Hybrid model must to revive aviation sector

ISLAMABAD:

With the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) having such a profound impact on the aviation and aerospace sectors, with recovery not expected for several years, there is a need for governments to develop hybrid models which support these sectors through specific interventions.

These were some of the recommendations shared by Professor Dr Karl Moore, a senior Canadian aviation analyst and an associate professor at the McGill University while speaking at a webinar on “Global Aviation and Aerospace in a Post-Coronavirus World”. The webinar had been organised by the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) in Islamabad on Friday.

Dr Moore said that the aviation and aerospace industries face fundamental transformations owing to the pandemic. Hence, it was critical to seek a dynamic and comprehensive multi-stakeholder response involving both the regulatory and operational elements.

“Whether we speak of emerging markets such as Pakistan or the developed world, governments need to focus on the financial viability and regulatory structures of the aviation and aerospace sectors,” he said.

Providing an outlook of the airline and aviation industry based on interviews with aviation executives and his own experience, Prof Moore stressed that it will be challenging for the airline industry around the world until Covid-19 health concerns universally improve and the global economy recovers from its shock.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2020.