JUNE 30 — As the air travel industry is hard hit by Covid-19 and with higher than average increases in the price of tickets, it’s unsurprising that the airline industry is facing its biggest challenge in two decades since the event of 911 changed the landscape of air travel that put the tourism industry in a tailspin.
Malaysia Airports reported a staggering 97.8 per cent contraction in passenger traffic movements in May of this year compared to the same period last year. Internationally, the decline was 99.3 per cent whereas the domestic sector shrunk by 96.4 per cent.The first is the pessimistic view which posits the recovery of the airline industry as uncertain and not guaranteed. The data highlighted above would seem to preclude a quick turnaround and, therefore, recovery will take a long time to set in.
The pass is priced at only RM399. Pass holders can redeem unlimited flights across 16 destinations within Malaysia, with the expiry date on 31 March 2021. Over 12,000 flights have been redeemed within the two-day campaign which was extended to June 15 in response to the overwhelming demand. In fact, although a rebound is not in view in the short-term on the one hand, allowing a meltdown in air travel is inconceivable on the other — with all the economic, commercial, financial and social implications.
He believes “intra-Asean is the best bet for the region to restart the tourism industry post-Covid-19.”