This year, Covid-19 caused travel rates to plummet. After the virus was deemed a global pandemic, many countries shut down their borders to incoming tourists and visitors. Eventually, large travel airlines such as Delta, United, and American Airlines saw significant drops in revenue from commercial flights. In fact, Delta reported “$12.4 billion in losses for all of 2020. It is the largest annual loss in the history of the airline…” (Koenig). This year has changed the future of travel forever.

In the spring of 2020, people were encouraged to stay home as much as possible. Schools, businesses, office buildings, arenas, and all other social aspects of life were shut down. As a result of these restrictions, energy demands around the world have altered. People forced into their homes had fewer reasons to travel. This not only impacted airlines, but also the average use of cars. In some ways, the decrease in daily travel has had positive effects on the environment.  “Daily global CO2 emissions decreased by –17% by early April 2020 compared with the mean 2019 levels, just under half from changes in surface transport. At their peak, emissions in individual countries decreased by –26% on average” (Nature). Although the pandemic caused global economies to plummet, it did result in an extremely large decrease in fossil fuel emissions.

Over time, restrictions on travel, both domestic and international, have been lifted. With new progress being made with vaccination distribution, travel regulations have loosened. Since the summer of 2020, travel bans have been slowly taken away. “As more people worldwide become eligible for the coronavirus vaccine, states and countries allow the fully vaccinated to waive the testing and quarantine requirements” (Forbes). As fully vaccinated individuals are being exempt from quarantines, there is more incentive to travel. Globally, people who have been cooped up throughout the year are looking forward to traveling again.

Image via (AP News)