The global pandemic has brought the world to a standstill, adversely affecting the economies and industries across the globe. Aviation industry has also taken a massive blow from the virus outbreak. The global fleet has been grounded for months now after witnessing tremendous growth in the last two decades. The recent promising trends of increasing leisure travel, rise in incomes, global trade etc. had contributed to the accelerated growth of the industry, and a soaring future. The last two decades however, were not without roadblocks. Many incidents caused setbacks to the industry but the resilient the aviation industry has been in overcoming the bumps and speed breakers each time. Few economic drivers have been favorably behind the industry’s efforts to bounce after each disruption. For now, the industry will surely hunker down and focus on survival.
The disruption that COVID has caused to aviation and aerospace industry is deep and wide. However, the underlying economic drivers are the source of optimism for the aviation industry. There is no better alternative to air-travel to cover long distances in a safe and efficient manner. Virtual alternatives can supplement human experience, but cannot replace actual human interactions. As the world starts to restore the pre COVID status, business, trade, tourism and globalization will lead to promising times ahead. Meanwhile the industry player will have to focus on various measures to help their customers as well as themselves to respond, adapt and reinvent for the times to come.