Airline Industry on the Upswing, But Pandemic Revealed Fragility

After facing significant challenges in recent years, the airline industry is now showing signs of recovery. With increasing travel demand, airlines are purchasing new planes, competing for pilots, and witnessing the emergence of new carriers. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the industry’s vulnerability, leading to the demise of 64 airlines worldwide as air travel came to a standstill. This article explores the impact of the pandemic on airlines and highlights some famous carriers that vanished during and before the crisis.

The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Toll on Airlines: The aviation industry suffered greatly during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the closure of 64 airlines worldwide. This devastating impact showcased the fragility of airlines and revealed vulnerabilities that had remained hidden for a long time. Steve Ehrlich, Chairman of Pilots Together, expressed his concern about the massive impact on numerous carriers, emphasizing that the pandemic brought to light weaknesses that were previously overlooked.

Notable Airlines Lost Before the Pandemic: While the pandemic saw a significant number of airlines collapse, it is worth noting that the airline industry has faced challenges even before 2020.

Some famous airlines experienced abrupt ends for various reasons in the last 40 years:

1. Aigle Azur: The second-largest airline in France, Aigle Azur, shut down in September 2019 after failing to secure new investors, despite serving around 1.9 million passengers mainly between France and Algeria.
2. Air Berlin: Germany’s second-largest airline at its peak, Air Berlin faced financial troubles, leading to its cessation of operations in 2017. The airline’s assets were distributed among other carriers, such as Lufthansa and easyJet.
3. Aloha Airlines: Once known as the “People’s Airline,” Aloha Airlines operated successfully for decades, serving Hawaiian destinations and the United States. However, an accident in 1988 and subsequent financial struggles resulted in bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 in 2008.
4. Braniff International: An iconic American airline, Braniff International ceased operations in 1982 due to increased competition and rising fuel costs following the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978.
5. Eastern Airlines: A prominent name in American aviation, Eastern Airlines was part of the “Big Four” carriers in the US. After filing for bankruptcy protection in 1989, the airline eventually ceased operations in 1991.
6. Flybe: Once the largest regional carrier in Europe, Flybe faced continuous struggles before finally entering administration in 2020. Although briefly revived in 2021, the airline’s operations ended in January 2023.
7. Interflug: The national airline of East Germany, Interflug, found it challenging to compete against Western airlines during the 1980s and ceased operations after Germany’s reunification in 1990.
8. Malev Hungarian Airlines: Despite embracing modernization, Malev faced financial difficulties and insolvency in 2012, leading to its closure.
9. Monarch Airlines: A prominent UK carrier specializing in charter and scheduled flights, Monarch Airlines collapsed in 2017 due to fierce competition in the budget airline sector and other external factors.
10. Pan Am: Once the leading international airline, Pan Am’s decline started in the 1970s, and deregulation in 1978 played a significant role in its eventual shutdown in 1991.
11. Thomas Cook Airlines: The UK-based Thomas Cook Airlines succumbed to bankruptcy in 2019, leading to a massive repatriation effort for stranded customers.
12. Wind Jet: Despite initially becoming Italy’s third-largest airline, Wind Jet’s financial difficulties led to its closure in 2012.

The airline industry’s recovery after the turmoil of recent years offers hope for the future. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the sector’s susceptibility to unexpected crises. As airlines adapt to the evolving travel landscape, remembering the airlines lost and the lessons learned will be crucial for the industry’s resilience moving forward.