Some airline apps are said to be unreliable. - ERIC PIERMONT / AFP

Up to 200 billion dollars (185 billion euros) is the sum that the airlines, hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, need, estimated the International Air Transport Association (Iata) , this Thursday.

This could take the form of “direct financial support” to passenger and freight carriers to compensate for their shortfall and fill their cash gaps. It can also result in loans and guarantees granted by governments and central banks, or even in tax and social security relief, said Iata in a press release.

Difficulties threatening "millions of jobs"

On March 5, Iata estimated that the virus could cost air transport up to $ 113 billion in lost revenue in 2020. But conditions have since deteriorated markedly with the American ban on entry to the United States travelers from Europe, restrictions from other countries on entering their territory and then closure to non-Europeans of the Schengen area.

"Controlling the spread of Covid-19 is the top priority of governments," said Iata director general Alexandre de Juniac in the press release. "But they must realize that the public health emergency has become a disaster for the economy and for aviation." Iata, which brings together 290 companies representing 82% of world traffic, calls in particular on the countries of Africa and the Middle East to come to the aid of their companies whose difficulties threaten "millions of jobs" direct and indirect.

"Airlines Struggle For Their Survival"

"The crisis in the sector is much more serious and more widespread than after [the attacks of] September 11, the SARS epidemic [in 2002-2003] or the global financial crisis of 2008", warns Alexandre de Juniac. “Airlines are fighting for their survival. Many routes have been suspended in Africa and the Middle East and demand has dropped by up to 60% on the routes maintained, ”underlines the former president of Air France and then of Air France-KLM.

According to Iata, the share of air transport in the African economy is $ 55.8 billion, it promotes 6.2 million jobs and contributes 2.6% to the continent's gross domestic product. In the Middle East, these figures are respectively $ 130 billion, 2.4 million jobs and 4.4% of GDP. In these two regions, carriers have launched savings plans to limit the impact of the pandemic, but their cash reserves do not exceed an average of two months.

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