The Government of Brunei has forecast lowest loss of revenue in Brunei’s civil aviation industry among ASEAN member countries at US$ 114 million. Around 8,500 aviation jobs are expected to be lost in the country, according to a recent report from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

On the other hand, Thailand is expected to experience the largest loss in revenue at US$ 8.289 billion, marginally ahead of Indonesia at US$ 8.225 billion, with more than 4 million jobs expected to be lost in these two countries alone.

IATA has doubled its March forecast of the challenges facing by the international civil aviation industry saying that the lockdowns and border closures could cost ASEAN airlines US$ 38.2 billion in revenues this year and see the loss of some 7.2 million jobs as well.

Moreover, the airline trade association also forecasts that global passenger revenues will drop by some US$ 314 billion globally this year, a 55 per cent year on year decline, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Asia-Pacific Airlines are also set to see the largest fall with a drop of US$ 113 billion.

Passenger demand is similarly forecast to decline for the full year expected to see a 50 per cent drop year on year, up from the 37 per cent decline forecast in March.

In regards to across ASEAN, air traffic passenger is expected to drop by an average of 49 per cent as compared to 2019 and  Thailand, Malaysia, and Laos are expected to see the largest falls in passenger demand.

In addition to above, Brunei is uplifting from COVID-19 pandemic and it has reported one more recovered case of COVID-19 on Saturday morning. As of May 16, the country has reported 141 confirmed cases, 135 patients have completely recovered and only 1 death caused by the virus.

According to Brunei’s Ministry of Health, no new case of COVID-19 was reported on Friday (May 15) marking the eighth consecutive day without new cases since May 7. The number of active cases still being treated at the National Isolation Center decreased to five. Two patients are in critical condition. The rest of patients are in a stable condition.