Post-Lockdown Flights: New Strategies for Civil Aircraft Manufacturers and Airlines

Abstract

This chapter, “Post-lockdown Flights: New Strategies for Civil Aircraft Manufacturers and Airlines,” presents an original approach to the study of the impact that the suspension of passenger aircraft flights during the pandemic has had on the formation of trajectories for maintaining stability, as well as on strategies for diversifying the activities of aviation industry companies. Aviation is seen as a driver of a countries’ development and a point of pride. It is clear that, therefore, the pandemic has come as a shock to the airline industry, with a large decline in passenger traffic and a delay in the delivery of new aircraft. This study used aviation statistics to confirm the conclusions of the crisis situation, as well as strategic and scenario analysis and modeling, taking into account the variability of the expected actions on the part of representatives of the aviation industry and objective competition among airlines for the most popular air routes and business jet flights. This chapter presents an assessment of the development strategy of Russian airlines, including modeling possible trajectories of a gradual increase in the number of flights as the borders open, domestic tourism develops, and vaccination is carried out in the world. The prospects of new aircraft produced by the Russian aircraft corporation and their niche orientation are determined, taking into account the restoration of medium-capacity flights and flight range. The conclusion is reached about the important role of the governments in supporting the aviation industry in the pandemic period and the need for joint efforts to ensure flight safety for passengers.