How will the Southern African airline industry emerge from COVID-19 crisis?

The global aviation industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a significant economic impact leading to widespread job losses, airline restructuring, and the closure of businesses. In Southern Africa, the airline sector has faced its fair share of challenges, with Comair recently entering voluntary business rescue and South African Airways (SAA) exploring the possibility of establishing a new national carrier. To shed light on the current state of affairs in the Southern African airline industry, Chris Zweigenthal, the Chief Executive Officer of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, joined CNBC Africa for an in-depth discussion. The interview delved into the implications of the pandemic on the region's aviation sector and the prospects for recovery. The key theme of the conversation centered around the resilience of the industry and the strategies needed to navigate the turbulent skies ahead. Three key points emerged from the interview: First, the impact of the pandemic on airline operations in the region has been severe, with many carriers facing financial constraints and operational challenges. Second, the need for government support and strategic partnerships to facilitate the recovery of the airline sector was underscored. Finally, the importance of innovation and adaptation in response to the changing landscape of the aviation industry was highlighted. According to Zweigenthal, "If we can find a way to get the motivation through to government to say look we believe that we can use the airline industry to re-energize the economy, there are opportunities for growth and development." As the industry grapples with unprecedented challenges, collaboration and innovation will be key to charting a path towards recovery and sustainable growth.