MANILA, Philippines — The country’s airline industry stands to lose about $4.9 billion or about P250 billion until the end of the year due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. ADVERTISEMENTAir Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP) vice chairman Roberto Lim on Monday added that 25,000 to 500,000 jobs in the airline industry and other industries related to air travel are also at stake. “ACAP has made an estimate that the loss for the industry in the Philippines is about $4.9 billion,” he said during a Senate public services committee hearing. To mitigate the losses of the industry, Lim said that it would need to “start flying again.” He added that it would be “even” if airlines are able to resume 70% of their capacities. Last week, the National Task Force against COVID-19 suspended all incoming international flights in the country’s main gateway, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, and other international airports in the country.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 11, 2020 05:03 UTC