A graphical presentation of air traffic data reveals the extent of the dramatic 2020 Heathrow downturn. We live directly under a main landing corridor for Heathrow Airport. So, this directly affects our quality of life. To take a closer look at the data, I decided to make a chart in festive holiday colours (as one does). Passenger traffic is down to 1/7 of previous levels. Cargo still lags, though it has had a substantial rebound in recent months. For this I am thankful, because I need my organic Peruvian blueberries, right?
In any event, with the decline in air traffic I have been sleeping better. The lockdown has provided me with more time to ponder the joys of my little garden. Alas, this calm is also a reflection of severe economic and social disruption due to COVID-19. And, on the horizon in the new year is the end of the transitional phase of Brexit. This entails a further potential for disruption to trade with the EU. There has been progress in the EU-UK negotiations to soften the blow. Economists and business leaders are making the case for a liberal arrangement. Alas, UK politics being as they are, there remains a risk of a no deal Brexit for EU-UK trade.
A balanced Brexit outcome will provide the UK with continued openness to commerce on a preferential basis with its closest trading partner. This is clearly in the economic interest of the EU and the UK. Combined with a successful roll out of a COVID-19 vaccine, we may come closer to realisation of the full potential of this post-Brexit trade relationship. And, considering where I live, I hope that much of this commerce is via rail and sea!
The chart data are from here: https://www.heathrow.com/…/reports/traffic-
So glad to know you are enjoying quieter skies during the pandemic. I’m also appreciating the slower, more gentle pace of life–and feel gratitude we have a roof over our head and jobs we can continue to work at. Sending love to you and Dani!
Thanks for the reply. Indeed, we feel likewise blessed. We try to pay back some of the debt to society as we are able to along the way. But, there are some larger systemic imbalances that will require a collective response, if we are to make lasting headway.
Interesting. We flew to the USA on Tuesday in what I believe was an Airbus 300 with less than 30 fellow passengers. The daily flight by Alitalia combines both Delta and Air France airlines.
Whoa, that sounds like a dream flight from a passenger’s perspective. I read that in some parts of the world airlines are keeping sections blocked out and using the vacant passenger seating (or seating areas) for cargo or parcels. This helps to reduce the CO2 burden from flying with the seats empty (ie, at least goods are moved, in addition to the passengers).