Munir Khalifa, the President of International Aviation Services Organization (IASO) confirms that the aviation sector is the most affected by the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, quarantine measures, and airports’ closures.
With the lifting of the lockdown and the return of travel traffic in a number of countries, Munir reassures those who wish to travel that it is safe to travel by air, noting that the aircraft is equipped with the best means of protection as well as for the crew and that the possibility of transmission of the virus is almost impossible. Munir Khalifa, guest of “Hawa Al Ayam” program, with Samira Ibrahim of Monte Carlo radio.
Presenter:
Of course, the Coronavirus crisis was, and still is a health crisis, a political and economic crisis in the first place especially for airlines and the aviation industry, which lost a lot and up to 90% of revenue. Aviation companies are the most that suffered from this crisis and today there are many people asking whether we will travel or not? Do we stay in the countries where we live or not, and if we travel where shall we go? We would like to know more and understand from you what is happening in the airline industry, and we have many questions for you. Mounir Khalifa, President of the International Aviation Services Organization, welcome.
First, we want to know how you are and how you feel, because this crisis is very frightening, and when it is a health, psychological, and economic crisis, it is really heavy. How are you, Mr. Munir?
Munir Khalifa:
Thank you for hosting me. I am good, and on the contrary, I am optimistic, and I want the people who hear us be very optimistic because lack of optimism is one of the reasons for being reluctant to travel. People are afraid and confused, and they ask about the procedures, laws, regulations, and many questions that raise the fear of people, even those who need to travel cannot travel. But things are very different from what we hear and it is much simpler and we will talk about that in detail.
Samira Ibrahim:
I wish you could reassure us and talk about those people who lost their jobs. Very big companies like Emirates Airlines have had to lay off some of their employees. Is there a change?
Munir Khalifa:
Yes, there is a change. The aviation sector is the most affected economic sector due to coronavirus, and the losses were big and huge, which forced the airlines to lay off a large number of employees. This is because airlines have a very high investment cost, and any airline as an investor only use the banks and loans to finance the company, even countries are financing its companies. The investment cost is high in terms of aircraft maintenance and other costs. The Corona pandemic affected the movement hence the planes grounded. Even when the plane is parked, there is a cost. The cost of maintenance does not stop, and a number of employees who do not work in maintenance have been laid off due to the large costs, but the situation began to go gradually go back to normal. Some companies will return slowly because countries cannot help all their national companies. There are some companies that went bankrupt and there are companies that have completely disappeared, but the size of the market and the travel requirements need airline companies, therefore companies will return and new companies will emerge, hence the situation will change again and employees will return. This requires several procedures and we expect that things will return to what they were and the most important thing is when finding a vaccine to this disease.
This will not take too long. A year at most, things will gradually get back to normal.
Samira Ibrahim:
We would like you to explain to us also your role and the role of the organization that you are heading.
Munir Khalifa:
OK. We in the organization, when the pandemic occurred, have had several consultations between us and the boards of directors of the services sector. We had difficulty finding a balance between the health safety of travelers and workers in the aviation sector on one hand, and the facilitation of travel operations for travelers on the other in a way that eases their movement from one airport to another. The process has not been easy. The procedures are subject to regulations and laws. There are organizations such as the World Health Organization, IATA, and ICAO, but no organization can make decisions on its own.
Samira Ibrahim:
Would you prefer for the flights and travel to be resumed while adhering to preventive measures?
Munir Khalifa:
Yes, not only me but also Mr. Muhammad Al-Bakri, IATA Vice President for Africa and the Middle East region, stated that quarantine must be lifted in some or all countries and to find other and alternative ways for quarantine because it is one of the reasons people refrain from traveling. Many people wonder why should I be quarantined for 14 days in the destination of travel if I am traveling on a vacation, and also when I come back from my trip I will be quarantined for another 14 days, and so the vacation is lost. What is the benefit of traveling then? IATA and ICAO are calling for finding alternative ways to prevent COVID-19. if the traveler has conducted a PCR examination, there is no need for quarantine and there are available means that can be adopted by countries.
We, as organizations, suffer from the fact that there are countries that take measures through what they call “crisis committees” and these committees prioritize the interest of the citizen in the country, and do not take into account that there are tourists who want to visit this country and these strict measures affect tourism and the economy in general.
Samira Ibrahim:
But there are some countries, such as Spain, for example, have asked residents of some of their regions to return to the domestic quarantine and close down, and there are still countries that demand maximum protection because the disease still exists.
Munir Khalifa:
This is true, the disease still exists, but there are precaution measures by using masks, gloves, and sanitizing procedures. Only direct contact is the problem, but for travel, some measures must be eased in some countries, people are in need to travel, while some countries have completely closed their airports. Any plane flying to these countries must obtain a landing permit through diplomatic channels which is unreasonable. Procedures should be eased and alternative means have to be agreed upon between countries.
Samira Ibrahim:
What influences your organization has on the countries that airports are closed?
Munir Khalifa:
There is no influence. They are independent decisions of each country per se, even the decisions of the World Health Organization and other organizations are not binding and cannot influence the decisions of countries. We, as organizations, have a consultative role through clarifications and recommendations only, and we have no influence on countries.
Samira Ibrahim:
Now people who are listening to us and scared will say that you are taking the matter from an economic point of view in favor of the aviation industry.
Munir Khalifa:
I’ll give you some facts. The latest precautionary measures that have been taken by IATA and ICAO in relation to aviation safety, airports, aircraft, and passenger safety are immense. Did you know that air filters have now been installed in planes with 99% air purification of germs and bacteria so that the passenger cabins in the planes have become like intensive care rooms in hospitals in terms of air purity? Therefore the passenger cabin air can not transmit any infection. This is in addition to canceling the distribution of pillows and blankets, while meals will be packed with plastic containers, and the plane’s crew is ready with all preventive measures, even passengers must wear plastic protectors and masks, so the transmission of the virus in the plane is very difficult or rather impossible.
As for the airports, there are also precautionary measures in order to maintain the safety of travelers. Airports are now also as a hospital in terms of hygiene. Suitcases will be sterilized and the passengers will pass through sterilization gates hence the airports today are very safe and no person can get sick because of the airport. We must get out of this feeling of panic and fear from airports and airplanes.
Samira Ibrahim:
People are wondering about the idea of high airfares now as compensation for the losses of the airlines.
Munir Khalifa:
Economically, it is true that airlines have incurred huge losses, but the travel market depends on supply and demand. First, the supply now is light and this means that the prices will be lower. Secondly, the most important thing is the significant drop in fuel prices. Fuel constitutes almost 70% of the cost of the plane operation. Since the price of fuel is now low, airfares will not increase, and I am sure that tickets’ prices will not increase. All indications confirm this for a period of 6-7 months. Even with the cost of empty seats on the plane, the decrease in fuel prices will compensate for this and prices will not rise, God willing.
Samira Ibrahim:
How will this crisis play its role in changing many things, including changing our view of travel and life in general? How will it affect aviation? Will the number of low-cost airlines increases? Will companies provide other services, what new things are we expecting?
Munir Khalifa:
What new, is that we will suffer due to the different procedures at the airports, the most important factor is the amount of time and the increase in travel time. Because of the procedures, we will have to come to the airport 4 or 5 hours before departure. One of those measures is also not to allow carrying a handbag on board, and there are many changes that we will notice and as I have mentioned, changes in terms of providing meals onboard or not. There will be a fundamental difference in a flying way.
But I think that after a while the travel process will become easier and the time will be less. This is new for all airports in the world now and after a while, it will become normal, easy, and shorter in time.
Anything new will be difficult at first, but over time and with knowledge, it becomes easy and usual. Things will return to normal after developing an effective vaccine.
I am optimistic and I will personally travel in two days after a period of a five-months break, not because of the coronavirus, but because of not being able to fly.
Samira Ibrahim:
After the tragic incident of September 11th, we got used to the security measures when traveling, and you said that we would get used to the current procedures. Is the crisis that we experience now a historical crisis?
Munir Khalifa:
In terms of the security measures that were introduced after September 11th, they are still applicable and nothing has changed, and it will continue because it is a security issue that is different from the health issue. The status of this health issue is temporary, and it will disappear as soon as its cause vanishes, then things will get back to normal.
Samira Ibrahim:
After people stayed at home for a long time, will they start thinking about the environmental situation and think about traveling differently?
Munir Khalifa:
People have different views, there are those who are afraid of flying and may think of another way to travel. This is on the one hand. As for environmental reasons, the IATA organization emphasizes on reducing carbon emission by installing devices in aircraft to reduce emissions and its impact on the environment. There are studies also on biofuels that few companies have started using it. According to the latest survey conducted by the American Delta Global, 45% of travelers are afraid of traveling now due to many reasons, including quarantine, travel procedures, travel time, and most importantly the fear of infection.
This is a large number and a catastrophe if we continue to do so because the catastrophe is not only in the aviation sector but also in many other sectors related to aviation. Aviation is one of the most important industries that affect our life, and if the crisis persists, restaurants, hotels, and many other businesses will stop, so we must try our best to ease the peoples’ fear and panic.
I would like to refer on this occasion to the experience of the Emirate of Dubai in opening its airport for tourists and visitors and put the best procedures that can be followed by other airports.
First and the great thing they do that they welcome the visitor at the airport with a welcome stamp on the passport that says welcome to your second home country. In addition to the very nice facilities in the airport where there is no quarantine. If the traveler has a test he/she will enter easily and if the traveler does not have a test, a PCR test will be made at the airport for the traveler. This test will take around 7 hours’ time, during which the passenger will be asked to stay in the hotel room. If the result appears negative, the traveler is welcome. This experience to open the entire country for tourism is considered a great example which we hope the rest of the countries will follow. As for transit travelers, there are no procedures for them.
Samira Ibrahim:
Thank you very much.
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