airlines, workers seek help to save 4.8 million jobs

Lagos – Amid the devastating COVID-19, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) yesterday called for urgent government intervention in the wake of a “disaster in the aviation industry” to prevent.

Estimates from the Air Transport Action Group indicate that approximately 4.8 million aviation workers are at risk due to more than 75% decrease in demand for air travel by August 2020 compared to August 2019.

However, the organizations called on governments to provide continued financial support to the aviation industry, to reopen borders safely without quarantine by implementing a globally harmonized system of COVID-19 testing before departure.

Alexandre de Juniac, Director-General and CEO of IATA, said: “Aviation is facing an unprecedented employment catastrophe. Airlines have cut costs to the bone, but they have only 8.5 months of cash left under current circumstances. .

“Tens of thousands of jobs have already been lost, and unless governments provide more financial relief, it is likely to increase to hundreds of thousands.”

ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton stressed that governments must work together to reopen the borders safely.

“The aviation workers around the world are calling on governments to take action now, provide the financial support that will protect their jobs and commit themselves to working with unions and employers to help the industry recover in the long term. support.”

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