The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned of the exacerbation of damage to the economies of the Middle East and the aviation industry following the closure of air traffic due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus (Covid 19) pandemic , Indicating job losses that could affect 1.7 million jobs in the region.
and new data published by the federation indicated that the aviation industry alone will lose about 323 thousand jobs in 2020. This represents about 46% of the 595 thousand jobs in the region related to the sector. Aviation, while the aviation and aviation-supported industries in the Middle East will lose 1.7 million jobs, about half of the region's 3.3 million aviation-related jobs.
The report also expected a decrease in the GDP supported by aviation in the region by up to 105 billion dollars, 49% less than the levels achieved before the outbreak of the Corona pandemic.
According to (CNN), Mohamed Al-Bakri, IATA's regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East, said the data highlight the urgent need to restart the Aviation in the Middle East.
Al-Bakri added: The aviation sector typically contributes $ 213 billion to the region's GDP. The border closures have reduced that amount to $ 108 billion. This loss has disastrous consequences, including 1.7 million jobs lost. Middle Eastern governments must protect their citizens from the Coronavirus and protect their livelihoods as well.
11 countries in the Middle East have opened their borders to regional and international air travel, but 9 of these countries still require travelers to undergo mandatory quarantine, which limits People can travel effectively.
Al-Bakri believes that these quarantine measures are hindering the industry's recovery and impeding its ability to support social and economic development.
and the union called for regular testing of passengers before their departure, which will enable governments to safely open borders without imposing quarantines in order to better support recovery efforts.
