The Emirates president said he was watching a fourth wave of coronavirus pandemics from Europe involving airlines.
“I have all sorts of concerns about what will happen when I see the fourth wave coming,” Emirates President Tim Clark told CNBC at the Dubai Airshow.
“If the European market, which has already begun to open wide, begins to move in the opposite direction, we have to look at it very carefully, as we have to deal with it, but we will deal with it … We’re very good at avoiding problems, we just do what we have to do, “he told CNBC’s Hadley Gambling.
Earlier this month, WHO warned that Europe was once again the epicenter of the Covid pandemic. Germany, the region’s largest economy, currently reports about 50,000 new coronavirus cases per day, and France also reports a surge in cases. Meanwhile, Austria is expected to soon impose blockade restrictions on millions of unvaccinated people to curb the rise of infections.
Airlines want the Dubai Airshow to become an industry turning point after a catastrophic period. This is the first major aerospace exhibition in the world where travel bans have devastated the industry since the coronavirus pandemic began.
The International Air Transport Association said last month that the global aviation industry is expected to lose about $ 12 billion next year. IATA, which represents nearly 300 airlines that operate more than 80% of the world’s air traffic, added that the industry’s losses in 2020 were worse than initially expected, at $ 137.7 billion.
However, Clark said Emirates has already seen a significant increase in demand and is beginning to make a profit.
“We’re bouncing back with a high degree of robustness, needless to say,” he said. “With a shortage of pilots, a shortage of cabin crew, and almost everything, demand is frankly returning at a pace that makes it difficult to supply assets. There is no shortage. In demand, that’s a really good story. “
Clark emphasized the…