IATA feels let down by India’s decision not to provide financial aid for aviation industry

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has slammed the Indian government for announcing a stimulus package that had virtually nothing for the country’s struggling aviation industry.

The international airline lobby found it disappointing that the Indian government’s Rs 20 lakh crore relief package for industries, ignored aviation.

“Compare that to the $123 billion in government financial aid announced around the world, including $26 billion in the Asia Pacific region,” said Alexandre De Juniac, director general, IATA in a webinar organised by CAPA India.

Juniac said that there is likely to be a 47% decline in passengers carried by India’s airlines and revenues will dip by $11 billion compared to last year with three million jobs at risk.

Angela Gittens, Director General, Airports Council International (ACI) said, “Airlines and airports are running out of money. Getting the aviation system back on board will help the economy,” she said, adding airports globally are likely to see 4.6 billion fewer passengers as compared with the 3.3 billion passengers which had been predicted in April this year. ACI predicts that revenues for global airports could be at around $97 billion which is a 57% per cent drop.