THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) is calling on governments to accept best-in-class rapid antigen tests according to Covid–19 testing requirements following the publication of new research by OXERA and Edge Health.
The report, commissioned by IATA, found that antigen tests are accurate with broadly comparable results to PCR tests in identifying infected travellers; convenient with processing times 100 times faster than for PCR testing; and cost-efficient as on average 60% cheaper than PCR tests.
The association states that it is important for governments to consider the findings in the OXERA-Edge Health report as they make plans for a re-start.
According to IATA, travellers need options where testing is concerned. Currently testing requirements are fragmented, which is confusing to travellers. Moreover, many governments do not allow rapid testing. If the only options available for travellers are PCR tests these come with significant costs disadvantages and inconvenience. And in some parts of the world PCR testing capacity is limited, with first priority correctly given to clinical use.
The report also pointed to the scarcity of PCR tests. Current spare PCR testing capacity in the UK, for example, would cover only 25% of 2019 passenger levels. This could cause bottlenecks as and when passenger numbers rebound. Adding antigen testing as an acceptable option would help to alleviate this.
“When international travel reopens testing is likely to remain part of the strategy for controlling Covid. The type of testing regime chosen will make the difference in how quickly the travel industry recovers,” said Michele Granatstein, partner at Oxera and head of its Aviation Practice.
“The choice of a rapid test would be a real boost to the global travel and international business community, and our research shows it can be as effective as other testing regimes and as effective as a 10-day quarantine.”
Read the full OXERA-Edge Health report (pdf).
Willie Walsh takes helm at IATA
In a related development, IATA announced the appointment of Willie Walsh as its new director general, succeeding Alexandre de Juniac from April 1. He is based at the association’s executive office in Geneva, Switzerland.
Walsh was confirmed as IATA’s 8th Director General by the 76th IATA Annual General Meeting on November 24, 2020. He joins IATA after a 40-year career in the airline industry.
The new DG retired from the International Airlines Group (IAG) in September 2020 after serving as its CEO since its inception in 2011. Prior to that he was CEO of British Airways (2005-2011) and CEO of Aer Lingus (2001-2005). He began his career in aviation at Aer Lingus in 1979 as a cadet pilot.
Walsh is no stranger to the association. He served on the IATA Board of Governors for almost 13 years between 2005 to 2018, including serving as chair (2016-2017).
Commenting on his new role Walsh said he is “passionate” about the aviation industry and about the work IATA is doing for its members especially during the current pandemic in helping to restart global connectivity, including developing the IATA Travel Pass.
“My goal is to ensure that IATA is a forceful voice supporting the success of global air transport. We will work with supporters and critics alike to deliver on our commitments to an environmentally sustainable airline industry. It’s my job to make sure that governments, which rely on the economic and social benefits our industry generates, also understand the policies we need to deliver those benefits.”
• Featured image credit: Lisa Nentwich/Getty Images
