How can we build back better European aviation after COVID-19 – and what will our industry look like in five years? The environment, changing markets, new consumer behaviours and expectations – all will be explored in a series of live 1-2-1 interviews with industry leaders.
In our second EUROCONTROL Aviation Hardtalk Live, we explore these questions and more with Willie Walsh, who as founding CEO of the International Airlines Group (IAG), successfully drove over the last decade the group’s evolution to today comprise Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, LEVEL and Vueling.
Willie will be interviewed by Andrew Charlton, journalist and MD of Aviation Advocacy. The sessions includes a short update on European markets and performance from Eamonn Brennan, Director General of EUROCONTROL.
“There is an easy way to change the industry. Treat airlines like businesses. Let them go bankrupt like businesses. The barriers to entry have never been lower for those that want to shake things up. There are trained staff, slots, gates, aircraft, and interesting markets available. New players could start again on things like seniority, slot hoarding, and leasing and other contracts. The entire industry needs significant root-and-branch reform. If not now, when? Yes, there will be a nasty period of readjustment; yes, airlines, airports, and even ANSPs will go bankrupt, but at least it will be honest, unlike the gravity-defying act of self-deception we are engaged in now. Get rid of the zombies we have today, living hand-out to mouth.” —Andrew Charlton, “The New Normal: Creeping Bermudaism,” Aviation Intelligence Reporter, August 2020
Qantas has decided to mothball their fleet of 747’s, Andrew discusses the reasons why and adds his perspective as to what air travel will look like after the COVID crisis.
There can be no denying that the Coronavirus pandemic has changed aviation fundamentally. Yet, to date, the focus has been on surviving the crisis and the sudden plunge in traffic. However, as the situation stabilises it is time to turn to thinking through the deeper implications for European aviation. The SESAR Joint Undertaking is committed to driving that conversation. It has convened a series of senior leaders of the industry to discuss these issues.
Travelling with Covid. When everything stops, everything changes. Enforced inactivity turns out to be a rolling, breaking news story – and unbelievably expensive. At the end of the week we take a deep breath and a step back to work out what just happened and what’s going to be part of the new normal.
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