In order to do so, it will be essential to maintain globally standardized biosafety protocols, to weigh the risks in a balanced way, and to apply effective contagion control mechanisms as vaccination campaigns proceed, without further damaging the weakened economy. Recovery will take time and a great deal of effort, but I am convinced that this year we will be able to regain the confidence and so many of the spaces we have lost because of the pandemic. Several studies have shown that cabin air is filtered more often than hospital air, so there is virtually no chance of becoming contagious on an aircraft when biosafety protocols are met, and the entire value chain has been aligned to make the travel experience even safer. The technologies and protocols of our operation make flying the safest means of transport.
The aviation industry has always placed safety as its number one priority, and now biosafety is also its top priority. Looking back, I salute the extraordinary efforts made by the professionals who belong to our industry and who played a key role in continuing to ensure an essential service to the population, in an excellent and safe manner. So, as challenging as it was for all of us, I am proud of being part of this sector that responded with resilience, creativity and commitment. Our industry reached its most difficult time. Meanwhile, the UNWTO estimates decreases from international tourism revenues of between USD $910 billion and USD $1.17 trillion in 2020, as a result of travel restrictions in 100% of destinations globally. 2019, totaling 177.3 million passengers carried in the year, largely in domestic markets and in those that did not stop operating throughout the year, representing 60.3% of total traffic. In our region, we estimate a 59.2% reduction in passenger traffic vs. 2019, and a 60% reduction in passenger traffic with 2.69 billion fewer passengers from 2019.
#CLEAN SLATE PROTOCOL FULL#
A year full of hopes with the beginning of the COVID-19 vaccines global distribution and prospects of recovering step by step in-person activities after a 2020 with human and economic losses, as well as a heavily impacted aviation industry.Īccording to ICAO data, in 2020 there was a 50% overall reduction in seats offered by airlines around the world vs.
We have reached one and a half months of the long-awaited 2021. By Jose Ricardo Botelho, Executive Director and CEO of ALTA