The International Air Transport Association (Iata) called on the government of Jordan to provide urgent financial relief to airlines as they struggle to survive the devastating impact of the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Iata estimates that revenues generated by airlines in the Jordanian market will fall by $700 million (52 per cent) compared to 2019. That puts at risk nearly 34,400 Jordanian jobs and $1.1 billion of Jordan’s GDP, which is generated by aviation directly as well as by aviation-related tourism.

 

“Jordan’s leaders have always understood the importance of having a sustainable aviation sector. They have prioritised policies that have encouraged the development of air connectivity that supports travel and tourism. But the Covid-19 crisis is putting that positive progress at risk. Airlines are fighting for survival. Passenger traffic has virtually stopped, and cash flows are almost non-existent. The consequences for the Jordanian economy are severe. Urgent financial support from the government is needed now to keep the sector alive," said Muhammad Albakri, Iata’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East.

 

It is essential that the Jordanian government move quickly to minimise the economic damage resulting from the Covid-19 crisis. Government support is urgently required to ensure the liquidity which will allow airlines to survive the coming months and thus protect the jobs generated by the air transport sector. The government should consider the following financial relief measures:

 

• Direct financial support to passenger and cargo carriers

• Financial relief on air traffic control (ATC) charges and taxes 

• Reduction, waiver or deferral of government-imposed taxes and fees

 

Air transport in Jordan contributes $2.2 billion to the country’s GDP and supports some 70,000 jobs. This includes spending by foreign tourists who travel to Jordan by air which supports $1.3 billion of GDP. In total, 5.7 per cent of the country's GDP is sustained by the input of the air transport sector and foreign tourists arriving by air.

 

"When the Covid-19 virus is brought under control, a healthy aviation sector will be essential to jump-start the Jordanian, Middle East and global economies. Timely government support is urgently required to ensure the liquidity which will allow airlines to survive the coming months and thus protect the jobs generated by the air transport sector and preserve Jordan’s tourism industry,’ said Albakri.  - TradeArabia News Service