The aviation industry is facing an unprecedented challenge as borders are closing, demand for airline tickets decline and precautionary measures are implemented in order to slow down the spread of the novel Corona virus known as COVID-19.
This article will explore the resilience of the aviation industry to stress as well as how Flightrule Aviation has evolved to the situation in order to protect the health and well-being of our students and staff and continue to provide world class training.
Flightrule Aviation has taken several preventive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff, as well as to ensure compliance with government directives and recommendations. Our staff is working from home. We have enabled an e – Learning System and other tools for online learning. Very soon you would see the implementation of a comprehensive an e-LMS along with a complete redesign of our website. The aim is to provide state of the art training in several formats – self paced, blended and instructor led. NZICPA, our partner school in New Zealand has also enabled e-learning for IndiGo cadets and self sponsored students. As soon as flying training restarts, specialised routines for disinfecting and cleaning aircraft and simulators will be implemented. Simulator training is continuing.
We are monitoring the situation closely as it progresses to ensure that we are protecting our students and staff, as well as being compliant with local regulations and recommendations.
This is not the first time that the aviation industry has faced hardships and challenges. Historically, pandemics such as for example SARS has shown to have a V-shaped impact on our industry. Although it does not serve as a guarantee for similar development in the future, the aviation industry has historically recovered rapidly from outbreaks and pandemics.
Pandemics and outbreaks are not the only challenges aviation has been faced with. The industry has also been challenged by oil crisis, acts of terrorism and war. As can be seen in the graph below, resilience and adaptability has enabled the aviation industry to recover and continue to grow despite these events.
It is reasonable to expect that the COVID-19 situation will have a substantial effect on global demand for the remainder of 2020, however, the data might above also indicate a swift recovery as things start to normalise again.
It is important to notice that cargo flights, offshore helicopter operations, medical evacuation flights, and special flights in India are still continuing. Cargo operations will see a massive increase in the near future.
With a few exceptions, most airlines have halted their recruitment efforts to see how the situation develops. Pilots, cabin crew, ground personnel and air traffic controllers have been furloughed in order to secure the survival of their workplace.
For students that have started their pilot education recently or are planning to start this year (2020), the job market and recruitment needs of airlines is expected to have increased by the time these students graduate in 20-24 months. The challenge for students that have recently graduated, or who are graduating in the near future, will be to maintain their skills and knowledge until recruitment picks up again.
To end at a really positive note, check out this video by our student – Thomas Alex!
