In 2020, the six largest US airlines lost $ 34 billion. It was a real disaster for passenger carriers – worse than the September 11, 2001 attacks and the global economic crisis, and some of the smaller carriers did not survive.
And the new year did not start well. At the end of January, Southwest, American and JetBlue announced their combined losses in the last three months of last year were $ 3.5 billion, and the forecast for the first quarter of this year was bleak. A similar gloomy prediction was made in statements by other airlines – Delta, United and Alaska. Air carriers are hoping to start improving their finances in the spring, when more people get the coronavirus vaccine and can start earning money in the coming summer vacation season.
But this optimistic forecast also threatens not to come true. Although the number of cases of coronavirus infection in the United States is declining, it is still high. And vaccination is developing slowly. In addition, President Biden has reinstated restrictions on foreign travel from Brazil, England and South Africa. And other foreigners flying to the United States will need to provide confirmation of a negative coronavirus test.
Newspaper headline:
Clipped wings