IATA fears member airlines may post losses exceeding US$ 39bn in Q2-2020
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently published new analysis showing that airlines may burn through US$ 61bn of their cash reserves during Q2-2020 ending 30 June 2020, while posting a quarterly net loss of US$ 39bn.
This analysis is based on the latest impact assessment IATA report under a scenario in which severe travel restrictions last for three months. In this scenario, full-year demand falls by 38% and full-year passenger revenues drop by US$ 252bn compared to 2019. The fall in demand would be the deepest in the second quarter, with a 71% drop.
The impact will be severe, driven by the following factors:
- Revenues are expected to fall by 68%. This is less than the expected 71% fall in demand due to the continuation of cargo operations, albeit at reduced levels of activity
- Variable costs are expected to drop sharply—by some 70% in the second quarter—largely in line with the reduction of an expected 65% cut in second quarter capacity. The price of jet fuel has also fallen sharply, although we estimate that fuel hedging will limit the benefit to a 31% decline.
- Fixed and semi-fixed costs amount to nearly half an airline’s cost. We expect semi-fixed costs (including crew costs) to be reduced by a third. Airlines are cutting what they can, while trying to preserve their workforce and businesses for the future recovery.
These changes to revenues and costs result in an estimated net loss of $39 billion in the second quarter, an IATA press statement indicated.
‘On top of unavoidable costs, airlines are faced with refunding sold but unused tickets as a result of massive cancellations resulting from government-imposed restrictions on travel. The second quarter liability for these is a colossal US$ 35bn. Cash burn will be severe. We estimate airlines could be burning through US$ 61bn of their cash balances in the second quarter,’ the communiqué continued.
“Airlines cannot cut costs fast enough to stay ahead of the impact of this crisis. We are looking at a devastating net loss of US$ 39bn in the second quarter. The impact of that on cash burn will be amplified by a US$ 35bn liability for potential ticket refunds. Without relief, the industry’s cash position could deteriorate by US$ 61bn in the second quarter,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
“This is a vital time buffer so that the sector can continue to function. In turn, that will help preserve the sector’s ability to deliver the cargo shipments that are vital today and the long-term connectivity that travelers and economies will depend on in the recovery phase,” concluded de Juniac.
