- ECONOMIC IMPACT -

Latest update: 16 September

Since Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, data from the United Nations Refugee Agency indicates that 7.2 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded across Europe.

GlobalData forecasts that the world economy will grow at a slower pace of 2.9% in 2022, following a 5.5% growth in 2021. The global inflation rate is projected to rise to 8% in 2022 from 3.5% in the previous year due to supply chain disruption.

- SECTOR IMPACT: TRAVEL AND TOURISM -

Latest update: 16 September

Revenue impact

With no end to the conflict in sight, fuel prices will continue to surge for
airlines. This will negatively impact their bottom lines unless they pass the entire additional cost on to the traveller, which could reduce demand in an industry where consumers can easily find substitute services.


For example, US Passenger Airlines' fuel cost per available seat mile increased from $0.31 to $0.47, a year-on-year increase of 51.6%.


American Airlines is forecasting fuel to increase by $3.92 to $3.97 per gallon, increasing $0.33 per gallon from the previous estimate of $3.59 to $3.64. Increasing fuel costs means that airlines cannot optimise performance and their post-Covid-19 recovery will be extended.


The conflict has also raised concerns surrounding potential titanium supply shortages, with titanium a key metal used in the manufacturing of aircraft.


Ukraine and Russia are among the leading producers of titanium, and the ongoing conflict could impact supply in the near term causing a knock-on effect on airlines.



Key Travel And Tourism  developments

According to GlobalData, in 2021, combined outbound tourist expenditure from Russia and Ukraine accounted for 3.5% of total global outbound tourist expenditure.


With the conflict and sanctions impacting both economies, a significantly reduced number of travellers from both countries will be taking trips internationally in 2022, which will contribute to an uneven tourism recovery from the pandemic.

The conflict continues to exacerbate operational issues that are hampering many major airlines across Europe, leading to bottlenecks as no-fly zones are avoided. This can add hours to flights as carriers avoid Russian and Ukrainian airspace.


Additionally, more time spent flying increases fuel usage, and with significantly higher fuel costs as a by-product of the ongoing crisis, this adds to operational costs for airlines. 

SANCTIONS

Under mounting pressure from Western sanctions, Aeroflot, Rossiya Airlines, Ural Airlines, and Russian Railways have seen their revenue cut dramatically. Aeroflot, Russia's flagship airline, is now planning to raise up to $3bn in an emergency share issue.


Thailand has fully reopened its borders to international tourists with no need for a negative pre-departure PCR test. Additionally, it has not placed any restrictions on Russia and has a tourism product that is naturally attractive to Russian travellers.


These factors will likely combine to create a stiff year-on-year increase in Russian travel to Thailand in 2022. Thailand’s Minister of Commerce stated that Thai banks had displayed interest in Russia’s proposal to introduce the MIR payment system for Russian travellers in Thailand and pledged to coordinate with the appropriate ministries to facilitate direct flights from Russia.

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