RESQTEC registers at least 121 incidents with disabled aircraft across the world in 2021.
While the majority of the incidents fall within category I, a light incident, the average closure time of a runway or airport remains high with 10 hours.
After another year of dealing with the lasting impact of COVID-19 on air transport demand, we can look back at how this has impacted the number of incidents with disabled aircraft and aircraft recovery operations worldwide.
Based on the 2021 World Airport Traffic Report (WATR) published by RESQTEC’s partner Airports Council International (ACI) World, global passenger traffic in 2021 was expected to reach only half of what it was in 2019, totalling only 4.6 billion of the 9.2 billion passengers served two years ago. Cargo traffic has been affected less, but nevertheless the global air cargo volume was expected to decline by at least 10% compared to 2019.
Similar to the year 2020, we did not see the significant decrease in global aircraft movements affect the number of incidents with disabled aircraft. In 2019, pre-COVID-19, the number of registered incidents with disabled aircraft around the world was 155. In 2020 this number decreased to 119. A decrease that was to be expected, although a higher decrease was to be expected if the number of incidents was directly related to the number of aircraft movements. In 2021 we registered at least 121 incidents with disabled aircraft globally, averaging approximately 2.3 incidents per week. On average, this resulted in an average closure time of a runway or airport of approximately 10 hours. The longest recovery operation took at least 96 hours (or four days). Incidents have occurred anywhere and at any time across the world. An overview of the statistics can be found in the RESQTEC Aircraft Recovery Statistics Report 2021.
Our statistics show that preparedness for disabled aircraft recovery operations remains low. While the majority of the incidents fall within category I, a light incident, the average closure time of a runway or airport remains high with 10 hours. Both aircraft and airport operators often lack the required preparation (e.g. disabled aircraft recovery plan), knowledge (e.g. trained and certified staff) and equipment (e.g. aircraft lifting equipment, aircraft moving equipment, support equipment) to perform a quick and safe aircraft recovery operation.
Together with partners such as IATA and ACI, RESQTEC puts a lot of effort in raising awareness and increasing preparedness for disabled aircraft recovery operations. Being prepared will save time and limit the disruption to your operation. The right knowledge and practical experience are crucial for an aircraft recovery operation to go quick and efficient. Training plays a key role in the preparation process of aircraft recovery teams. RESQTEC offers both theoretical and practical training courses and has multiple aircraft recovery training centres across the world.
For more information about this training and our product and training portfolio you can contact Martijn Poen at RESQTEC at martijn@resqtec.com or at 0031252419002.
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