IATA warns 25 million jobs in aviation industry at risk due to COVID-19 lockdown

global aviation industry is one of worst-hit sectors due to coronavirus lockdown imposed by half world's countries. According to a new analysis released by International Air Transport Association (IATA), more than 25 million people are at risk of losing ir jobs due to plummeting demand amid COVID-19 outbreak. International Air Transport Association (IATA) in analysis pointed out that over 65 million people are dependant on aviation industry, including sectors such as travel and tourism. Among se are 2.7 million jobs belong to airline industry.

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Out of se 25 million jobs that are at risk according to IATA, 11.2 million jobs are from Asia-Pacific alone. 5.6 million jobs in Europe, 2.9 million jobs in Latin America, 2.0 million jobs in rth America, 2.0 million jobs in Africa and 0.9 million jobs in Middle East are at direct risk of disappearing post-COVID-19. aviation industry is expected to report a loss of nearly $252 billion in 2020, estimation of passenger revenues only. According to reports, airlines from across world are calling on ir government to help. In United States, aviation industry had requested a $50 billion bailout pack from administration.

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IATA has also called on various state governments to provide direct financial support, loans, loan guarantees and support for corporate bond market, tax relief to airlines. "re are words to adequately describe devastating impact of COVID-19 on airline industry. And ecomic pain will be shared by 25 million people who work in jobs dependent upon airlines. Airlines must be viable businesses so that y can lead recovery when pandemic is contained. A lifeline to airlines w is critical," said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO in a statement.

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Coronavirus outbreak

deadly coronavirus infection has claimed nearly 83,000 lives across world and has infected over 14,46,000 people globally since it first broke out in December 2019. China was most affected country until last month before Italy, Spain, United States, UK, France and Iran surpassed it to record most number of deaths anywhere in world.   virus is believed to have originated from a seafood market in China's Wuhan city, epicentre of disease, where animals were reportedly being traded illegally.

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(Im Credit: AP)