HomeLifestyleDestination of the weekTraveling to Europe during the summer? Consider this
Traveling to Europe during the summer? Consider this
As travelers set off on vacations to avenge being grounded for so long due to the pandemic, they are getting a reality check. Logjams at airports are ensuring a rather rocky start to their long-awaited trips
ADVERTISEMENT
By: Deutsche Welle |
June 21, 2022 4:30:22 pm
travel pandemic, europe travel summerTravelers are having to brave long queues at airports before they embark on their much-delayed holidays. (Ying Tang/NurPhoto/picture alliance)
European airports are once again inundated with travelers. This is even before summer holidays have begun in many countries.
With most of the pandemic-related restrictions lifted, people are setting off for their dream destinations, eager to make up for lost travel opportunities over the past two years — a phenomenon that is being described as “revenge travel.”
The surge in demand represents a massive turnaround in fortune for the aviation industry which was among the worst hit by the coronavirus-induced lockdowns, losing more than $230 billion (€219 billion) in 2020 with airlines accounting for the bulk of it.
However, the quick rebound has also resulted in fresh headaches for the beleaguered industry, which, taken aback by the swift recovery, is struggling to put together enough staff to deal with the influx of travelers at airports.
Staff shortages and bottlenecks at airports have led to long queues and waiting times for passengers at major European hubs like Frankfurt, Dublin and Amsterdam and hundreds of flight cancellations, threatening to take the shine off the industry’s recovery.
HomeLifestyleDestination of the weekTraveling to Europe during the summer? Consider this
Traveling to Europe during the summer? Consider this
As travelers set off on vacations to avenge being grounded for so long due to the pandemic, they are getting a reality check. Logjams at airports are ensuring a rather rocky start to their long-awaited trips
ADVERTISEMENT
By: Deutsche Welle |
June 21, 2022 4:30:22 pm
travel pandemic, europe travel summerTravelers are having to brave long queues at airports before they embark on their much-delayed holidays. (Ying Tang/NurPhoto/picture alliance)
European airports are once again inundated with travelers. This is even before summer holidays have begun in many countries.
With most of the pandemic-related restrictions lifted, people are setting off for their dream destinations, eager to make up for lost travel opportunities over the past two years — a phenomenon that is being described as “revenge travel.”
ADVERTISEMENT
🚨 Limited Time Offer | Express Premium with ad-lite for just Rs 2/ day 👉🏽 Click here to subscribe 🚨
The surge in demand represents a massive turnaround in fortune for the aviation industry which was among the worst hit by the coronavirus-induced lockdowns, losing more than $230 billion (€219 billion) in 2020 with airlines accounting for the bulk of it.
BEST OF EXPRESS PREMIUM
Newsmaker | Eknath Shinde: No. 2 after the Thackerays, backer of BJP, MVA...
Premium
Newsmaker | Eknath Shinde: No. 2 after the Thackerays, backer of BJP, MVA...
Among 3 arrested from Kutch: Key Moosewala shooter got weapons consignmen...
Premium
Among 3 arrested from Kutch: Key Moosewala shooter got weapons consignmen...
To end illegal mining, Madhya Pradesh plans to make it legal in parts of ...
Premium
To end illegal mining, Madhya Pradesh plans to make it legal in parts of ...
Premium
Express Investigation — Part 4 | At table reworking school curriculum: 24...
More Premium Stories >>
ADVERTISEMENT
However, the quick rebound has also resulted in fresh headaches for the beleaguered industry, which, taken aback by the swift recovery, is struggling to put together enough staff to deal with the influx of travelers at airports.
Staff shortages and bottlenecks at airports have led to long queues and waiting times for passengers at major European hubs like Frankfurt, Dublin and Amsterdam and hundreds of flight cancellations, threatening to take the shine off the industry’s recovery.
ADVERTISEMENT
“With governments making U-turns and policy changes there was uncertainty until the last minute, leaving little time to restart an industry that was largely dormant for two years,” Willie Walsh, head of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), said in a statement.
‘Revenge travel’
Total demand for air travel in April as measured by revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs — which counts the number of kilometers traveled by paying passengers — soared nearly 80% compared to April 2021, driven by a jump in international travel, the IATA said. It added that the demand on several routes, including Europe/Central America and Middle East/North America, was above pre-pandemic levels.
“People by now have confidence that they will have the classical city experience with restaurants, entertainment, etc. without having to worry about COVID-19 restrictions,” Axel Hefer, managing director and chief executive officer of booking platform Trivago, told DW.
You must be logged in to post a comment.