Damage over COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions is expected to cause loss of 4.5 million African jobs in the aviation sector and aviation-supported industries in the African continent this year.

That’s the conclusion of an international report published on Thursday by the Air Transport Action Group.

In the aviation sector alone, the report said some 172,000 jobs in Africa are expected to be lost by the end of 2020, what shapes roughly 40% of the continent’s 440,000 aviation jobs.

Regarding the aviation sector's share in the African economy, it is estimated the continent's GDP will fall by up to $37 billion (58% lower) compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The report came as 31 African countries are re-opening their borders to regional and international air flights months after closing their skies over the pandemic. 

However, some 22 African countries are still imposing a mandatory 14-day quarantine on travelers — regarded by the IATA as a move that stops people from traveling.

So far, over 1.4 million COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Africa, including 35,000 deaths and 1.2 million recoveries, according to the World Health Organization Thursday.

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