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COVID-19: a new era in aviation

COVID-19 presents short- and long-term challenges to airlines and the wider aviation industry. However, it also creates an opportunity for positive change and growth.

As the industry focuses on safely returning to the skies and resuming operations, it can seize the moment to improve operational efficiency and minimize known risks. As the aviation industry charts a course toward recovery, it is critical for airlines to address immediate challenges while also working to build a more efficient and sustainable future. COVID-19 teaches us a key lesson: people achieve more, faster when we collaborate with a common purpose. Shell Aviation’s priority throughout the crisis has been to ensure we’re ready when our customers need us.

As part of our “Flightpath” series, we’re showcasing leading perspectives that address the complex challenges airlines face as they recover from the pandemic. We hope these conversations, along with the rest of our series inspire you with new ideas and actionable ways to move forward, together.

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Watch: What does aviation’s future look like in a post-COVID-19 world?

Anna Mascolo COVID-19 recovery video

Watch: Aviation’s recovery from Coronavirus

As airlines plan for the recovery phase of the COVID-19 crisis, restoring passengers’ confidence to fly is at the epicenter of air travel discussions. With much incertitude around entry and visa requirements, quarantine periods, and even refunds from cancellations, there is an urgency for the aviation industry to implement measures that will help provide air travelers a peace of mind. Aviation analyst Alex Macheras examines the challenges commercial air travel faces and how we can collectively overcome it.

Watch: Aviation’s recovery from COVID-19

Navigating the pathway to sustainable aviation

The aviation industry is on its way to returning to the skies, and part of that return must include reducing its emissions. The current options are limited and complex, but with urgent action and collaboration from multiple stakeholders and consumer demand for sustainable aviation still strong, significant reductions in aviation emissions are possible.

The threat of microbial contamination in grounded aircraft

In response to COVID-19, unprecedented numbers of passenger aircraft have been grounded with fuel left standing in aircraft wing tanks. For many airlines, this creates the unfamiliar need to proactively monitor and manage the risk of microbial contamination. Shell expert, Robert Midgley, Global Technical and Quality Manager highlights the problem and response to microbe contamination which, if left unchecked, can lead to defuelling and clean-up, or worse, airframe corrosion and blocked fuel systems.

It’s time to eliminate traditional filter monitors

Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) is a key component in filter monitors that are in standard use across the industry to ensure fuel quality while refuelling aircraft. However, given the accumulated evidence against SAP, the industry recognises the need for new options. At a time when the industry's margin for risk is smaller than ever, is your airline doing enough to mitigate the hidden threats associated with Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP)?

Flightpath: exploring the future of aviation

Today’s challenges loom larger and more complex than ever, making that spirit of innovation and collaboration even more essential. That’s why we created “Flightpath”, a digital hub to spark conversations, share expert perspectives and offer potential solutions on issues that are central to the future of our industry.

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