The The Impact of COVID-19 on Global Aviation Industry: A Phenomenological Study

บทคัดย่อ

This paper analyzed the influence of Covid-19 on the global aviation industry and understanded how sudden changes are going to affect the upcoming global airlines' industry. While before the other health crises such as SARS, the impact of Covid-19 is unparalleled, bringing some never seen before losses to the aviation industry. This paper discussed and examined the contemporary challenges faced by the aviation industry due to Covid-19, regarding its halting post lockdown, the downfall of the business and reduced workforce and measures undertaken to minimize the negative impact on the capital-intensive industry. The results, based on the study aims, were as follows:  1) the identified measures needed were equity injection, wage subsidies, new suits of loans and aviation industry’s support, 2) as for the impact of measures undertaken, the data revealed that the government had given a support worth of $160 billion to the airline industry, in which one quarter was for wage subsidies and two-thirds belonged to direct supports, such as cash injection, equity, loans and subsidies, and 3) as for the steps undertaken by aviation businesses, the measures undertaken for health management of passengers were the operating costs of additional requirements to ensure passenger safety and also social distancing measures affecting the passenger load factor. Therefore, it was suggested that these changes over the long-term leaded to major changes in the structure of demands for air transportation. The study suggested further researches in the following fields: 1) ways for the government policies to promote a prioritize sector-wide competition and measures for maintaining a sustainable trajectory 2) ways to preserve dynamics of aviation business and consent exit and 3) ways to encourage more planning and investments for the aviation industry's green transition.