Around 20 lakh aviation jobs at risk due to coronavirus lockdown

New Delhi : Due to ongoing lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic, more than 20 lakh jobs are at risk in India's aviation space and dependent sectors, according to global airlines' grouping International Air Transport Association (IATA).

As the lockdown in India has been extended till May 3, the commercial flight operations have been suspended till the same date.

Facing the financial crunch due to operational constraints, some of the airlines have sent their employees on leave without pay and some have even sacked some of their employees.

The IATA on Wednesday said that airlines globally are now facing an existential crisis as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

"Airlines in India are not spared. Passenger revenue is expected to fall by more than $8.8 billion and passenger demand decline by 36 per cent. This puts over 2 million (over 20 lakh) jobs at risk, including sectors that are dependent on aviation," Albert Tjoeng, Assistant Director for Corporate Communications (Asia Pacific) at IATA, said.

He told news agency PTI that the prime focus of the Indian Government at this time is to ensure enough cash supply for the airlines, by providing direct financial support, facilitating loans, loan guarantees, and support for the corporate bond market.

"Taxes, levies, and airport and aeronautical charges for the industry should also be fully or partially waived," he added.

Globally, Albert Tjoeng said IATA is expecting a revenue loss of $314 billion and passenger demand to fall by 48 per cent compared to 2019.