Airlines industry faces novel issues, what is the way ahead?

The pandemic has upended many industries and passenger air travel has been one of the worst-hit ones. The lockdown on movement of people had practically dried the business for airlines. But now with the nation being unlocked gradually and steadily, the industry looks at ways in which it can keep it afloat.

Four simultaneous changes are being considered to survive and then thrive in the ‘new normal’ of the pandemic COVID-19.

The first change is disruption management. Disruption management is the ability to continue offering the service even when there is no stability in external and internal situations. The primary requirement is the very-latest data round-the-clock. Next, the system implemented by the airlines need to be quick enough to react in real-time. Next, the updates need to be informed to the customers in real-time.

Pre-COVID-19, the classification of where the passengers will be seated and where the cargo will go was clear. Now, it is not. Setting up of seating arrangements has been modified due to social distancing. In addition, some routes may not have any passengers but only cargo to haul. Also, last-minute changes are to be expected. All this calls for an ability to be nimble, to be able to reseat passengers and adjust weight and load balance. Again, technology will be critical for this repurposing also.

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Unite to survive, or in other words consolidation among companies when there is a disruption to the entire industry, or a massive pressure on margins, is common among all businesses. The airlines will also have to interlink and codeshare. Consequently, more and better options will have to be provided to customers.

The fourth and final approach is focused on the customer. The public needs to be tempted back to fly again. The public has many concerns – about health, security, cost, refund in case of cancellation, etc. The airlines are a natural disadvantage against road travel in private cars. Thus, the customer will require all the reassurances that the airlines can bring up. The foundation will be advanced availability management.

The path to prosperity for airline industry and all it stakeholders including the people employed at all levels is long and tough. But, we need to persevere.