The German aerospace industry is experiencing a severe setback after years of growth in the corona crisis. “As an association, we are assuming a drop in sales for the civil aviation industry of around 40 percent this year,” said Dirk Hoke, President of the Federal Association of the German Aerospace Industry (BDLI) of the German Press Agency. The order books are still well filled, but the airlines lack the money.
“There is extremely little interest in accepting aircraft.” A significant drop in sales is also expected for next year. “It's a difficult time for us, but we also see the opportunities,” said Hoke. “We should use the time to invest in climate-friendly technologies.” Europe could play a key role on the way to climate-neutral flying if it set the right course now.
Call for sustainable aviation
This is what the online Berlin Aviation Summit will be about on Tuesday. There: EU Transport Commissioner Adina Valean, the German Minister of Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier (CDU) and the bosses of Boeing and Airbus, Michael Arthur and Guillaume Faury.
“Only sustainable aviation will give us the license to grow,” said Vice President Reiner Winkler. Work will continue on efficient engine technologies and synthetic fuels. “Research funding could be further expanded to accelerate this.”
Because in the crisis, the pressure to save grows in companies, especially among medium-sized suppliers. Some of them are vital for the entire industry because they are the only ones to offer the specialized solutions that everyone needs.
Not all airlines will survive the crisis
For years, the industry was able to plan that air traffic would double every 15 years. Now she has reduced the workforce by eight to ten percent, also by reducing working hours. The companies want to avoid layoffs, as Winkler said. “Everyone has an interest in keeping the highly qualified employees.” The short-time work helps a lot.
However, the road to old strength will be long in aviation. Hoke said: “In the optimistic case we assume that we will again reach the number of passengers of 2019 in 2023, in the pessimistic case in 2025.” Another test strategy is necessary. As long as travelers from risk areas only came out of quarantine after five days with a negative test, most passengers would not even start a trip.
Not all airlines will survive the crisis, said Winkler. From the aviation industry's point of view, the market shakeout will also be felt by passengers. It is true that prices formed on the market. “But one can assume that flying will often be more expensive than in the past,” said Hoke. “For 9.90 euros to Mallorca – that cannot cover the costs.”
