The air cargo industry is justifiably proud of what it has achieved since those first COVID-19 vaccines took to the skies last December, but operators know the challenge is far from over and the vaccine effort will continue in 2022 against the backdrop of many broader challenges for the industry.

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced that the suspension of most flights will be extended until midnight on Jan. 31, 2022.

While the return of some long-haul passenger activity will boost belly capacity, strong air cargo demand is set to boost cargo conversions.

Airline executives attending the World Aviation Festival in London say officials of smaller companies are returning to the air quicker than those of larger corporations, which remain bound by travel restrictions.

The airline industry anticipated a strong rebound in 2022, but more border closures and restrictions will make that harder to achieve.

Little is known about the new COVID-19 variant, but short-term flight bans and border closures are a concern for airlines.

Short-term blanket travel bans imposed on certain countries are not good news for an aviation industry that is still in recovery mode and had dared to hope that governments would adopt a more data-driven approach in response to emerging variants.

Despite the uncertainties caused by the emergence of omicron, easyJet CEO Johan Lundgren said there remains a unique opportunity for easyJet to win customers and take market share from rivals over the winter.