COVID-19 and the Aviation Industry: A Message of Patience and Hope
Bhanu Choudhrie is the founder of both global private equity firm C&C Alpha Group and pilot training company Alpha Aviation. He shares a message of patience and hope for the aviation industry during these unprecedented times.
Safety First
When uncertainty hangs over any industry, it can feel like death by a thousand cuts, but while aviation has definitely suffered its share of losses in recent weeks, it’s more important than ever before to focus on the things we can control. When it comes to the priorities for leaders during these times, nothing should come before the safety of both your employees and your community. At Alpha Aviation Group, we want to help airlines and aviation companies prosper. To do our part for COVID-19 we’re practicing social distancing and we’re encouraging others to do the same.
It’s not easy to maintain a positive mindset during this time, especially in an economic sector that’s been affected as significantly as aviation. Such pressures can cloud the bigger picture for even the most rational of individuals, but the greater our collective discipline in complying with safety guidelines during this period, the faster our industry will recover.
As in many sectors, aviation is driven first and foremost by cash flow. Not all aviation businesses are suffering equally, but even in the best of circumstances, most don’t have significant cash reserves to cover a near-total collapse of revenue. Even the most profitable organizations in the sector are now trying to innovate and adapt their service offering for a world post covid-19.
These downturns will hit the smaller carriers of the world especially hard, which could lead to a restructuring of the aviation competition we’ve seen for the past 50 years. The global supply chain supporting airlines from countless other industries will be feeling the pressure, from upgrade, support and aircraft maintenance firms, to food and beverage providers.
The good news is that our industry has shown incredible resiliency in the past, even under some very trying circumstances. Aviation is a necessary service, one which can and will recover over time and I hope this period brings new innovations and technologies that will help support the industry after social distancing measures have been lifted.
There are already some services that are well placed to thrive during the crisis such as flight simulators — honing the skills of new pilots and keeping seasoned pilots just as sharp whilst grounded. As things adjust into the new order, we could see greater efficiency and more collaboration as a means of getting everyone back on track.
Related: Bhanu Choudhrie Launches 6th Simulator at Aviation Training Center in the Philippines
Looking Ahead
I’ve been lucky enough to support Alpha Aviation Group during a period of rapid growth, but I’ve also had the opportunity to see where and how the industry responds to pressure. It takes creativity to handle these situations as a leader, but it also takes persistence.
For leaders everywhere, it is easy to succumb to decision-fatigue and to change course with every new piece of information. However, right now the industry needs you to be proactive rather than reactive to identify the opportunities that will help the aviation industry adapt to the ‘new normal’ and to help to shape the long-term future of the industry. It’s an old adage, but hoping for the best, whilst preparing for the worst will help us stay on track.
Stay hopeful and stay patient, the aviation industry needs you now more than ever.
