How coronavirus could impact airfares
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As air travel restarts, social distancing on aircraft has become a topic of debate. Airlines could reduce capacity by leaving middle seats empty, but most would struggle to make a profit without increasing fares
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AVERAGE AIRFARES BY REGION ($)

With social distancing measures on aircraft (estimate)

In 2019

Africa and Middle East
259
181
+43%

Asia and Pacific
141
217
+54%

Europe
135
201
+49%

Latin America
146
219
+50%

North America
202
289
+43%

North Asia*
135
195
+45%
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Social distancing measures on aircraft mean airlines would be able to use just 62 percent of available capacity – well below industry average of 77 percent required to break even

*Comprises China, Taiwan, Mongolia and North Korea
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Sources: IATA, Reuters Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS