Air traffic has been obliterated in recent months, as countries placed restrictions on movement amid the coronavirus pandemic.
But the skies are slowly coming back to life, as shown by new data from flight tracker Flightradar24.
The level of traffic is still substantially below that of this time last year – 48 per cent lower than on June 1, 2019, according to Flightradar24 (see tweet below). However, the number of flights is gradually growing as lockdowns are eased around the world.
The most significant differences in volume of flights can be seen over the Atlantic Ocean, between the US and Europe, plus the east coast of South America.
Traffic has also clearly dwindled over India and the Middle East – including the UAE, where all flights were grounded on March 1 and are slowly being reintroduced.
February to June: a different world
Further statistics from FlightRadar has shown how far the level of air traffic dropped off – and how it is gradually returning.
On February 28, 109,732 commercial flights were tracked across the globe – the highest level during the period February 3 to June 1. This included passenger, cargo, charter and some business jet flights.
By April 12, the number of commercial flights had plummeted to only 23,962. Towards the end of April, this number was beginning to rise, and was at more than 34,000 by May 8, 38,000 by May 20 and above 40,000 on May 29.
What's the flight situation in the UAE?
Emirates started resuming regular passenger flights to eight countries on Thursday, May 21, just before the Eid Al Fitr holiday. They were the first regular, non-repatriation flights out of Dubai since March 24.
The airline is currently flying from Dubai to London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago and Toronto, with a schedule in place until Tuesday, June 30. There are also flights to Sydney and Melbourne.
The airline has opened bookings for flights to 12 Arab countries, with the routes from Dubai resuming from July.
Etihad Airways is operating inbound flights from 16 destinations to Abu Dhabi, with services operating until Monday, June 15. The national airline for the UAE is also operating additional special passenger flights from Abu Dhabi to 17 destinations.
Passengers are currently required to apply for approval to return to the UAE.
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Antonov AN-225: 'beast of the skies' delivering vital medical supplies
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An Antonov AN225 aircraft carrying medical supplies arrives in Toronto, on Saturday, May 30, 2020. The Canadian Press via AP -
An Antonov An-225 aircraft carrying medical supplies arrives in Toronto on Saturday, May 30, 2020. The Canadian Press via AP -
Workers unload a shipment of medical supplies from an Antonov AN-225 Mriya aircraft at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Bloomberg -
Workers unload a shipment of medical supplies. Bloomberg -
A worker unloads a shipment of medical supplies. Bloomberg -
People watch as the Antonov AN-225 Mriya aircraft lands. Bloomberg -
Nothing matches the AN-225 when it comes to handling outsize and exceptionally heavy payloads. Bloomberg -
"In moving large supplies of emergency equipment, military needs and other machinery, the AN-225 is unbeatable." Bloomberg -
Workers unload a shipment of medical supplies from an Antonov AN-225 Mriya aircraft at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Bloomberg -
The beast of the skies lands in Canada. In the past week it has flown from Montreal in eastern Canada to Anchorage in the US state of Alaska before taking off for an 11-hour flight to Tianjin, China. Bloomberg -
While the aircraft is playing an important role during the pandemic, it is unlikely more will be made given its infrequent use at other times. Bloomberg -
People watch as the Antonov AN-225 Mriya aircraft lands in Toronto. Bloomberg -
Three engines are seen on the wing of the Antonov AN-225 Mriya aircraft. Bloomberg -
The Mriya (which means "dream" in Ukrainian) entered commercial service in 2001 and was originally developed to transport the Energiya carrier-rocket and Buran space shuttle. Bloomberg -
It is scheduled to continue flying until at least 2033. Bloomberg -
It's statistics include a maximum payload of 250,000kg, a wingspan of 88m and total length of 84m. That means you can even slot a helicopter or haulage lorry inside. -
The next biggest commercial airliner is the Boeing 747-8F, which handles up to 150 tonnes. Bloomberg
