Around 21 years of airline passenger growth has been wiped out in just 11 months since the start of the global pandemic, according to a study into the shocking impact of Covid-19 on travel.
The Airline Insights Review 2020 from aviation data specialist Cirium reveals the damage caused by the pandemic which has reduced passenger numbers to levels last seen in 1999.
From January to December airlines operated 49% fewer flights in 2020 compared to 2019 – down from 33.2 million flights to just 16.8 million (to December 20).
Domestic travel was down 40% in 2020, from 21.5 million flights in 2019, while international flights suffered an even greater dip to 68% below the 11.7 million flights tracked the year before.
Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium, said: “This severe setback shows the true extent of the challenge faced by the struggling aviation sector as it has sought to reset itself in the new post Covid-19 era.
“Whereas this time last year we were celebrating the on-time performance of global carriers, this year is dramatically different. Most global airlines were largely on time in 2020; it’s just a shame that the traveling public, airlines and aviation firms worldwide didn’t benefit.
“The factors which usually cause delay, such as congested airspace, taxiways and late connecting passengers simply did not exist in 2020.”
Ryanair was Europe's busiest airline in 2020 with 207,000 flights.
“Airlines will have a long way to go before returning to 2019 levels particularly as international travel is significantly down and showing only slow signs of recovery," Mr Bowen added.
Cirium predicted aviation will eventually emerge in better shape with younger more fuel-efficient aircraft and fleets - and gradually navigate its way to recovery in the years ahead.
It forecasts there will be greater consolidation of airlines, particularly in Asia-Pacific where more domestic competitors will merge or be acquired.
New-generation aircraft like the A320neo, and the return of the 737 MAX, will provide reduced operating costs for airlines.
Surplus aircraft will be retired, such as the Boeing 747, more planes will be reconfigured for carrying cargo only.
