Journals / Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Meslek Yüksekokulu Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 29 Sayı: 2026

Financial Rating Analysis of Airlines: Before and After Covid-19

Havayolu İşletmelerinin Finansal Derecelendirme Analizi: Covid-19 Öncesi ve Sonrası

Abdulkadir Alıcı(KASTAMONU ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-4796-6385
Pages
329–351
Publication Date
2026-10-19
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In conclusion, this study sheds light on the financial pressures caused by the Covid-19 crisis on the airline industry by evaluating the effects of financial indicators on airline performance.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study aims to compare the financial rating profiles of 12 global airline companies before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and to examine the effects of crisis conditions on the financial fragility and resilience levels of these companies.
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Key Findings & Data:The analysis covers the data between 2009 and 2023 and examines in detail the changes in the financial structures of airline companies, especially during the pandemic.
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Conclusion & Impact:In conclusion, this study sheds light on the financial pressures caused by the Covid-19 crisis on the airline industry by evaluating the effects of financial indicators on airline performance.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:2009 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Finansal Performans · Havacılık Yönetimi · Havacılık Finansmanı

Abstract

This study aims to compare the financial rating profiles of 12 global airline companies before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and to examine the effects of crisis conditions on the financial fragility and resilience levels of these companies. The study utilises the TAA Financial Rating Method developed based on financial indicators such as average fleet age, EBITDA margin, interest coverage ratio, liquidity and leverage. The analysis covers the data between 2009 and 2023 and examines in detail the changes in the financial structures of airline companies, especially during the pandemic. The results of the analysis show that the pandemic has had particularly negative effects on financial leverage and liquidity, which threatens the long-term financial stability of companies. For example, major European airlines such as Lufthansa and Air France have strengthened their liquidity management by utilising government support during the pandemic. However, companies with high leverage ratios have experienced increased financial vulnerability due to rising borrowing costs and limited cash flow. The research shows that companies such as Singapore Airlines and ANA, which had relatively strong financial structures before the pandemic, accelerated the recovery process through liquidity and capital increase during the crisis, but the recovery process of many other airlines progressed slowly. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the financial pressures caused by the Covid-19 crisis on the airline industry by evaluating the effects of financial indicators on airline performance. The findings of the study emphasise the importance of liquidity management and balanced leverage levels for financial resilience against similar economic crises in the future, and reveal that financial rating is an important tool in assessing the financial health of businesses and predicting potential risks.

Özet

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Covid-19 pandemisi öncesi ve sonrasında 12 küresel havayolu işletmesinin finansal derecelendirme profillerini karşılaştırarak, kriz koşullarının işletmelerin finansal kırılganlık ve dayanıklılık düzeyleri üzerindeki etkilerini ortaya koymaktır. Araştırmada, ortalama filo yaşı, FAVÖK marjı, faiz karşılama oranı, likidite ve kaldıraç gibi finansal göstergelere dayalı olarak geliştirilen TAA Finansal Derecelendirme Yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Analiz, 2009-2023 yılları arasındaki verileri kapsayarak, özellikle pandemi sürecinde havayolu işletmelerinin finansal yapılarında meydana gelen değişimleri detaylı olarak incelemektedir. Analiz sonuçları, pandeminin özellikle finansal kaldıraç ve likidite üzerinde olumsuz etkiler yarattığını, bunun da şirketlerin uzun vadeli mali istikrarını tehdit ettiğini göstermektedir. Örneğin, Lufthansa ve Air France gibi büyük Avrupa havayolları, pandemi sürecinde devlet desteklerinden faydalanarak likidite yönetimini güçlendirmiştir. Bununla birlikte, yüksek kaldıraç oranlarına sahip olan şirketlerde, artan borçlanma maliyetleri ve sınırlı nakit akışı nedeniyle finansal kırılganlık artmıştır. Araştırma, pandemi öncesinde nispeten güçlü finansal yapıya sahip olan Singapore Airlines ve ANA gibi şirketlerin kriz sırasında likidite ve sermaye artırımı yoluyla toparlanma sürecini hızlandırdığını, ancak diğer birçok havayolu şirketinin toparlanma sürecinin yavaş ilerlediğini göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak, bu çalışma, finansal göstergelerin havayolu işletmelerinin performansı üzerindeki etkilerini değerlendirerek, Covid-19 krizinin sektör üzerinde oluşturduğu finansal baskılara ışık tutmaktadır. Çalışma bulguları, gelecekte benzer ekonomik krizlere karşı finansal dayanıklılık için likidite yönetimi ve dengeli kaldıraç seviyelerinin önemini vurgulamakta; finansal derecelendirmenin, işletmelerin mali sağlığını değerlendirmede ve olası riskleri öngörmede önemli bir araç olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Alıcı, A. (2026). Financial Rating Analysis of Airlines: Before and After Covid-19. Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Meslek Yüksekokulu Dergisi, Cilt: 29 Sayı: 2026, 329–351. https://doi.org/10.29249/selcuksbmyd.1832232

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