Persisting travel restrictions particularly in international travel, limited capacity flights, quarantine requirements, hesitation of passengers to travel due to COVID-19 fears would continue to weigh down the industry. The threat of second wave of COVID-19 and subsequent lockdown restrictions remain.

Airlines are resorting to various measures such as reducing workforce numbers, offering unpaid leaves to staff, focusing on cargo transportation etc. to tide over the crisis. For example, Kuwait Airways and Emirates Airlines have trimmed their workforce by 25% and 15% respectively . Etihad Airways is offering COVID-19 insurance for its passengers to boost demand. Government measures to support the industry include capital injection in Qatar Airways and Emirates Airlines by their respective governments and Saudi Arabia’s fee waiver for slot-coordinated airports.

Airlines and airports would need to adhere to strict safety procedures that would help restore consumer confidence. Tech enabled processes such as self-service check-in and contactless health screening are likely to become integral part of the check-in process. In parallel, ensuring liquidity through cash preservation and reducing fixed costs are essential for airlines to tide over these tough times.