The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is calling for the development and deployment of systematic Covid-19 testing for all international flight passengers before departure as an alternative to quarantine.
IATA will work through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and with health authorities to implement this solution quickly.
Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO, said testing would be the key to restoring the freedom of mobility across borders.
“This will give governments the confidence to open their borders without complicated risk models that see constant changes in the rules imposed on travel. Testing all passengers will give people back their freedom to travel with confidence. And that will put millions of people back to work.”
Quarantine measures are killing the industry’s recovery, de Juniac added. “Some 83% of travellers in a recent 11-market survey said that they will not travel if there is a chance of being quarantined at their destination. That is a very clear signal that this industry will not recover until we can find an alternative to quarantine.”
IATA’s data shows international travel is 92% down on 2019 levels as the cautious re-opening of borders by some government beginning in June has seen limited uptake – just 8% of its year-ago levels in July. This is due either to quarantine measures making travel impractical or the frequent changes in Covid measures rendering planning impossible.
The economic cost of the breakdown in global connectivity also makes investing in a border-opening testing solution a priority for governments. IATA points out an estimated 65.5 million jobs would be at risk if the aviation industry collapses before the pandemic ends. The amount of government support needed to avert such a collapse is rising. “Already lost revenues are expected to exceed $400 billion and the industry was set to post a record net loss of over $80 billion in 2020 under a more optimistic rebound scenario than has actually unfolded.”
de Juniac reiterated flying is the safest form of transport because the airline companies work together as an industry with governments to implement global standards.
“With the economic cost associated with border closures rising daily and a second-wave of infections taking hold, the aviation industry must call on this expertise to unite with governments and medical testing providers to find a rapid, accurate, affordable, easy-to-operate and scalable testing solution that will enable the world to safely re-connect and recover.”
According to IATA’s public opinion research there is “strong support” for Covid testing. 84% of respondents agreed that testing should be required of all travellers, while 88% said they are willing to undergo testing as part of the travel process. Testing is one of the top three signals they will look to for reassurance that travel is safe (along with the availability of a vaccine or a treatment for Covid).
Practicalities of systemic testing
IATA’s call is to develop a test that meets the criteria of speed, accuracy, affordability and ease of use and that could be administered systematically under the authority of governments following agreed international standards. It is pursuing this position through ICAO, which is leading efforts to develop and implement global standards for the safe operation of international air services amid the pandemic.
The evolution of Covid-19 testing is progressing rapidly on all parameters – speed, accuracy, affordability, ease of use and scalability. Deployable solutions are expected in the coming weeks. “By calling for the establishment of a global approach to Covid-19 testing for all passengers before departure we are sending a clear signal of aviation’s needs. In the meantime, we are gaining practical knowledge from the testing programmes that already exist as part of the various travel bubble or travel corridor initiatives around the world.” said de Juniac.
Covid-19 testing before departure is the preferred option as it will create a “clean” environment throughout the travel process. Testing on arrival dents passenger confidence with the potential for quarantine at destination in the event of a positive result.
There will be many practical challenges to integrating testing into the travel process establishing the protocols to safely manage large-scale testing across all industry stakeholders. “The ICAO process is critical to aligning governments to a single global standard that can be efficiently implemented and globally recognised. Airlines, airports, equipment manufacturers and governments will then need to work in total alignment so that we can get this done quickly. Each day that the industry is grounded risks more job losses and economic hardship,” de Juniac commented
IATA does not see COVID-19 testing becoming a permanent fixture in the air travel experience, but it will likely be needed into the medium-term for air travel to re-establish itself. “Many see the development of a vaccine as the panacea for the pandemic. It will certainly be an important step, but even after an effective vaccine is globally recognised, ramping up production and distribution is likely to take many months. Testing will be a much-needed interim solution,” said de Juniac.
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