The global air travel landscape has undergone a significant transformation since the pandemic, favoring established hubs while leaving some cities with fewer direct connections. In Southeast Asia, for instance, the pre-pandemic connectivity between the region and Europe has dwindled. Airlines like Philippine Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, and Thai Airways have significantly reduced their European flights. Manila and Jakarta no longer have direct flights to London, Kuala Lumpur has lost its direct link to Frankfurt, and the Bangkok-Rome route has vanished. Singapore, however, remains an exception, maintaining robust connectivity, particularly as it hosts a major air show. This trend is not limited to Southeast Asia. In the United States, cities like Detroit and even Washington, D.C., are witnessing a reduction in direct flights to Europe. Fort Lauderdale, once boasting over 50 monthly direct flights to London and Paris, now has none. This uneven recovery highlights the challenges facing the airline industry post-pandemic. While hubs like Singapore and New York are thriving, becoming more interconnected than ever, many other cities are facing a reduction in services. This is attributed to factors such as shortages of new aircraft and spare parts, alongside escalating costs that are impacting airline profitability, leading to the elimination of previously profitable routes. Overall, while the airline industry shows signs of recovery, the resurgence is not uniform. Traditional hubs are solidifying their positions at the expense of smaller markets, potentially leaving them excluded from major international air travel routes in the long term.
