About the coronavirus outbreak and its impact on civil aviation

Restrictive and quarantine measures, which sharply reduce or in general terminate the demand for air transportation and provide their services are one of the main ones.

In this regard, civil aviation, almost all of its enterprises (airlines, airports, air traffic control companies, maintenance, handling, flight catering, fueling companies) are suffering losses in revenue, cash flow and profit.

The situation is complicated by:

- misunderstanding of the timeframes for resolving the situation (even where they are indicated, the regimes can be extended),

- possibility of further strengthening of restrictive measures,

- impact of the situation on the management and employees of aviation enterprises.

Obviously, aviation enterprises have already started the implementation of usual anti-crisis measures (closing flights, stopping/reducing the aircraft fleet, leave and optimization of personnel), and they request support from Governments.

However, the current global situation is unprecedented and requires different approaches and measures, and most importantly, daily collaboration and coordination among airline executives in every country. This is difficult for everyone, and we must get through this crisis together.

As concrete actions on behalf of the Interstate Council on Civil Aviation and Use of Airspace and the Interstate Aviation Committee, letters containing three final systemic proposals were sent today to the Governments of the States Parties to the Agreement.

For its part, the Interstate Council/IAC will, as soon as possible, hold a remote videoconference within the framework of the ICAO-IAC project, inviting all stakeholders, on the topic: "Development of reasonable and realistic measures and mechanisms for possible support of civil aviation in connection with significant restrictions on the movement of people adopted by the country's authorities."

The Interstate Council/IAC will continue its day-to-day activities in full in the interests of the countries participating in the Agreement on Civil Aviation and Use of Airspace.