When the entire world has come to a standstill during these difficult times so has the aviation industry around the globe. This global crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a deep impact on the aviation industry as a whole. In this article we will look at the consequences of the pandemic in the technical and financial sectors of the industry.

In mid-April it was reported that two thirds of the world’s Passenger jets were grounded amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first time in history that such a large number of aircraft had to be accommodated on the ground at the same time. More than 16,000 passenger jets are grounded worldwide, as the Corona virus obliterates travel and puts unprecedented strain on airline finances. Finding the right space and conditions for 62% of the world’s planes and keeping them airworthy have suddenly become priorities for 2020.

At crowded airports like in New Delhi, which does not have spare parking spots, a runway has been converted into a temporary storage.

Now, it needs to be understood that an aircraft cannot be simply ready to fly when required. Aircraft require a lot of attention while in storage. Humidity can corrode parts and damage interiors, the fuel tanks need to be lubricated, hydraulic systems need maintenance and a lot more stuff goes on behind making a plane airworthy. This mass grounding of aircraft has led to parking problems. Nobody would have imagined this magnitude of preservation would need to be done.

Another challenge which maintenance crews face is the airplane brakes. Brakes in parked planes can fade within 24 hours and so each aircraft needs about 10 to 12 chocks behind the wheels to keep them in position.

The engine of an aircraft is converted in order to block corrosion and nesting birds

Tires also need attention. From Boeing 737s to Airbus A380s, all need to have their wheels rotated — by being towed on the tarmac or jacked into the air to be spun — every one to two weeks, while hydraulic fluid is put on the landing gear to protect against rust. Giant silica moisture absorption sachets are also put inside engines to keep them dry, while all pitot tubes on the fuselage are covered to block insects and nesting birds.

Talking about the financial impact this pandemic has had, it’s unclear when, if ever, the industry will fully recover. Airlines worldwide are looking at $84.3 billion in losses and a 50% drop in revenue this year, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Global Level Analysis of international travel

World Passenger Traffic Evolution

While international and domestic air travel has plummeted to its lowest point in the history of aviation, aircraft are being widely used for transportation of COVID-19 essentials like PPE suits, masks, sanitizers, and other essential equipment. The aviation industry was put to task by the civil aviation minister to ensure ICMR kits to test COVID-19 reach on time.

Essential supplies being loaded into the underbelly of an aircraft

National carrier Air India brought in 21 tons of critical medical supplies from China for treatment of corona virus infected people. Bulk of the cargo comprises lightweight and voluminous products like masks, gloves and other consumables, that require more space on the aircraft per ton. This has greatly helped in combating the virus, ensuring supplies are delivered on time.

Indian Air force fights Pandemic

The Indian Air Force was actively involved in combating the pandemic in our country. The Indian Air Force is transporting medical supplies and personnel from Delhi, Surat, Chandigarh to Manipur, Nagaland and the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The medical supplies include personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitiser, surgical gloves, thermal scanners. The main aircraft used for these tasks are the C-17 Globemaster, C-130J Hercules, Antonov An-32, AVRO & the Dornier Do-228 aircraft of the IAF. These aircraft are typically used for supplying cargo and troop movement and have been roped in to transport medical essentials throughout the country.

The Indian Navy Dornier Do-228

A New Purpose, a New Direction

Internationally, British Airways has operated a special Boeing 777–300 flight to Shanghai. The purpose of the flight was to carry essential medical aid to the United Kingdom in coordination with the British Embassy in Beijing. British Airways converted Boeing 777 aircraft into makeshift freighters. The British flag carrier used the jets to ferry PPE to the United Kingdom from China.

A passenger aircraft converted into a freighter

The world’s biggest plane Antonov An-225 too joined the fight against the pandemic. The world’s largest cargo aircraft — full of medical supplies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic — flew from Tianjin, China to Warsaw, Poland. The aircraft lifted off China carrying personal protective equipment, including masks and medical testing equipment. The lift was reportedly the largest cargo shipment(in volume) by air to be done twice in a week, filling four fifths of the massive aircraft’s cavernous hold. The Ukrainian six-engine behemoth is still the world’s largest cargo aircraft with the largest cargo capacity.

The Antonov An — 225 being loaded with medical supplies

To conclude, the aviation industry like all other industries has been hit hard due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It may take several years to travel by air “normally” as we did, or it may have changed forever.

Poster Credits — Param Biyani

References:

1. Effects of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Civil Aviation: Economic Impact Analysis, Air Transport Bureau, Montreal, Canada, 20 July, 2020.
2. Antonov AN-225 breaks Two World records with Medical Aid Flights, Mark Finlay, April 22, 2020.
3. Here’s What You Do With Two-Thirds of the World’s Jets When They Can’t Fly, Anurag Kotoky, David Stringer, Ragini Saxena, April 17, 2020.
4. British Airways Now Has 2 Boeing 777s Converted for Freight, Tom Boon, May 28, 2020.

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