Last week, the NBAA News Hour highlighted the industry’s ongoing return from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The webcast was insightful and is worth watching, especially if you’re involved in operating a flight department.

Although much of the conversation centered around the experiences of schedulers and dispatchers, many of the takeaways from the discussion apply to other segments of the aviation industry, including ground support.

The damage inflicted on the industry during the pandemic has been covered extensively. But have there been positive effects as well?

For example, consider how people in leadership roles communicate with others in their organizations. Virtual meetings through Zoom and Teams were foreign to many just a year ago, but now it’s commonplace. Being apart from one another has put an emphasis on the importance of clear communication, and in some cases has likely put a spotlight on communication gaps within groups.

Another example noted during the NBAA News Hour was the enhanced cleaning and disinfection processes developed during the pandemic. Similarly, catering processes were carefully evaluated to ensure food service was conducted as safely as possible. Are the trends established during the pandemic here for the long haul? It’s likely they are.

The downturn in air traffic has also provided an opportunity for some to address training needs and update organizational policies.

There are numerous challenges ahead in both the commercial and business aviation sectors as more people – passengers and the aviation workforce – return to airports around the world. But in many ways, the industry has likely improved as a result of the pandemic and may now be more equipped to deal with what lies ahead.

Do you have a specific example of how your team has progressed during the pandemic? I’d like to hear your thoughts on how the industry has been fortified in spite of difficulty, as well as areas that still need improvement. Email me at [email protected].