COVID-19, Aviation Industry Only Prepared Until May
Translator
Ricky Mohammad Nugraha
Editor
Markus Wisnu Murti
Senin, 13 April 2020 15:56 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Secretary-general of the National Air Carriers Association (INACA) Bayu Sutanto said that the aviation industry’s risk assumptions on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was only designed to last from April to May 2020.
“In the end, if the emergency status gets extended, [we] cannot decide what the solution would be,” said Bayu to Tempo on Monday, April 13.
According to Bayu, the aviation industry is still trying various strategies to keep businesses afloat, such as by slashing employee wages in an attempt to avert layoffs. Other strategies include delaying operational cost payments up to completely stopping operations.
He explained if the coronavirus pandemic exceeded May, Indonesian air carriers would face a “difficult situation” that would force them to make difficult decisions.
This fiscal condition looming over the aviation industry was confirmed by AirAsia founder Tony Fernandes, who said that he and CEO Kamarudi Meranun would make a decision to not take their wages throughout the COVID-19 emergency period.
FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA