(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Almost 2.5 million people passed through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints on the second Sunday in April 2019. One year later, that number was just 90,510.
Such a dramatic and unprecedented collapse in air passenger numbers bodes ill not just for the aviation and travel industries, but also for the wider global economy. Furthermore, even if rates of Covid-19 infections begin to decline, individuals may shun air travel and countries may establish strict biosecurity controls — unless and until a coronavirus vaccine is developed and adopted worldwide.
It should be noted that the TSA itself, along with many other public-facing services, has been hit by coronavirus: As of April 15, 405 TSA employees have tested positive for Covid-19; 48 employees have recovered and three have died.
The Bloomberg World Airlines Index tracks 28 of the world’s leading airline stocks. Although the index has fallen by almost 50% since the crisis began (and 25% since March), airline prices have recently stabilized slightly in the hope of government support.
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners.
Ben Schott is a Bloomberg Opinion visual columnist. He created the Schott’s Original Miscellany and Schott’s Almanac series, and writes for newspapers and magazines around the world.
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