Page 28 - World Airnews Magazine January 2021 Edition

IATA IATA

INTERNATIONAL AIR 73%. Canada’s connectivity (-85% decline) was hit more heavily

than the United States (-72%). In part, this reflects the large do-

mestic aviation market in the United States, which despite a signifi-

CONNECTIVITY CRISIS cant passenger decline, has continued to support connectivity.

Latin America suffered a 91% collapse in connectivity. Mexico

and Chile performed relatively better than the other most connect-

ed countries, perhaps due to the timing of domestic lockdowns in

London these countries and how strictly they were enforced.
BEFORE THE PANDEMIC

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the growth in air connectivity was a
global success story. Over the last two decades the number of cities

directly linked by air (city-pair connections) more than doubled while

over the same period, air travel costs fell by around half.
The top-ten most connected countries in the world mostly
saw significant increases over the 2014-2019 period. The United

States remained the most connected country, with growth of 26%.
China, in second place, grew connectivity by 62%. Other standout

performers in the top ten included fourth-place India (+89%) and Shanghai
ninth-place Thailand (+62%).

IATA research explored the benefits of increased air connectivity.
The standout conclusions are:
• A positive link between connectivity and productivity. A 10%

rise in connectivity, relative to a country’s GDP, will boost

labour productivity levels by 0.07%.

• The impact is greater for developing countries. Investments

in air transport capacity in countries where connectivity is

which the world’s connectivity has been to other cities around the world - critical currently relatively low will have a much larger impact on

re-ordered over the last months. But the for trade, tourism, investment and other their productivity and economic success than a similar level of

he COVID-19 crisis has had a dev- important point is that rankings did not shift economic flows. It is a composite measure investment in a relatively developed country.

Tastati ng impact on internati onal because of any improvement in connectivi- reflecting the number of seats flown to the • Tourism revenue may be reinvested to form capital assets. Air

connectivity, shaking up the rankings of the ty. That declined overall in all markets. The destinations served from a country’s major transport has contributed to greater employment oppor-

world’s most connected cities, according rankings shifted because the scale of the de- airports and the economic importance of tunities and wider economic benefits through the tourism

to data released by the International Air cline was greater for some cities than others. those destinations. catalytic effects, particularly in small island states. In emerg-

Transport Association late last year. There are no winners, just some players that COVID-19 IMPACTS ON CONNECTIVITY ing market economies, there may be a structural shortage of

suffered fewer injuries. In a short period of

• London, the world’s number one most con- time we have undone a century of progress BY REGION demand, so tourism spend can fill in the gap.

nected city in September 2019, has seen a in bringing people together and connecting (April 2019-April 2020, IATA Connectivity • Tax revenues increase from enhanced economic activity. Air

67% decline in connectivity. By September markets. The message we must take from Index measure) connectivity facilitates economic activity and growth in a giv-

2020, it had fallen to number eight. this study is the urgent need to re-build the Africa suffered a 93% decline in connec- en country, which may have a positive impact on government New York

• Shanghai is now the top ranked city for global air transport network,” said Sebastian tivity. Ethiopia managed to buck the trend. tax revenues. Q

connectivity with the top four most Mikosz, IATA senior vice president for mem- During the first peak of the pandemic in

connected cities all in China - Shanghai, ber external relations. April 2020, Ethiopia maintained connec-

Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu. The IATA 76th AGM held last year called tions with 88 international destinations. NEWS

• New York (-66% fall in connectivity), on governments to safely re-open borders Many aviation markets reliant on tourism,

Tokyo (-65%), Bangkok (-81%), Hong using testing. “The systematic testing of such as Egypt, South Africa and Morocco,

Kong (-81%) and Seoul (-69%) have all travellers is the immediate solution to were particularly severely impacted.

exited the top ten. rebuilding the connectivity that we have Asia-Pacific saw a 76% decline in connectiv- BELL OPENS COMMERCIAL

The study reveals that cities with large lost. The technology exists. The guidelines ity. Stronger domestic aviation markets, such

numbers of domestic connections now dom- for implementation have been developed. as China, Japan and South Korea performed

inate, showing the extent to which interna- Now we need to implement, before the better among the most connected countries BUSINESS CENTRE

tional connectivity has been shut down. damage to the global air transport network in the region. Despite the relatively large do-

becomes irreparable,” said Mikosz. mestic aviation market, Thailand was severely

Ranking Sept 2019 Sept 2020 Air transport is a major engine of the glob- impacted perhaps because of the country’s

According to Bell, opening the CBC is
1 London Shanghai al economy. In normal times some 88 million high reliance on international tourism. Worth International Airport (DFW). one of a series of facility updates designed

“As we continue to expand our

2 Shanghai Beijing jobs and (US) $3.5 trillion in GDP is support- Europe experienced a 93% fall in connec- ell Textron officially opened the footprint in Fort Worth, it is important to accommodate for the growth that it

ed by aviation. More than half of this em- tivity. European countries saw significant

3 New York Guangzhou ployment and economic value is at risk from declines across most markets, although Bdoors to its new Bell Com- we create a space for our employees expects to see from its participation in
the US Army Future Long-Range Assault

4 Beijing Chengdu the collapse in global air travel demand. Russian connectivity has held up better mercial Business Centre (CBC) in Fort to innovate and think creatively,” said Aircraft (FLRAA) and Future Attack Recon-

Michael Thacker, Bell executive vice

Worth, Texas late last year.

5 Tokyo Chicago “Governments must realise that there than Western European countries. Approximately 600 Bell employees president of commercial business and naissance Aircraft (FARA) programmes.

Middle East countries saw connectivity

6 Los Angeles Shenzhen are major consequences for peoples’ lives decline by 88%. With the exception of will work at the facility, which will house technology innovation. Other FLRAA- and FARA-related
and livelihoods. At least 46 million jobs

7 Bangkok Los Angeles supported by air transport are in peril. And Qatar, connectivity levels reduced by more operations including Bell’s commercial “Having a dedicated facility for com- expansions this year have included the

8 Hong Kong London the strength of the economic recovery from than 85% for the five most connected programmes, global sales and customer mercial business will allow enhanced unveiling a new Manufacturing Technol-

ogy Centre (MTC) in Fort Worth and the

9 Seoul Dallas COVID-19 will be severely compromised countries in the region. Despite border clo- support and services. collaboration throughout the entire opening of a facility in Wichita, Kansas.
enterprise and support Bell’s vision

10 Chicago Atlanta without the support of a functioning air sures, Qatar allowed passengers to transit The Bell CBC is located in a former to continue to advance the future of Bell also said it has renovation plans for

transport network,” said Mikosz. between flights. It was also an important American Airlines building near both mobility and vertical flight.” its Dallas headquarters. Q

“The dramatic shift in the connectiv- The IATA air connectivity index measures hub for air cargo. Bell headquarters and Dallas/Fort

ity rankings demonstrates the scale at how well connected a country’s cities are North American connectivity declined

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