COVID-19's Impact on Airport Traffic Dashboard

COVID-19's Impact on Airport Traffic: A Data Visualization Project

1. Problem Statement / Objective

The objective of this project was to understand the extent and patterns of disruption to airport traffic caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the analysis sought to answer:

• How did the percentage of baseline airport traffic change over time during the pandemic?
• Which airports and countries experienced the most significant drops and recoveries in traffic?
• What was the overall flight performance relative to pre-pandemic baselines?

2. Data Source(s)

• Source: covid_impact_on_airport_traffic.csv dataset.
• Size/Scope: The dataset contains daily records of airport traffic, including `Date`, `AirportName`, `PercentOfBaseline`, `Centroid`, `City`, `State`, `ISO_3166_2`, `Country`, and `Geography` data for various airports globally during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Pre-processing: The dataset was ready for use in Tableau. No significant pre-processing steps were required beyond ensuring data types were correctly interpreted by Tableau.

3. Methodology & Tools

• Tools Used: Tableau Desktop, Tableau Public.
• Key Tableau Features Utilized:
  • Data Connections: Connected directly to the CSV file.
  • Calculated Fields: Used to derive metrics like "Percent of baseline by months" and "Flight performance" (Above/Below Average).
  • Filters: Implemented filters for Date, Airport Name, and Country to allow dynamic exploration.
  • Dashboard Design: Created a single, comprehensive dashboard with multiple interconnected visualizations for a holistic view.
  • Visualizations:
    • Line Charts: To show "lowest percent of baseline," "average percent of baseline," "highest percent of baseline," and "% of baseline trend" over time.
    • Bar Charts: Used for "% of baseline by months" and to display "Airports" and "Countries" by their average "PercentOfBaseline."
    • Donut Chart: For "Flight performance" showing "Met Baseline" (Above Average) or "Below Average."
    • Geographic Map: To visualize the "Location" of airports and their traffic impact.

4. Key Findings & Insights

• Significant Drop in April 2020: The data clearly shows a drastic reduction in airport traffic around April 2020, with the lowest percentage of baseline dropping to 0%. This highlights the immediate and severe impact of initial lockdown measures.
• Gradual Recovery with Fluctuations: Following the initial drop, there was a gradual recovery in traffic, though it remained below 100% for most of the observed period, indicating ongoing challenges. The trend line shows an upward trajectory towards the end of the year.
• Varied Impact Across Months: Monthly analysis reveals that April and May had the lowest percentages of baseline traffic (9% and 14% respectively), while December showed a significant recovery (77%).
• Majority Below Average Baseline: The "Flight performance" donut chart indicates that 65% of the observed flight performance was "Below Average," underscoring the widespread negative impact on air travel.
• Regional Differences: While the data only provides data info about 4 countries, it allows for visual identification of how these countries were more or less affected, with some countries showing higher recovery rates than others. For example, Canada showed 0% of baseline in some instances, while Australia and the United States showed varying recovery percentages.

5. Visualizations & Dashboards

The dashboard is designed to be interactive and provides a clear narrative of the pandemic's impact:

• Overall Baseline Performance: Three key performance indicators (KPIs) at the top display the "lowest percent of baseline," "average percent of baseline," and "highest percent of baseline" observed, providing a quick summary.
• Monthly and Trend Analysis: Bar charts show the "percent of baseline by months," allowing for easy comparison of traffic levels month-over-month. A line chart tracks the "% of baseline trend," illustrating the recovery path.
• Flight Performance Breakdown: A donut chart categorizes flight performance as "Met Baseline" (Above Average) or "Below Average," offering a quick visual of overall traffic health.
• Geographic Distribution: A map visualizes airport locations, and bar charts list top airports and countries by their "PercentOfBaseline," enabling geographical insights into the impact.

6. Impact & Results

This dashboard provides a powerful tool for understanding and communicating the severe and ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the aviation industry. It allows stakeholders to:

• Quickly grasp the magnitude of the traffic reduction.
• Monitor the recovery trajectory over time.
• Identify specific airports or countries that were most affected or showed resilience.
• Inform strategic decisions related to resource allocation, policy adjustments, and future planning in the aviation sector.