A week ago, theInternational Air Transport Association (IATA) published the results of a survey. Survey of 4,700 persons in 11 country at
September, demonstrating the general weariness froms passengers in the face of the restrictions still in force in air transport. But there is one important point concerning vaccination. Yes, of course, 80% of those questioned believe that vaccinated travellers should have free access to aircraft with the increase in vaccination rates worldwide. However, at the same time, there is strong opposition to vaccination as a condition of travel. According to the IATA survey, around two-thirds of those polled consider it immoral to restrict air travel to people who have been vaccinated. Over 80 % of respondents felt that pre-travel screening should be an alternative for people who do not have access to the vaccine.
This did not seem to faze the Australian Qantasnor Air New Zealand. At the beginning of September, the CEO of the Australian airline, Alan Joyce, announced that the carrier was going to request that all its passengers be vaccinated against the coronavirus when the first international flights resume in December. Alan Joyce mentioned this measure a year ago.
Is Asia a breeding ground for compulsory vaccinations for air travel?
" Qantas will have a policy of carrying vaccinated passengers internationally because we believe that it's one of the strongest points in demonstrating that our flights are safe" said the CEO at a meeting with business circles in Australia and New Zealand. He added that he hoped to have this policy in place by Christmas.
Barely a month later, it was the turn ofAir New Zealand to step into the breach. For Greg Foran, Managing Director of Air New Zealand, " vaccination against COVID-19 is the new reality of international travel. Customers and employees have told us that this is important to them. This was clearly expressed during our recent employee consultation process and we want to do everything we can to protect them. Mandatory vaccination on our international flights will allow customers and employees to peace of mind, knowing that everyone on board meets the same health requirements as they do" . And to note, with a touch of cynicism, that many countries only accept vaccinated travellers.
Air New Zealand specifies that this new provision will come into force in next February. The only exception to the rule is customers who have medical incompatibilities with a vaccine.
In Asia, the low-cost carrier AirAsia is the first to impose the same measure on its network departing from Malaysia. The carrier made the announcement on 6 October. Singapore Airlines is playing a more subtle game. with a distinction between VTL (Vaccinated Traveller Corridor) and non-VTL flights from and to countries authorised by the Singapore Government.
An open door to random discrimination
But "the worm is in the fruit" and it is certain that other companies - particularly in Asia - will follow suit.
There is in fact a question of ethics. As the CEO of Air New Zealand pointed out, some countries only allow duly vaccinated passengers onto their territory. These countries include Canada, the United States, Oman and Thailand. But this is legislation put in place by the national authorities, not by a private entity.
By opening this Pandora's box, the airlines are raising the question of who actually owns the airline. the right to make laws. It would be easy to imagine airports, hotel chains or shops going even further and deciding to apply the same criteria. They would only add to the lack of harmony in the current rules. And trivialise a form of discrimination that keeps its name to itself.
