The briefing on airports
The news, views and numbers you need to know this month
News in numbers
$1.2bn
The US Government said at the start of September it would provide airports with $1.2bn in safety and infrastructure grants through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
79.8%
Total passenger traffic in July 2020 was 79.8% below 2019 levels, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA)
91.9%
International passenger traffic in July 2020 was 91.9% below 2019 levels, says IATA
$4bn
The first phase of Salt Lake City International Airport’s $4bn expansion was completed at the start of September
£343m
Gatwick airport reported a £343m pre-tax loss after passenger numbers fell by two-thirds in the first half of 2020
In quotes
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) secretary-general Dr Fang Liu, after the ICAO and Universal Postal Union released a joint statement encouraging governments to boost financial support for postal operators, air cargo carriers and express mail operators in early September:
These personnel are keeping the world connected in terms of emergency food and many other medical and humanitarian necessities and ensuring that the world can still depend on efficient global supply chains.
IATA Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac, after IATA called upon governments to open their borders and continue relief measures for airlines at the start of September:
Governments have cooperated to set the guidelines for a safe re-start of aviation. But they have not cooperated to actually make a re-start happen. That’s why 90% of international flying has stopped. The demand is there. When borders open without quarantine, people fly. But there is too much uncertainty in how governments are managing the situation for passengers to re-build the confidence to travel.
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