As the airline industry begins to see light at the end of the tunnel with the rollout of vaccination programmes, International Air Transport Association (Iata) director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac has called on governments to partner with the industry to devise plans to safely relink people, business and economies when the pandemic permits.
“A priority for this critical cooperation is the acceleration of the establishment of global standards for vaccination and testing certification,” he said.
While containing the spread of new variants would be challenging in the weeks and months ahead, it was important to prepare the way for a resumption of flights when the epidemiological situation permitted, he added. “Understanding government policy benchmarks and agreeing the global standards needed to support a return to normality in travel will ensure that air transport is well prepared and does not become a meaningful vector for re-importation. Airlines are ready to support governments in this task.”
Global harmonisation will however be key. As an example, the Greek government last week proposed that vaccinated individuals should be immediately exempted from travel restrictions, including quarantine, and Iata has supported moves by governments, including Poland, Latvia, Lebanon and the Seychelles, to implement this exemption. Germany and the US in the meantime are taking advantage of the rapid improvement in testing technologies to accept PCR and antigen testing to safely manage the risks of travel.
“There are plenty of moving parts in the equation. Airlines have adapted their operations in order to maintain cargo operations and some passenger services, while complying with the numerous and uncoordinated restrictions imposed. Building on this experience they can help governments with their preparations for eventually safely re-establishing global connectivity for their people, businesses and economies,” said De Juniac.
