THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY has been reeling amid COVID-19. As the pandemic took shape, airlines around the globe suffered, and many were brought to a halt. This, in turn, was devastating for businesses that cater to travelers, including the hospitality industry (hotels and restaurants), car rental companies, tourist attractions, taxis and ride-hailing platforms like Uber, and other related lines of business such as tour guides.
For , the pandemic could not have come at a worse time, as it was already experiencing a major crisis due to the saga of the 737 Max, which it flew extensively in many of its routes. The 737 Max had experienced recurring failures with a crucial system, causing two fatal crashes. In response to this serious safety issue, the 737 Max was grounded worldwide from March 2019 to November 2020. However, because of COVID-19, it only resumed