The airport industry briefing
The latest news, views and numbers you need to know this month
News in numbers
75.2%
The number of passengers travelling through UK airports dropped by 75.2% in 2020, according Civil Aviation Authority data.
80%
UK airport revenues fell by
close to 80% in the second and third quarters of 2020, according to the AOA.
2025
It could take until 2025 for passenger traffic to return to 2019 levels, according to a study by Steer.
47.5%
The impact of Covid-19 will cause a decline of 47.5% of global passenger traffic in 2021, according to projections by ACI World.
1 billion
The Covid-19 crisis removed more than one billion passengers from air travel in 2020, compared to the pre-pandemic forecast for the year, according to ACI World.
Project news
Terminal renovation work starts at Lincoln Airport in Nebrasksa
Terminal renovation and expansion work has started at Lincoln Airport in Nebraska, Ohio. The operator hopes that upgrading the nearly 50-year-old terminal will improve the perception of flying from the airport and increase traffic.
Source: Construction Review Online
Lithuanian Airports to issue new tender for construction of Vilnius Airport terminal
Lithuanian Airports has terminated its contract with Mitnija for the contruction of a new passenger departure terminal at Vilnius Airport and announced it will issue a new international tender for the project soon.
Source: Delfi
Pittsburgh International Airport to restart modernisation projet
Airlines serving Pittsburgh International Airport have agreed the restarting of a critical infrastructure project which had been on hold for a year due to the pandemic.
Source: The Construction Specifier
News in quotes
Airport Operators Association chief executive Karen Dee coments on the need for the UK Government to support aviation:
“The Chancellor’s failure to deliver on his promise has resulted in UK airports facing huge losses and trailing behind international competitors, who did receive significant support from their governments.
“The Global Travel Taskforce offers us a glimmer of hope for a safe and successful summer. To ensure there are viable airports to support the economy and government agendas like global Britain and levelling-up , it must deliver on PM’s promise of risk-based restart of aviation from 17 May, through an affordable testing regime and with quarantine only as a measure of last resort."
IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac comments on new research into the potential of rapid antigen testing to fulfil Covid-19 travel requirements:
“Restarting international aviation will energise the economic recovery from Covid-19. Along with vaccines, testing will play a critical role in giving governments the confidence to re-open their borders to travellers. For governments, the top priority is accuracy. But travellers will also need tests to be convenient and affordable. The OXERA-Edge Health report tells us that the best-in-class antigen tests can tick all these boxes. It’s important for governments to consider these findings as they make plans for a re-start."