Airports Council International (ACI) World and International Air Transport Association (IATA) officials are seeking global consistency regarding measures introduced for airports and airlines in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ACI and IATA are both central members of the COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) spearheaded by the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
“Airports and airlines have come together with ICAO and the wider aviation industry to address the biggest challenge ever faced by commercial aviation in restarting a global industry while continuing to halt the spread of COVID-19,” ACI World Director General Angela Gittens said. “There is currently no single measure that could mitigate all the risks of restarting air travel, but we believe a globally-consistent, outcome-based approach represents the most effective way of balancing risk mitigation with the need to unlock economies and to enable travel.”
The ACI and IATA have issued a paper they said would serve as a roadmap for resuming operations, reassuring the public health and safety remain overall priorities.
“Safety is always our top priority, and that includes public health. Restoring air connectivity is vital to restarting the global economy and reconnecting people,” IATA’s Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said. “Our layered approach of measures recommended by airports and airlines safeguard public health while offering a practical approach for a gradual restart of operations. It is important to remember that the risk of transmission on board is very low.”
de Juniac said the aviation industry is working continuously with governments to ensure any measures put in place are done so consistently and with scientific backing, noting such action is key to restoring public confidence so the benefits of safely restarting aviation can be realized.