Trade body IATA estimates there will be a 48% fall in flights globally this year because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Manufacturers are responding by slashing production.
Our survey reveals the impact of Covid-19 on aerospace testing and development. 165 readers responded during May.
1. What best describes the mood within your company?
18% Optimistic and confident
52% Resilient and coping
27% Pessimistic– we’re taking a large hit
3% Fatalistic–this could be the end of our company
Crisis can bring out the best in people and organizations and overall ATI’s readers have reacted positively, with most showing confidence and belief in the resilience of their companies.
2. How long do you think the coronavirus pandemic will impact your business for?
8% Up to 6 months
33% 6-12 months
54% More than a year
2% It hasn’t impacted our business
3% Don’t know
Covid-19 has caused uncertainty and ATI readers are split on whether its impact on their business will last longer than the next 12 months.
3. How would you describe the effect of coronavirus on your business?
4% There has been a dramatic increase in work
10% There has been an increase in work
20% There has been no change in workload
34% There has been a decrease in activity
32% There has been a dramatic decrease in activity
Most reader’s have had less to do because of the pandemic, although 15% have experienced an increase in their workload, perhaps due to furloughing of other staff.
4. Which sector do you work in?
43% Civil
12% Defense
45% Both
Covid-19’s effect on the civil aviation sector is pronounced, but almost two thirds of ATI readers work in the defense sector in some way, which is so far better protected from the economic effects of the pandemic.
5. How much of a delay will the pandemic cause to programs and other work?
14% No delays at all
19% Up to 3 months of delay
28% 3-6 months delay
27% 6-12 months of delay
12% More than a year’s delay
While much of aviation has been on pause during the pandemic, most test engineers have continued working and development programs have continued – most delays to programs will be kept to under a year.
6. Did your main workplace close as a result of the virus?
44% Yes
56 % No
Interestingly, slightly more companies kept their main workplaces open throughout the pandemic, perhaps a sign of the vital work many do and the physical nature of the work.
7. What percentage of your company’s workforce has been furloughed, laid off or put on short-term working arrangements to mitigate the impact of the pandemic?
50% 0-19%
9% 20-39%
13% 40-59%
10% 60-79%
18% 80% or more
ATI reader’s companies have either manage to limit furloughing, or furloughed almost everyone, perhaps reflecting the variation in the size of companies working within the testing sector
8. Will your company be reopening your workplace with adjusted hours and more segregated working practices during the next 6 months?
70% Yes
5% No
25% Don’t know
Undoubtedly the immediate impact of the pandemic has been a change in working practices, which most firms will stick to for at least the remainder of the year.
9. Do you think your company will be implementing more working from home as a result of the pandemic?
50% Yes
16% No
18% I hope so
16% I see no need to permanently change working arrangements
Almost two thirds of readers have seen or want to see an increase in working from home because of the pandemic. Flexible working could become one of the legacies of the Covid-19 pandemic.
