What Happens If The Philippines Shuts Its Airspace for Six Hours?
By Cat Dewinta - May 08, 2023
The Philippines’ airspace is due to be shut down for a six-hour period on May 17. More than the shutdown, businesses should prepare for potential disruptions in logistics and transportation. The temporary shutdown could cause serious economic repercussions as businesses are forced to find alternative routes for their goods and services.
The shutdown will have a widespread impact on the whole country. Here are some possible impacts that could arise:
Disruption of trade flows – The closure of airspace could significantly affect international trade both within and outside the country. Due to shipment delays, businesses may be unable to achieve delivery schedules or even suffer financial losses. Air transport is frequently used in international trade to carry time-sensitive commodities such as fresh food, medications, and electronics. Cargo planes cannot function when airspace is limited, and businesses may struggle to meet delivery dates. This might result in financial losses since they may have to cover the price of delayed shipments, compensate for lost commercial prospects, or possibly face contract violation fines.
Increased costs for air freight – With fewer flight options available, companies may see an increase in freight rates as airlines attempt to capitalize on the temporary shutdown. When airspace is closed, the number of available flights decreases, resulting in a decrease in supply. At the same time, demand for cargo and passenger transportation remains steady or may even rise, producing a capacity shortage. As airlines try to capitalize on the temporary shutdown, the supply-demand imbalance may cause freight rates to rise. Airlines may temporarily increase ticket prices to compensate for lost revenue from canceled flights. This could increase freight charges, which would be detrimental to businesses that rely on air transportation for their supply chain.
Loss of revenue for airports – When airspace is closed, airlines are obliged to cancel flights, reducing air traffic and airport revenue. The country’s major airports, such as Manila, Cebu, and Davao, could experience a decline in profits due to fewer flights. The closing of airspace can result in a large fall in the number of flights, resulting in financial loss for airport authorities.
In addition, airports in Manila, Cebu, and Davao function as central points for connecting flights to other areas within the country and the surrounding region. The drop in flights due to airspace restrictions may reduce the number of connecting flights, significantly impacting the tourism business.
Negative impact on tourism – The closing of airspace may have an immense adverse effect on the Philippines’ tourism industry. Due to fewer flight options, travelers traveling to and from the Philippines might decide to cancel or postpone their travels due to cost or availability issues.
Brace For Its Impact
Air transportation is crucial for the tourism industry as it is the primary means of travel for tourists from other countries. The closing of airspace may cause tourists’ plans to be disrupted, resulting in fewer visits to the country. Tourists may have difficulty obtaining alternative flights or may be discouraged from traveling due to rising flying costs as a result of restricted supply.
The impending shutdown of airspace poses an unprecedented challenge to logistics companies.
To offset potential losses, businesses should investigate alternate logistical solutions, such as using sea freight instead of air freight or employing more robust ground transportation networks using trucks and other delivery vehicles. Those who will be directly or indirectly affected by the airspace closure on May 17 should stay informed about any changes in regulations and continue to monitor developments closely.
This will help guarantee that logistics companies are well-prepared to deal with potential disruptions. Businesses can seek to reduce losses caused by unforeseen situations like this through proactive preparation and swift adaptability.
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