Latin America’s stricken airlines facing long haul to recovery

Latin America’s stricken airlines facing long haul to recovery

A security guard stands guard at the Benito Juarez International Airport, amid the outbreak of coronavirus disease in Mexico City.. MEXICO CITY: Latin America's beleaguered airlines will take up to three years to recover losses due to the coronavirus pandemic, and in the meantime desperately need government help, according to experts surveying the damage to the industry.. It will take a lot of work," said Peter Cerda, IATA vice president for the Americas.. With countries across the region in lockdown, flight activity has plummeted 93 percent from around 200,000 a day, with losses in revenue estimated at $18 billion.. It's support, immediate relief that allows the industry to sustain operations," said Cerda.. Airlines are seeking tax relief and credit guarantees from governments.. "Airports and airlines as well as governments are all losing out at this juncture," because of the lack of connectivity across the continent, says Fernando Gomez Suarez, an aviation industry analyst in Mexico.. preserve 10,000 direct jobs as well as the livelihood of up to 200,000 people the government says are dependent on the airline indirectly.. Analyst Gomez Suarez says the markets left vacant by stricken airlines will quickly be absorbed by others..