The summer of 2022 in Europe could break any historical record for bookings, writes Leonard Berberi, in a comment for the Italian newspaper "Corriere della sera".
But shortages of airline pilots and flight attendants, ground staff and airport security officers threaten to cancel up to 114 flights across the continent this summer, disrupting holidays for more than 000 million people. This is what comes out based on the programming of mainland companies and the workforce available to airlines, operators and airport management companies. The closer we get to the peak period, between July and mid-September, the more concerns grow for those who will be flying. In Europe, there are already an average of 17 canceled flights per day.
Offer
In the third quarter of this year (July-September), 1,6 million flights are expected within Europe. Companies have sold over 260 million aircraft seats, 12% less than in the same period of 2019. But comparing this data with the available fleet and staff employed by airlines, airports and operators, it is estimated that at least 26-30 000 people serving as staff are missing. The pandemic has forced companies to send up to 45% of their workforce home, and in turn travel has resumed much sooner than expected.
concern
This shortage can only be partially reduced between July and September, as it takes at least 10-12 weeks between training and, above all, the issuing of safety certificates. But it leaves, as internal sources at four different airlines and three airport management companies confirm, real gaps. For this reason, the scenarios show a spread of flight cancellations in Europe, reaching 1 200 every day, in other words 114 000 as a quarter. As a result, disturbances could affect up to 186 people a day and up to 000 million during the summer.
areas
Where are the most critical areas? According to the "Courier" analysis, airlines, airports and companies that provide ground services in BM, the Netherlands, France and Spain are particularly suffering. They are, moreover, also the areas where Covid-19 appeared the most. For this reason, travelers who have booked a flight to/from these areas should be cautious and informed several days before travel.
reduction
There are those who have already intervened. "British Airways" has decided to cut a tenth of its flights to London until October. EasyJet has removed the last row of seats from its Airbus A319 aircraft to use fewer flight attendants on board and has further reduced the offer. "KLM" in the Netherlands has revised its program for the next few weeks downwards, also because the Amsterdam airport risks bankruptcy due to lack of staff.
US
Not that anywhere else is better. In the latest report, Cowen analysts confirm strong demand for US travel beyond 2019 levels, but supply is only around 90%. "Delta Air Lines" has 100 fewer flights per day.
How did all this come about?
Because companies don't have enough planes, they don't have enough pilots and there's also a shortage of air traffic controllers, especially in Florida. (father)
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