(IATA) announces airline losses in the Middle East

Mohamed Bakry, vice president of the International Air Transport Association for the Middle East, (IATA), confirmed in a conference call that the estimated losses of airlines in the Middle East amount to $ 24 billion due to the continued closure of airspace to many countries of the world, and international decisions to suspend flights, as a result Corona virus outbreak, referring to those losses exceeding the previous announced on March 11, amounting to $ 7.2 billion.
Which forced a number of airlines in the region to pay half-salaries to their employees, while other companies asked their crews to obtain open leave until the causes of the crisis ended.
This comes, with the increase in the frequency of virus outbreaks around the world, bringing the total number of infections to more than 2.6 million confirmed cases. Air transport has been a major cause of its cross-border transmission.
Al-Bakri said that the reaction of governments in the Middle East was without ambitions, adding: "We wanted greater intervention to protect airlines, through financial rescue packages."
He pointed out that the losses will not be only for the Middle East airlines.
He added: "There is $ 66 billion of GDP, threatened by loss in the region due to the interruption of air traffic."
He continued: "The resumption of air travel in the Middle East will be gradual, and there are consultations with the governments of the region on how to resume it."
Giant airlines in the Middle East have suspended their civil and commercial flights due to decreased demand for air transport, while other companies, such as Qatar Airways, have transferred giant civilian aircraft for commercial shipping with China.