Cyprus aviation traffic has shrivelled by 91.6%, compared to the same period last year, following the March 21 decree of the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works to lock Cyprus airports for 14 days due to the coronavirus pandemic. The situation is similar to all other EU countries as major airports announce flight suspensions.
According to Eurocontrol data, the largest drop in air traffic at Nicosia FIR, which includes overflights but also arrivals and departures from the two Cyprus airports, was recorded on March 28, reaching 91.6% compared to the same day in 2019. The last increase in air traffic was recorded on March 13, 2020. Currently there are only special passenger flights, after approval as set out in the Decree of the Minister of Transport and also commercial flights.
The highest daily increase in air traffic for 2020 in Nicosia FIR was recorded on March 12, by 29.2% compared to the same day in 2019. As for air traffic on March 21, the first day of the flight ban, the reduction reached 67.4%, compared to the same day in 2019, while on March 22 the air traffic drop  reached 87.1%.
As for other EU Member States, air traffic at Germany FIR declined by 87.2% on March 29 and by 84.1% on the previous day, compared to the same period last year, while at France FIR air traffic decreased by 92.6% and 89%, respectively.
In addition, air traffic at Greece FIR declined by 88.8% on March 29 and by 76.5% on March 28, compared the same days of 2019.
A large number of airlines worldwide have been completely shut down, and there are very few airlines operating. This, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), will lead to the closure of several companies and others will be forced to reorganize their flight program.
IATA reports a possible $76 billion loss of revenue for European airlines and a 46% reduction in passenger traffic compared to 2019.
Such a decrease puts at risk about 5.6 million jobs across the EU, and $ 378 billion that the aviation sector contributes to the European GDP.
(CNA)
