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   The loss of airlines worldwide due to the outbreak of the corona pandemic is   
   about $ 201 milliard. IATA CEO Willie Walsh reported this on Monday during the   
   annual meeting of the trade association. The good news: the lowest point of   
   the crisis is behind us.   
       
   In 2020, airlines worldwide ended up $ 138 milliard in the red, this year the   
   loss is expected to be $ 52 milliard. Next year, the loss will still amount to   
   12 milliard dollars, in 2023 IATA is counting on a profit for the first time   
   since 2019.   
       
   Passenger demand (calculated in the number of passenger kilometers flown) will   
   end in 2021 at forty percent of the level of 2019. That will grow to 61   
   percent next year. The number of air passengers is expected to be around    
   2.3 milliard this year and 3.4 milliard in 2023. By comparison, in 2019 there   
   were still 4.5 milliard.   
       
   Walsh is urging governments to speed up border reopening to allow   
   international air traffic to recover. In addition, vaccinated and negatively   
   tested travelers must be able to travel without hindrance. IATA cites the   
   European digital corona passport as an example for the rest of the world.   
   "Measures should only remain in effect for as long as necessary, and not a day   
   longer," said the former IAG chief.   
       
   Alexandre de Juniac's successor, who took office earlier this year, has lashed   
   out at air traffic control organizations and airports that have announced   
   raising rates due to lost revenue during the corona crisis. He cited Schiphol   
   Airport - which would like to increase airport charges by 40% over a period of   
   three years - and Heathrow Airport, which has proposed an increase of 90% for   
   next year.   
       
   "We all want to put COVID-19 behind us, but to shift the financial burden of a   
   crisis of apocalyptic proportions onto your customers ... just because you can   
   ... is a commercial strategy that only a monopolist can dream of," said Walsh.   
      
   --- DB4 - Sep 03 2021   
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