COVID-19: What will it take for African airlines to bounce back?

The COVID-19 crisis continues to weigh heavily on global airlines and African airlines have not been spared. In the month of January alone demand for African airlines dropped by 63.9%. Alia, Alex Matheras, spoke to CNBC Africa's Julius Bismongo for more. The aviation industry has been facing unprecedented challenges due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The impact has been felt globally, with no region left untouched. However, the path to recovery will vary across different nations and regions. The use of vaccines is expected to play a crucial role in the speed of recovery for many countries. Those with access to vaccines and efficient vaccination programs are likely to bounce back faster than those still in the early stages of their inoculation efforts. Africa falls into the latter category, facing a longer road to recovery due to limited vaccine availability and slower vaccination programs. As a result, African countries are looking to ramp up testing as a key strategy to restart domestic, regional, and international aviation operations. The priority for African airlines is to ensure a robust testing regime to instill confidence in passengers and revive air travel across the continent. Despite the challenges, African airlines have been exploring alternative revenue streams to stay afloat during these turbulent times. Many carriers have pivoted to focus on cargo operations, leveraging their networks to transport essential goods across borders. Larger airlines like Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and RwandAir have successfully adapted their aircraft to cater to the growing demand for air cargo services. Cargo operations have become a lifeline for airlines, providing a steady income stream amid the decline in passenger traffic. The shift to cargo has enabled airlines to weather the storm and survive the ongoing crisis. However, smaller carriers with limited capacity have struggled to tap into the cargo market, highlighting the divide within the aviation sector. Governments play a crucial role in supporting the aviation industry during these challenging times. It is imperative for African nations to recognize the importance of a vibrant air travel sector in driving economic growth and connectivity. Liberalization and government support are essential to enhance the resilience of African airlines and ensure their long-term sustainability. The pandemic has underscored the need for greater cooperation and coordination among African governments to create a conducive environment for the aviation sector. Looking ahead, the future of African airlines hinges on strategic decisions regarding ownership and funding. Some airlines are considering privatization as a means to secure financial stability and operational efficiency. Others are seeking government intervention to survive the crisis and sustain their operations. The global trend of state aid to airlines highlights the urgent need for government support in the aviation sector. As airlines navigate the complexities of the pandemic, digital health passports and vaccine certificates are expected to play a critical role in reviving air travel. While the concept of digital health passes is gaining traction in many parts of the world, Africa faces unique challenges due to limited access to vaccines. The implementation of digital health passes is likely to become more relevant in the coming years as vaccination efforts ramp up across the continent. Overall, African airlines are facing an uphill battle in their journey towards recovery. The road ahead will require coordinated efforts from governments, airlines, and industry stakeholders to rebuild the aviation sector and restore passenger confidence in air travel.