It is estimated that African airlines will lose an amount of US$40 million in revenue this year as the novel coronavirus continues to erupt worldwide, according to the global aviation body, International Air Transport Association (IATA).

According to the IATA, the global hit to the aviation industry is however projected to be US$29 billion this year - a 4.7% industry-wide drop in revenue per passenger kilometer.

IATA’s special envoy to Africa, Raphael Kuuchi, revealed this on March 4 and indicated that the potentially devastating hit could get worse as some struggling airlines around the world have suspended or modified flights amid the outbreak.

The aviation body earlier forecasted in December that African airlines would make a loss of around US$200 million this year, similar to that of 2019.

With the spread of the virus, many of Africa’s key airlines like Ethiopian Arlines have witnessed a decline in passenger demand by 20 percent and have faced criticism online for not cancelling flights to China like neighbors Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kenya halted direct flights from Italy’s northern cities of Verona and Milan, which usually head to the Kenyan coast.

Last month, Kenya Airways and RwandAir suspended all flights to and from China until further notice whereas the World Health Organization has advised countries against banning flights.

The COVID-19 coronavirus which began in mainland China late last year has now spread to more than 60 countries around the world.