European aviation transportation during the COVID-19 crisis
European aviation transportation during the COVID-19 crisis

Summary/Abstract: This article examines the effects of uncertainty shocks such as the one posed by the current COVID-19 pandemic on global airline transport with a particular focus on the European region, including Poland. The rationale behind the topic choice is that air transport, mainly passenger one, belongs to those economic sectors that are most affected by the global pandemic due to lockdowns of economies, travel restrictions set up by countries around the world, and people reluctance or fear to travel. As the pandemic situation is still changing, the previous assessments of the COVID-19 impacts available in literature require continuous updating. In this respect, using the most up-to-date data, the current paper contributes to a growing body of knowledge by focusing on such aspects as changes in air traffic volume, passenger and cargo, the financial condition of air transport providers, and this industry employment. The article is of a descriptive character. It is based on the scientific and popular literature, and publicly available Eurostat and Statista statistics as well as aviation industry-specific sources (ICAO, Eurocontrol, IATA, ATAG). The research adopts the methodological approach proper for a positive economics. The results indicate that not the entire aviation sector was negatively affected by COVID-19, as freight and private non-commercial aviation transport increased sharply during the pandemic.

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