AOA
On 3 February 2021 AOA released the AOA Aviation Recovery Plan, based on a report commissioned from business consultancy Steer. Based on analysis before the pandemic worsened, Steer estimated that passenger numbers would not return to 2019 levels any earlier than 2025 in the most optimistic scenario (a gradual easing of travel restrictions in 2021 in line with a successful vaccine roll-out across the globe). So far, increased restrictions in 2021 mean a full traffic recovery by 2025 is an ever-more unlikely prospect. The plan sets out a series of policy measures AOA is urging Government to implement as soon as possible, including financial relief, return of the airside VAT concession, a pathway to no quarantine and how to ensure regional connectivity, among others. AOA’s press release and the full report can be found here.
