homehome Home chatchat Notifications


This animation shows how European air traffic has plummeted due to the pandemic

It's a shocking reminder of how much things have changed in so little time.

Mihai Andrei
May 15, 2020 @ 10:21 pm

share Share

Eurocontrol, the organization managing 90% of Europe’s air traffic, has released data that helps to show just how extreme the drop in air traffic has been across the continent. An animation of the data shows an absolutely stunning drop.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), air traffic fell by 14.1%worldwide in February, compared to a year ago. But that was just a small taste of what was to come.

In March and April, the decline was closer to 80 or even 90%, with some countries seeing dramatic declines. Portugal’s flights, for instance, declined by a whopping 94%.

“Without a doubt this is the biggest crisis that the industry has ever faced,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

This unprecedented impact meant that over 100 million passenger flights were lost this year, creating a dent of over $20 billion in airlines’ income, and creating massive disturbance around the whole of Europe. By the end of the year, up to 860 million passenger flights would be lost.

Of course, Europe isn’t the only place to see a massive drop in air traffic. As the pandemic has spread all around the globe, all areas are reporting a substantial drop in flights. Europe, where 10% of the population works in tourism, is feeling this very burningly.

So far, many airports in Europe are managing on temporary employment schemes, but this is not a sustainable solution in the long term.

While many airports are managing on temporary employment schemes, this will also translate to a massive decrease in available jobs, and airline workers are eager to receive governmental support.

“This is like nothing we have seen before,” said Olivier Jankovec, director-general of the Airports Council International (ACI) for Europe. “Airports are local jobs machines. They very often are the largest employment site in their communities, regions or even at national level.”

“Restoring air connectivity must be at the forefront of the EU’s exit and recovery strategy.”

Unfortunately, the airline industry will almost certainly be one of the biggest casualties of the economic fallout of the outbreak. Not only are people far less inclined to travel (and in some cases, outright banned from traveling), but social distancing rules can drastically cut the thin profit margins that many airlines are used to working with. As much as we’d like to think the airline industry will make a rebound soon, it’s hard to see a scenario when things get return to normal anytime soon.

share Share

These 400,000-Year-Old Mammoth Tusks Carved by Early Humans May Be the Oldest Evidence of Prehistoric Intelligence

Ancient tusk fragments hint at early social learning 400,000 years ago

Japan Just Tested a Railgun at Sea Against Hypersonic Missiles and It Could Change Warfare Forever

A new sea trial brings Japan’s electromagnetic railgun closer to frontline readiness.

Superbugs are the latest crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa

Researchers found an alarming rise in antibiotic-resistant infections among children.

What happens in your brain when your mind goes completely blank — neuroscientists say it's a distinct mental state

Mind blanking isn’t daydreaming. It's something more akin to meditation — but not quite the same.

The World's Oldest Known Ant Is A 113-Million-Year-Old Hell Ant with Scythe Jaws

A remarkable find for ant history was made, not in the field but in a drawer.

Your Cells Can Hear You — And It Could Be Important for Fat Cells

Researchers explore the curious relationship between sound and gene expression in cell cultures.

16,000-Year-Old Dog-Like Skeleton Found in France Raises Haunting Questions

Cared for like a companion, or killed like prey?

Japanese Scientists Just Summoned Lightning with a Drone. Here’s Why

The drone is essentially a mobile, customizable, lightning rod.

Tiny Chinese Satellite Sent Hack-Proof Quantum Messages 12,900 Kilometers Through Space. Is a Quantum Internet Around the Corner?

The US and Europe are now racing to catch up to China.

Cats Came Bearing Gods: Religion and Trade Shaped the Rise of the Domestic Cat in Europe

Two groundbreaking studies challenge the old narrative that cats followed early farmers into Europe.