THE CORONA VIRUS CRISIS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON THE AIR TRANSPORT SECTOR IN ALGERIA A COMPARATIVE STUDY WITH SOME ARAB COUNTRIES

Résumé

This study aims to examine the implications and losses faced by the air transport sector in Algeria compared to some Arab countries in light of the lockdown of borders and the suspension of most flights after the spread of the Corona virus in early 2020. Especially in light of the structural problems that the sector suffers under the state of monopoly of the National Company AIR AlGERIE which has always resorted to the intervention of public authorities to finance its deficit. The study based on the descriptive analytical method. As for data sources, the research relied on data issued by the International and Arab Civil Aviation Organization as well as the data of airlines. The results of the study show a loss of revenues of 273 billion $ by international airlines in 2020, and in Algeria, and considering that the National Company AIRALGERIE almost monopolizes the domestic flight market and has several international destinations, it was not spared from these effects, with estimated losses of more than 320 million$, in addition to the regular losses that the company has achieved for several years. It seems that the period of recovery of the aviation sector will be long in light of the expected reluctance to travel and the expected increase in the cost of aviation, which requires the necessity of restructuring the air transport market in Algeria.