The full return of the number of flights to the levels of the “pre-Covid” 2019 will not occur until 2025, and the restoration of flights from Russia will have to wait even longer longer – at least until 2029. This forecast was voiced by the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol). European officials also noted that the recovery is expected to be “long and painful.”
In general, Eurocontrol revised down previous forecasts – earlier its experts expected a full recovery of flights in Europe by 2024. But it is clear that this will not happen so quickly. Political tensions and anti-Russian sanctions have led not only to mutual bans on the use of the airspace of Russia and Europe, but also to higher energy prices and higher inflation. So, since the beginning of the year, fuel prices have increased by almost half – by 47%, and airfare prices – by an average of 15%, and will continue to grow. In addition, European airports are facing an aviation chaos associated with an acute shortage of staff laid off during the pandemic years. All this clearly does not contribute to the speed of recovery of the industry.
At the same time, Eurocontrol experts say that the ban on flights from Europe to Russia may last until 2029. At least until the end of 2028, there will be no return to normal routes over Russian and Ukrainian airspace. At the moment, they added, the restrictions also apply to Belarus and Moldova, in addition, the measures taken have led to a reduction in flights over the Baltic region, the Scandinavian countries and Poland.
For those who value a healthy lifestyle, we recommend read: “Doctor reveals if deodorant can cause breast cancer.”