A1 Journal article (refereed)
The Impacts of COVID-19 on Domestic Aviation in Finland and the Potential Role of Electric Aircraft for a Green Recovery (2025)
Baumeister, S., Leung, A., & Ryley, T. (2025). The Impacts of COVID-19 on Domestic Aviation in Finland and the Potential Role of Electric Aircraft for a Green Recovery. Transportation Research Procedia, 82, 660-673. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2024.12.065
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Baumeister, Stefan; Leung, Abraham; Ryley, Tim
Journal or series: Transportation Research Procedia
ISSN: 2352-1457
eISSN: 2352-1465
Publication year: 2025
Publication date: 09/01/2025
Volume: 82
Pages range: 660-673
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication country: Netherlands
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2024.12.065
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/99426
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a major downturn in the aviation industry that has not only affected international flights but also domestic aviation. Airlines have adjusted their timetables accordingly, but load factors have remained low. This has resulted in a loss of profitability and a large increase of greenhouse gas emissions of individual air passengers. In order to prevent airlines from closing routes, governments have provided subsidies. However, these subsidies are in sharp contrast with the climate goals of many countries. This study explores the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the domestic aviation sector in Finland based on actual passenger and landing data. It takes the changes in environmental impacts resulting from the demand shift cause by the pandemic into account. In addition, this study considers the replacement of existing aircraft with those powered electrically, in order to address the significant drop in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic and provide an alternative for a green recovery from the pandemic. Finally, based on our findings we provide a series of policy recommendations.
Keywords: COVID-19; air traffic; aviation sector; electric airplanes; climate changes; green transition
Free keywords: climate change; aviation industry; COVID-19; load factor; electric aircraft; green recovery
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2025
Preliminary JUFO rating: 1