Empty Skies: How the Coronavirus Has Reduced Air Traffic

The global aviation industry is experiencing the worst crisis in its history. This crisis is clearly reflected in the data from the Flightradar24 service, which shows the world's air traffic. The BBC has utilized this data to report on how air transportation has changed over the past month.

Three leading airline alliances—Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance, which encompass all major airlines around the globe—recently announced that not all companies will be able to survive the current crisis. They warn that the first bankruptcies could be expected by summer.

Earlier, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimated that the reduction in airline operations due to the outbreak of the virus would cost $113 billion. These figures could still grow. According to the newspaper Vedomosti, major Russian airlines have cut more than 20% of their flights due to the coronavirus. On March 17, the head of Rosaviatsiya, Alexander Neradko, admitted that these cuts threaten the companies and could lead to bankruptcies.

Russian carriers are suffering not only from closed airports but also from a weakening ruble. Italy is one of the countries most affected by the coronavirus. It is under complete quarantine, has suspended all public events and sports competitions, and closed educational institutions. People have been urged to leave their homes only under strict necessity, and a rule of maintaining a one-meter distance in public places has been recommended to avoid close contact with others.

The outbreak of the coronavirus in Italy has led to a decline in air transportation. The sharp reduction in flights also threatens British aviation, according to a statement from the British Airline Operators Association. British Airways has already warned its employees about possible layoffs. In the statement, the management called the crisis more serious than the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The United States has banned travel to the Schengen Area's 26 countries, a measure that will also be applied to the United Kingdom and Ireland starting Monday. Wuhan city was the center of the virus spread during the initial phase of the pandemic. However, it was reported last week that the outbreak in China is declining.