Calls on govt. to lift border restrictions

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) in a resolution yesterday called on governments across the world to reopen borders for travel, a move which would be possible by employing the association’s proposed systematic testing of international travellers. 

The systematic testing of international travellers would permit the lifting of border restrictions and provide an alternative to the current quarantine rules, according to the IATA. 

“We must manage how we live with the virus. 

But that does not have to mean destroying aviation, risking millions of jobs, crippling economies and tearing apart the international social fabric. We could safely open borders today with systematic COVID-19 testing,” said IATA Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac. 

He added that while people want and need global mobility and the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) ‘Take-off’ measures make flying safe. However, border closures, movement restrictions and quarantine measures make travel impossible, Juniac stressed.  

“International air travel continues to be down 90 percent on 2019 levels. The current estimates are that as many as 46 million jobs supported by air travel could be lost and that the economic activity sustained by aviation will be reduced by US $ 1.8 trillion,” the IATA stated.