 June 2020.{{
* In Europe, some of the airports that saw the most parked airliners during the pandemic were [[Ciudad Real International Airport]], [[Madrid Airport]], [[Teruel Airport]] and [[Istanbul Airport]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yébenes |first1=Julia |title=El aeropuerto de Ciudad Real es el tercero de España y el octavo de Europa en almacenamiento de aeronaves, según Eurocontrol |url=https://www.lanzadigital.com/provincia/el-aeropuerto-de-ciudad-real-es-el-tercero-de-espana-y-el-octavo-de-europa-en-almacenamiento-de-aeronaves-segun-eurocontrol/ |website=[[Lanza Digital]] |date= 1 October 2020 }}</ref>
* In late October 2020, [[Airports Council International Europe|ACI Europe]] stated that 193 (mostly regional) of the 740 airports in Europe were risking bankruptcy.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/coronavirus-travel-economy-193-european-airports-risk-closure-due-to-crisis-industry-lobby/ |title=193 European airports at risk of closure due to crisis, says industry lobby |author=Mari Eccles |work=[[Politico Europe]] |date=27 October 2020}}</ref>
* Coronavirus related travel restrictions imposed in 2020 reduced traffic by 70% at the Dubai International Airport. The number of travellers through this tourism hub dropped to 25.9 million in 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-15/dubai-airports-traffic-slumps-70-in-2020-on-covid-19-lockdowns|title=Dubai Airports Traffic Slumps 70% in 2020 on Covid-19 Lockdowns|date=15 February 2021|agency=Bloomberg}}</ref>
* As compared to Q1 of 2020, Dubai International Airport's passenger traffic has plunged 67.8% to reach 5.75 million in Q1 of 2021. Along with the main airports in Tokyo, Los Angeles, London, Chicago and Paris, Dubai has also dropped out of the top 10 rankings for total passengers last year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/aviation/dubai-international-airport-s-q1-passenger-traffic-slips-but-cargo-volumes-rise-1.1212679|title=Dubai International Airport's Q1 passenger traffic slips but cargo volumes rise|date=28 April 2021|publisher=The National News}}</ref>
* On 17 July 2021, ACI World estimated that global passenger traffic in 2020 was reduced by over 5.9 billion passengers, a loss of 62.3% of what was estimated for the year.<ref name="ACI14jul2021" /> In 2021, the loss is estimated at just over 5 billion passengers, representing 50.9% of the total estimated for the year.<ref name="ACI14jul2021">{{Cite web|title=The impact of COVID-19 on the airport business and the path to recovery - ACI World|date=14 July 2021|url=https://aci.aero/2021/07/14/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-the-airport-business-and-the-path-to-recovery-2/}}</ref>
* In Summer 2022, many airports experienced extraordinary long delays and a large number of cancelled flights, as a consequence of the pandemic. In particular, at [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol]], the pandemic led to recession of air traffic and subsequently to the shortage of security staff and walkout of baggage handlers, which resulted in hours long queues.<ref>{{cite news |title=Schiphol airport braces itself for summer of long queues and chaos |url=https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2022/06/schiphol-airport-braces-itself-for-summer-of-long-queues-and-chaos/ |work=DutchNews.nl |date=1 June 2022}}</ref>
=== Regulators ===
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* On 1 May 2020, citing uncertainty about COVID-19 social restrictions imposed by the state of [[Wisconsin]], the [[Experimental Aircraft Association]] canceled [[EAA AirVenture Oshkosh]] for 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cobb |first=Alyssa J. |title=EAA AirVenture canceled |url=https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2020/may/01/eaa-airventure-canceled |website=aopa.org |location=Frederick, Maryland |publisher=[[Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association]] |date=1 May 2020 |access-date=20 May 2020 }}</ref>
* [[Air charter]] company [[JetSuite]] ceased flight operations on 15 April 2020 and its parent company filed for bankruptcy on 28 April 2020; CEO [[Alex Wilcox]] attributed the company's collapse to a 90% drop in business due to widespread stay-at-home orders.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Donnell |first=Paul |date=28 April 2020 |title=Dallas private aviation service JetSuite's parent company files for bankruptcy |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2020/04/28/dallas-private-aviation-business-jetsuite-files-for-bankruptcy/ |url-access=limited |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=28 April 2020 }}</ref>
* Travel technology company [[Sabre Corporation]] furloughed one third of its workforce on 23 April 2020, citing an 81% drop in revenue due to drastically reduced airline and other travel bookings. Sabre had previously cut salaries by 20%, suspended [[401(k)]] pension contributions, cut various other expenses, and obtained a US$1.1 billion loan, but these steps reportedly failed to offset losses.<ref name="DMN_JetSuite_23Apr">{{cite news |last=Arnold |first=Kyle |date=23 April 2020 |title=Southlake travel tech firm Sabre furloughing one-third of workers |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2020/04/23/southlake-travel-tech-firm-sabre-furloughing-one-third-of-workers/ |url-access=limited |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |location=Dallas, Texas |access-date=24 April 2020 }}</ref>
== By country ==
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[[File:Nearly empty international departures area at PEK amid the COVID-19 pandemic.jpg|thumb|[[Beijing Capital International Airport]], empty]]
[[File:A nearly empty flight from PEK to LAX amid the COVID-19 pandemic 1.jpg|thumb|A nearly empty flight from Beijing to Los Angeles]]
{{
* '''Argentina''': The government suspended domestic flights in March 2020 during the beginning of the pandemic in the country and imposed restriction of international flights for several months. In June 2021, the government imposed a daily limit of 600 entries per day to prevent the entry of the [[SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ya rige el nuevo límite de ingreso a pasajeros internacionales |trans-title=The new entry limit for international passengers is already in force|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/351113-ya-rige-el-nuevo-limite-de-ingreso-a-pasajeros-internacional |access-date=3 July 2021 |work=[[Página 12]] |date=28 June 2021 |language=Spanish}}</ref> On 3 July 2021, domestic flights resumed between some cities in the country.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flybondi reanuda servicios tras las restricciones causadas por la pandemia en Argentina | trans-title=Flybondi resumes services after restrictions caused by the pandemic in Argentina|url=https://es.mercopress.com/2021/07/03/flybondi-reanuda-servicios-tras-las-restricciones-causadas-por-la-pandemia-en-argentina |access-date=3 July 2021 |agency=[[Merco Press]] |date=3 July 2021 |language=Spanish}}</ref>
* '''Canada''': Canadians were advised to avoid non-essential travel on 13 March 2020, while Canadian border was closed except for Canadian citizens and permanent residents on 16 March ([[Canada–United States border]] closed later on 18 March).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Staples |first1=David |title=The road to Canada's COVID-19 outbreak, Pt. 3: timeline of federal government failure at border to slow the virus |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/national/the-road-to-canadas-covid-19-outbreak-pt-3-timeline-of-federal-government-failure-at-border-to-slow-the-virus/ |work=Edmonton Journal |access-date=5 August 2020}}</ref> Essential travel is exempted, and international travellers must enter through [[Calgary International Airport]], [[Vancouver International Airport]], [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]], or [[Montréal–Trudeau International Airport]] with mandatory 14 days' quarantine.<ref>{{cite web |author=Government of Canada |title=Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Canada's response |date=29 October 2020 |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/canadas-reponse.html}}</ref> The border closure has been extended multiple times and remained closed until at least 21 August.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aiello |first1=Rachel |title=PM Trudeau confirms Canada-U.S. border closure extending to Aug. 21 |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/pm-trudeau-confirms-canada-u-s-border-closure-extending-to-aug-21-1.5027167 |website=CTV News |date=16 July 2020 |publisher=Ottawa News Bureau Online Producer |access-date=5 August 2020}}</ref> Most transborder flights have been cancelled since late March due to the lack in demand.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Karp |first1=Aaron |title=Canadian airlines react to border closure with significant cuts |url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/29/breaking-news/290367/canadian-airlines-react-to-border-closure-with-significant-cuts/ |website=RoutesOnline |access-date=5 August 2020}}</ref> The prolonged international travel ban resulted in [[Air Canada]]'s loss of C$1.75 billion in August and they have since urged for easing in travel restrictions.<ref>{{cite news |last1=MacGregor |first1=Sandra |title=Air Canada Posts Loses Of 1.75 Billion, Urges Easing Of Travel Restrictions |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sandramacgregor/2020/08/02/air-canada-posts-loses-of-175-billion-urges-easing-of-travel-restrictions/ |access-date=5 August 2020 |work=Forbes |date=2 August 2020}}</ref>
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* '''Fiji''': In April 2020, [[Fiji Airways]] suspended all international flights and the [[Nadi International Airport|main international airport]] in [[Nadi]] was closed.<ref>{{Cite web|last=News|first=Indra Singh Manager|title=Nadi Airport to close, shipping services end Sunday|url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/covid-19/nadi-airport-to-close-shipping-services-end-sunday/|access-date=4 July 2020|website=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref> As a result, the national airline terminated more than 700 employees.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fiji Airways terminations, no other option says PM|url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/covid-19/fiji-airways-terminations-no-other-option-says-pm/|access-date=4 July 2020|website=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Fiji Airways is not making any money|url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/business/fiji-airways-is-not-making-any-money/|access-date=4 July 2020|website=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref> On 26 May, the government issued guarantees in support of FJ$450 million (US$208 million) worth of initiatives aimed at strengthening Fiji Airway's cash reserves.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Support by government will bolster Fiji Airways operations|url=https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/covid-19/support-by-government-will-bolster-fiji-airways-operations/|access-date=4 July 2020|website=Fiji Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref>
* '''India''': Indian airlines are estimated to report a loss of US$600 million (not including state-owned [[Air India]]) for the January–March quarter. The government of India is planning a rescue package for the aviation industry for as much as ₹120 billion (US$1.6 billion).<ref>{{cite news |title=India mulls up to $1.6 billion rescue plan for aviation sector after coronavirus |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/india-mulls-up-to-1-6-billion-rescue-plan-for-aviation-sector-after-coronavirus/articleshow/74702715.cms?from=mdr |access-date=5 April 2020 |work=The Economic Times |date=19 March 2020}}</ref>
* '''Indonesia''': On 2 April 2020, Indonesia banned foreigners from entering their borders. Starting on 24 April, all passenger flights, except those carrying medical personnel/supplies or repatriating Indonesian citizens from abroad/foreigners from Indonesia, were banned.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mudik Ban; Indonesia Suspends All Commercial Flights |url=https://en.tempo.co/read/1334890/mudik-ban-indonesia-suspends-all-commercial-flights |access-date=24 April 2020 |work=Tempo |date=23 April 2020 |language=id}}</ref> After implementing health guidelines, the ban on passenger flights was lifted on 7 May, starting with the resumptions of domestic passenger flights.<ref>{{Cite news
* '''Italy''': Due to the outbreak and the ensuing national lockdown, thousands of flights to and from Italy were cancelled.<ref>{{cite news |title=Coronavirus: Airlines cancel thousands of flights |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51818492 |access-date=10 March 2020 |publisher=BBC |date=10 March 2020}}</ref>
* '''Mauritius''': As from March 2020 all international flights to [[Mauritius]] was suspended. The national carrier, [[Air Mauritius]] entered voluntary administration after making losses for quite years.<ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.businesstraveller.com/business-travel/2020/04/23/air-mauritius-goes-into-administration|title=Air Mauritius Goes Into-administration |access-date=28 April 2020 |work= Business Traveller |date= 23 April 2020}}</ref>
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* '''South Africa''': [[South African Airways]] had been placed in bankruptcy protection in December 2019. However, with the pandemic leading to the complete grounding of all flights, and the government refusing to make more finance available, the airline is heading for a winding down process, or liquidation, depending on the outcome of negotiations with unions and workers on retrenchments.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/business/392217/the-2-options-left-for-saa-wind-down-or-liquidate/ |title=The 2 options left for SAA: wind down or liquidate |language=en-US |access-date=23 April 2020}}</ref>
* '''Turkmenistan''': From March 2020 to prevent the importation and spread of coronavirus infection, all aircraft arriving in Turkmenistan from abroad are redirected to the [[Turkmenabat International Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://turkmenportal.com/blog/25818/aviareisy-izza-predelov-turkmenistana-vremenno-perenapravlyayutsya-v-turkmenabat|title=Авиарейсы из-за пределов Туркменистана временно перенаправляются в Туркменабат | Общество|website=Туркменистан, интернет портал о культурной, деловой и развлекательной жизни в Туркменистане|access-date=25 March 2020}}</ref> Passengers arriving from outside of Turkmenistan are carried screened for signs of active infection, in particular, body temperature is measured. Visitors who are flagged during screening are transported to an allocated hospital. The airport medical center is equipped with personal protective equipment. After passing a medical examination, the plane, together with passengers on board, leaves for Ashgabat. Departures from Turkmenistan are carried out from [[Ashgabat International Airport]]. Persons authorized solely for diplomatic, official, humanitarian purposes are allowed to enter the territory of Turkmenistan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Информация для граждан Республики Беларусь, рекомендации Посольства в связи с коронавирусом – Посольство Республики Беларусь в Туркменистане|url=http://turkmenistan.mfa.gov.by/ru/embassy/news/d803cc8d80e70872.html|website=turkmenistan.mfa.gov.by|language=ru|trans-title=Information for citizens of the Republic of Belarus, recommendations of the Embassy in connection with the coronavirus – Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Turkmenistan|access-date=25 March 2020}}</ref>
* '''United Kingdom''': On 22 February 2021, UK's PM Boris Johnson announced that leisure travel overseas will not start until 17 May.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/international-travel-abroad-summer-holidays-b1805663.html|title=International travel banned until 17 May at earliest|access-date=22 February 2021|work=The Independent|date=19 October 2009 }}</ref>▼
* '''United States''': Multiple airlines waived fees for flight booking changes and cancellations during the coronavirus outbreak following a request from Sen. [[Richard Blumenthal]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nguyen |first1=Terry |title=How the coronavirus outbreak is affecting US airlines |url=https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/3/5/21166359/us-airlines-coronavirus-cancel-flights-waiving-fees |access-date=10 March 2020 |work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |date=5 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Between 20 January and 7 March 2020, stock prices in US airlines decreased by 30 percent.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Assis |first1=Claudia |title=Airline stocks slammed by coronavirus fears, but experts say reaction may be overdone |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/airline-stocks-slammed-by-coronavirus-fears-but-experts-say-reaction-may-be-overdone-2020-03-06 |access-date=10 March 2020 |work=[[MarketWatch]] |date=7 March 2020}}</ref> Flight fares for domestic flights also dropped.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nguyen |first1=Terry |title=Plane ticket prices are dropping because of the coronavirus |url=https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/3/10/21172001/coronavirus-cheap-plane-ticket-prices |access-date=10 March 2020 |work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |date=10 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
:On 25 March, the [[United States Senate]] passed a bill that would allocate $58 billion in loans and guarantees to aviation-related companies, including $25 billion for passenger carriers and $4 billion for cargo carriers, plus $17 billion for companies "critical to maintaining national security", such as Boeing. The airlines accepting the package would be barred from increasing executive pay, issuing dividends, or buying back shares during the aid period.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Slotnick |first1=David |title=Airlines would get the $60 billion bailout they asked for in the new Senate coronavirus stimulus bill, which would prohibit layoffs and ban stock buybacks and dividends |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/airlines-coronavirus-bailout-senate-stock-buybacks-2020-3?r=US&IR=T |access-date=26 March 2020 |work=Business Insider |date=25 March 2020}}</ref>
:On 3 September 2020, the CEO of the lobbying group [[Airlines for America]] said "We don't see it [demand] fully rebounding until 2024...Right now, we're fighting for survival."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Blum|first=Jeremy|date=3 September 2020|title=U.S. Airline Industry Says It Won't Bounce Back From COVID-19 Until 2024|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/us-airline-industry-covid-19-2024_n_5f515e90c5b62b3add3df31b|access-date=4 September 2020|website=HuffPost|language=en}}</ref>
* '''Vietnam''': Despite Vietnam's success in containing the epidemic, [[Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam]] (CAAV) said the aviation industry is in the worst situation in 60 years of development. Of the 234 Vietnam registered aircraft, more than 200 were grounded while airlines still have to spend hundreds millions dollars to maintain operations such as: aircraft leasing cost, paying for employee, aircraft maintenance and apron parking fee.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vietnamnet.vn/vn/thoi-su/an-toan-giao-thong/hang-khong-khong-phai-thiet-hai-bao-nhieu-ma-la-cuu-van-bao-nhieu-do-corona-630961.html|title=Hàng không không phải là thiệt hại bao nhiêu mà là cứu vãn được bao nhiêu|publisher=Vietnamnet|language=vi}}</ref> [[Vietnam Airlines]] estimates its 2020 revenues could decline by US$2.1 billion. This has seen as many as 10,000 employees of the national flag carrier, over 50% of its staff strength, taking unpaid leave. Duong Tri Thanh, CEO of Vietnam Airlines stressing that the carrier was going through the hardest time in its history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://e.vnexpress.net/news/business/companies/10-000-vietnam-airlines-staff-take-unpaid-leave-over-covid-19-crisis-4079000.html|title=10,000 Vietnam Airlines staff take unpaid leave over Covid-19 crisis|publisher=[[VnExpress]]|language=en}}</ref>
▲* '''United Kingdom''': On 22 February 2021, UK's PM Boris Johnson announced that leisure travel overseas will not start until 17 May.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/international-travel-abroad-summer-holidays-b1805663.html|title=International travel banned until 17 May at earliest|access-date=22 February 2021|work=The Independent}}</ref>
== Environmental impacts ==
== Travel and virus spread ==▼
{{Main|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environment}}
The use of aeroplanes by travelers has been implicated in the spread of the coronavirus.<ref name="McKeever2020">{{cite web |last1=McKeever |first1=Amy |title=Here's how coronavirus spreads on a plane—and the safest place to sit |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/01/how-coronavirus-spreads-on-a-plane/ |work=[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]] |access-date=20 April 2020 |language=en |date=6 March 2020}}</ref> The [[World Health Organization]] noted that "Transmission of infection may occur between passengers who are seated in the same area of an aircraft, usually as a result of the infected individual coughing or sneezing or by touch".<ref name="Passy2020">{{cite web |last1=Passy |first1=Jacob |title=Should I cancel my flight? Does recirculated air on a plane spread coronavirus? Here's what you need to know before traveling |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/should-i-cancel-my-flight-will-recirculated-air-on-a-plane-spread-coronavirus-heres-what-you-need-to-know-before-traveling-2020-03-06 |publisher=[[MarketWatch]] |access-date=20 April 2020 |language=en |date=14 March 2020}}</ref> Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, many airline tickets have been sold at discount<ref name="Hoffower20200320"/> and some buyers attended [[spring break]] celebrations despite warnings to remain at home.<ref name="Hoffower20200320">{{cite web |last1=Hoffower |first1=Hillary |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-millennials-say-its-gen-z-partying-ignoring-warnings-2020-3 |title='It's Gen Z you want': Millennials are defending themselves from accusations that they're out partying and ignoring warnings amid the coronavirus pandemic |work=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=20 April 2020 |language=en |date=23 March 2020}}</ref> A multitude of young adults have tested positive for the coronavirus upon returning from spring break celebrations; among those from [[Texas]] vacationing in [[Cabo San Lucas]] were forty-four positive persons.<ref name="Hoffower20200402">{{cite web |last1=Hoffower |first1=Hillary |title=44 Texas spring breakers who partied in Cabo have tested positive for the coronavirus |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-spring-breakers-cabo-texas-test-postive-2020-3 |work=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=20 April 2020 |language=en |date=2 April 2020}}</ref>▼
The sharp and lasting decline in planned air travel throughout the pandemic had a beneficial effect of global climate change.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Adhikari |first1=Arpita |last2=Sengupta |first2=Joydip |last3=Hussain |first3=Chaudhery Mustansar |title=Declining carbon emission/concentration during COVID-19: A critical review on temporary relief |journal=Carbon Trends |date=1 October 2021 |volume=5 |pages=100131 |doi=10.1016/j.cartre.2021.100131 |pmid=38620883 |language=en |issn=2667-0569|pmc=8590614 |bibcode=2021CarbT...500131A }}</ref> The effects of COVID-19 lockdowns were subject of the first quantitative research on large-scale modal shifts and [[Air travel demand reduction|demand reduction in aviation]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sharmina |first1=M. |last2=Edelenbosch |first2=O. Y. |last3=Wilson |first3=C. |last4=Freeman |first4=R. |last5=Gernaat |first5=D. E. H. J. |last6=Gilbert |first6=P. |last7=Larkin |first7=A. |last8=Littleton |first8=E. W. |last9=Traut |first9=M. |last10=van Vuuren |first10=D. P. |last11=Vaughan |first11=N. E. |last12=Wood |first12=F. R. |last13=Le Quéré |first13=C. |title=Decarbonising the critical sectors of aviation, shipping, road freight and industry to limit warming to 1.5–2°C |journal=Climate Policy |date=21 April 2021 |volume=21 |issue=4 |pages=455–474 |doi=10.1080/14693062.2020.1831430 |bibcode=2021CliPo..21..455S |language=en |issn=1469-3062|doi-access=free |url=https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/409444/Decarbonising_the_critical_sectors_of_aviation_shipping_road_freight_and_industry_to_limit_warming_to_1_5_2_C.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y }}</ref> It illustrated that a significant share of business travel is not necessary<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gössling |first1=Stefan |last2=Dolnicar |first2=Sara |title=A review of air travel behavior and climate change |journal=WIREs Climate Change |date=January 2023 |volume=14 |issue=1 |doi=10.1002/wcc.802 |language=en |issn=1757-7780|doi-access=free |bibcode=2023WIRCC..14E.802G }}</ref> and advanced or increased the adoption of various methods and technologies to mitigate air travel demand.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Guillen-Royo |first1=Mònica |title=Flying less, mobility practices, and well-being: lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway |journal=Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy |date=9 December 2022 |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=278–291 |doi=10.1080/15487733.2022.2043682 |language=en |issn=1548-7733|doi-access=free |bibcode=2022SSPP...18..278G }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Klöwer |first1=Milan |title=Reducing air travel by small amounts each year could level off the climate impact |url=https://theconversation.com/reducing-air-travel-by-small-amounts-each-year-could-level-off-the-climate-impact-171184 |website=The Conversation |date=5 November 2021}}</ref><ref name="10.1080/15487733.2022.2043682">{{cite journal |last1=Guillen-Royo |first1=Mònica |title=Flying less, mobility practices, and well-being: lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway |journal=Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy |date=9 December 2022 |volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=278–291 |doi=10.1080/15487733.2022.2043682|s2cid=247513733 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2022SSPP...18..278G }}</ref><ref name="10.1038/s41467-021-27251-2">{{cite journal |last1=Tao |first1=Yanqiu |last2=Steckel |first2=Debbie |last3=Klemeš |first3=Jiří Jaromír |last4=You |first4=Fengqi |title=Trend towards virtual and hybrid conferences may be an effective climate change mitigation strategy |journal=Nature Communications |date=16 December 2021 |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=7324 |doi=10.1038/s41467-021-27251-2 |pmid=34916499 |pmc=8677730 |bibcode=2021NatCo..12.7324T |language=en |issn=2041-1723}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Stoll |first1=Christian |last2=Mehling |first2=Michael Arthur |title=COVID-19: Clinching the Climate Opportunity |journal=One Earth |date=23 October 2020 |volume=3 |issue=4 |pages=400–404 |doi=10.1016/j.oneear.2020.09.003 |pmid=34173539 |pmc=7508545 |bibcode=2020OEart...3..400S |language=English |issn=2590-3330}}</ref><ref name="10.3390/en15249650">{{cite journal |last1=Fragkos |first1=Panagiotis |title=Decarbonizing the International Shipping and Aviation Sectors |journal=Energies |date=January 2022 |volume=15 |issue=24 |pages=9650 |doi=10.3390/en15249650 |language=en |issn=1996-1073 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
Although a [[HEPA]] filter captures 99.97 percent of airborne particles, it does not account for air that does not go through the filter and many airlines have required passengers to wear masks during the flight.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 August 2020 |title=How clean is the air on planes? |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/2020/08/how-clean-is-the-air-on-your-airplane-coronavirus-cvd/ |access-date=15 October 2020 |website=Travel |language=en}}</ref> According to the US [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]], pathogens do not spread easily on flights, but prolonged proximity still presents a danger of infection.<ref>{{Cite web|last=CDC|date=11 February 2020|title=Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)|url=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html|access-date=4 November 2020|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|language=en-us}}</ref>▼
▲== Travel and virus spread ==
▲The use of aeroplanes by travelers has been implicated in the spread of the coronavirus.<ref name="McKeever2020">{{cite web |last1=McKeever |first1=Amy |title=Here's how coronavirus spreads on a plane—and the safest place to sit |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/01/how-coronavirus-spreads-on-a-plane/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129025517/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/01/how-coronavirus-spreads-on-a-plane/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 January 2020 |work=[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]] |access-date=20 April 2020 |language=en |date=6 March 2020}}</ref> The [[World Health Organization]] noted that "Transmission of infection may occur between passengers who are seated in the same area of an aircraft, usually as a result of the infected individual coughing or sneezing or by touch".<ref name="Passy2020">{{cite web |last1=Passy |first1=Jacob |title=Should I cancel my flight? Does recirculated air on a plane spread coronavirus? Here's what you need to know before traveling |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/should-i-cancel-my-flight-will-recirculated-air-on-a-plane-spread-coronavirus-heres-what-you-need-to-know-before-traveling-2020-03-06 |publisher=[[MarketWatch]] |access-date=20 April 2020 |language=en |date=14 March 2020}}</ref> Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, many airline tickets have been sold at discount<ref name="Hoffower20200320" /> and some buyers attended [[spring break]] celebrations despite warnings to remain at home.<ref name="Hoffower20200320">{{cite web |last1=Hoffower |first1=Hillary |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-millennials-say-its-gen-z-partying-ignoring-warnings-2020-3 |title='It's Gen Z you want': Millennials are defending themselves from accusations that they're out partying and ignoring warnings amid the coronavirus pandemic |work=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=20 April 2020 |language=en |date=23 March 2020}}</ref> A multitude of young adults have tested positive for the coronavirus upon returning from spring break celebrations; among those from [[Texas]] vacationing in [[Cabo San Lucas]] were forty-four positive persons.<ref name="Hoffower20200402">{{cite web |last1=Hoffower |first1=Hillary |title=44 Texas spring breakers who partied in Cabo have tested positive for the coronavirus |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-spring-breakers-cabo-texas-test-postive-2020-3 |work=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=20 April 2020 |language=en |date=2 April 2020}}</ref>
▲Although a [[HEPA]] filter captures 99.97 percent of airborne particles, it does not account for air that does not go through the filter and many airlines have required passengers to wear masks during the flight.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 August 2020 |title=How clean is the air on planes? |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/2020/08/how-clean-is-the-air-on-your-airplane-coronavirus-cvd/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828172112/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/2020/08/how-clean-is-the-air-on-your-airplane-coronavirus-cvd/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 August 2020 |access-date=15 October 2020 |website=Travel |language=en}}</ref> According to the US [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]], pathogens do not spread easily on flights, but prolonged proximity still presents a danger of infection.<ref>{{Cite web|last=CDC|date=11 February 2020|title=Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)|url=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html|access-date=4 November 2020|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|language=en-us}}</ref>[[File:Delta Aircraft Cleaning - 49656588072.jpg|thumb|Aircraft cabin disinfection]]
== Hazard controls ==
{{Further|Workplace hazard controls for COVID-19}}
Line 184 ⟶ 203:
On 23 November 2020, [[Qantas]] announced that the company will ask for proof of COVID-19 vaccination from international travelers. According to Alan Joyce, the firm's CEO, a coronavirus vaccine would become a "necessity" when travelling, "We are looking at changing our terms and conditions to say for international travellers, we will ask people to have a vaccination before they can get on the aircraft."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/8a59043d-df0d-45c1-b870-2780f06c5d1e|title= Qantas to demand proof of Covid vaccination from international passengers|work=[[Financial Times]]|author=Phillip Georgiadis|date=23 November 2020|access-date=23 November 2020}}</ref> Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison subsequently announced that all international travellers who fly to Australia without proof of a COVID-19 vaccination will be required to quarantine at their own expense.<ref name="Morrison">{{Cite news |url=https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/health-safety/pm-scott-morrison-signals-tough-new-covid19-vaccine-rules-for-international-travellers-who-fly-to-australia/news-story/ccb7e190eba5fa9a38a3d67408ab75f5 |title=PM Scott Morrison signals tough new COVID-19 vaccine rules for international travellers who fly to Australia |author=Samantha Maiden |work=News.com.au |date=25 November 2020 |access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> Victoria Premier [[Daniel Andrews]] and the CEOs of [[Melbourne Airport]], [[Brisbane Airport]] and [[Flight Centre]] all supported the Morrison government's "no jab, no fly" policy, with only [[Sydney Airport]]'s CEO suggesting advanced testing might also be sufficient to eliminate quarantine in the future.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/no-jab-no-fly-covid-19-vaccine-key-to-opening-borders-travel-leaders-say-20201125-p56hu8.html |title='No jab, no fly': COVID-19 vaccine key to opening borders, travel leaders say |author=Patrick Hatch |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=26 November 2020 |access-date=28 November 2020}}</ref> The [[International Air Transport Association]] (IATA) announced that it was almost finished with developing a digital health pass which states air passengers' COVID-19 testing and vaccination information to airlines and governments.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/527315-airlines-discussing-requiring-proof-of-covid-19-vaccination-for-air-travel |title=Airlines discussing requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for passengers: report |author=Cameron Jenkins |work=The Hill |date=24 November 2020 |access-date=24 November 2020}}</ref>
[[Korean Air]] and [[Air New Zealand]] were seriously considering mandatory vaccination as well, but would negotiate it with their respective governments.<ref name="mull">{{Cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/24/airlines-telegraph-mandatory-covid-vaccines-for-intl-passengers |title=Airlines mull mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for int'l passengers |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=24 November 2020 |access-date=24 November 2020}}</ref> KLM CEO Pieter Elbers responded on 24 November that KLM does not yet have any plans for mandatory vaccination on its flights.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://nltimes.nl/2020/11/24/klm-plans-make-covid-vaccine-mandatory-may-need-govt-support |title=KLM: No plans to make Covid vaccine mandatory; May need more gov't support |work=NLTimes |date=24 November 2020 |access-date=24 November 2020}}</ref> Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa said they had no plans yet on requiring passengers to present proof of vaccination before boarding, but Brussels Airport CEO Arnaud Feist agreed with Qantas' policy, stating: "Sooner or later, having proof of vaccination or a negative test will become compulsory."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/news/business/142214/brussels-airlines-will-not-make-proof-of-coronavirus-vaccination-mandatory-lufthansa-rapid-covid-19-qantas-alan-joyce-brussels-airport-arnaud-feist-iata/ |title=Brussels Airlines will not make proof of coronavirus vaccination mandatory |work=The Brussels Times |date=24 November 2020 |access-date=25 November 2020}}</ref> Ryanair announced it would not require proof of vaccination for air travel within the EU, EasyJet stated it would not require any proof at all. ''[[The Irish Times]]'' commented that a vaccination certificate for flying was quite common in countries around the world for other diseases, such as for [[yellow fever]] in many African countries.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/covid-jab-ryanair-will-not-ask-for-proof-of-vaccination-within-eu-1.4417851 |title=Covid jab: Ryanair will not ask for proof of vaccination within EU |author=Conor Pope |
[[File:CommonPass Logo.png|thumb|CommonsPass logo]]
Line 191 ⟶ 210:
On 26 November, the Danish Ministry of Health confirmed that it was working on a COVID-19 "vaccine passport", which would likely not only work as proof of vaccination for air travel, but for other activities such as concerts, private parties and access to various businesses, a perspective welcomed by the [[Confederation of Danish Industry]]. The Danish College of General Practitioners also welcomed the project, saying that it doesn't force anyone to vaccinate, but encourages them to do so if they want to enjoy certain privileges in society.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thelocal.dk/20201126/danish-health-ministry-to-develop-covid-19-vaccine-passport |title=Danish health ministry to develop Covid-19 'vaccine passport' |work=The Local DK |date=26 November 2020 |access-date=28 November 2020}}</ref>
Irish Foreign Minister [[Simon Coveney]] said on 27 November 2020 that, although he "currently has no plans" for a passport vaccination stamp, his government was working on changing the [[Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland#Passenger locator form|passenger locator form]] to include proof of PCR negative tests for the coronavirus, and that it was likely to be further adjusted to include vaccination data when a COVID-19 vaccine would become available. Coveney stressed that "We do not want, following enormous efforts and sacrifices from people, to reintroduce the virus again through international travel, which is a danger if it is not managed right."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/system-being-planned-to-allow-vaccinated-airline-passengers-avoid-restrictions-1.4421765 |title=System being planned to allow vaccinated airline passengers avoid restrictions |author=Marie O'Halloran |
=== For employees ===
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