Opinion on the Travel Industry During COVID from an Airline Brat

Pexel Image: Air Canada

So I’m exactly what you would call an Airline Brat, actually you could call me an Airline Brat x2 because I’m a second generation pilots kid. I grew up with rescheduled Easters and birthdays because my dad wasn’t home for it, but it was always made up for because we could go away with him for a weekend trip.

An airport is a comforting place for me, travelling was always a welcomed and encouraged activity.  So when COVID hit, I saw this industry that holds a place in my heart and my history crumble to absolute pieces. My dad is one of the lucky few who still has employment and continues to fly even during this pandemic, but for the majority of the industry it’s been an almost complete wipe out. So here are some of my thoughts about how this has been handled.

The travel industry was one of the most predominantly hit from COVID-19 and while other industries have received financial support from the government, airlines are now only finally expecting to get something around February. This has been after months of pleading, that was only recognized by the government last month.

Pexel Image: West Jet

Which is ridiculous considering that other businesses that were hit, such as bars, clubs, venues, even casinos were able to receive financial support before them. Even though they can still operate functionally while airlines have lost 90% of their business.

This again makes little sense when other countries have given sufficient support to their main airlines, for example, France and the Netherlands are providing bail outs to their airlines that are in the 10 billion dollar range. 

While it’s completely relevant to not want to travel at this time, or even travel to the next city over, it should be noted that the travel industry is a necessity to Canada’s economy and it should not be one of the things that gets brushed aside.

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