Aviation Business Middle East: Michael Wette On Why Airlines Must Be Proactive In Presenting Alternative Safety Measures

Social distancing measures due to the Covid-19 pandemic are expected to be enforced across the transport sector well into 2021, causing concern that having to leave seats empty will take a heavy toll on airlines, especially low-cost carriers.

Regulators could force airlines to block off the middle seat and limit load factors to around 65%, which will likely lead to higher air fares for consumers and the end of ultra-low-cost travel.

Oliver Wyman (Middle East) Transport and Services Practice Partner Michael Wette believes however that alternatives such as additional and thorough testing before flights, distributing high quality masks and other protective equipment for passengers and crew could outweigh the cost of losing capacity and be a more viable solution for airlines.

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