The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expected today, Wednesday, that Saudi airlines will lose 7.5 billion dollars this year due to the Corona virus pandemic, which crushed travel demand.
The Federation also expected that the sector's revenues will decline by 35% this year, compared to 2019.
In a statement, Etihad urged the Saudi government to provide financial support to the aviation sector, in order to address the severe impact of the Corona crisis on it.
He stated that the Kingdom should consider providing financial support to airlines and airports, and consider reducing, exempting or postponing the payment of taxes and fees imposed by the government.
The drop endangers some 287.5 thousand Saudi jobs, and $ 17.9 billion of gross domestic product generated by aviation and related tourism.
The International Air Transport Association expected last March that Saudi Arabia would lose 16 million passengers and $ 3.1 billion in basic revenue, and more than 140,000 jobs in the aviation sector are threatened by Corona.
The air transport sector is one of the sectors most affected by the repercussions of the Corona crisis, as a result of the countries of the world closing their borders and their airport to prevent the spread of the virus.