IATA, ACI-Europe (Airports Council International) and A4E (Airlines for Europe) are calling on the European Union to restore freedom of travel within the continent. Mandatory quarantines in particular are being targeted. As the world enters the final quarter of 2020, the outlook for air transport remains just as poor. According to figures from IATA, air traffic in Europe fell by 66.3 % since the start of the year. And the trend remains poor. ACI Europe reports that on 27 September, passenger traffic in the EU was 78 % lower than in 2019.
The Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) has revealed that the impact of covid restrictions could lead to a 52 % drop in employment supported by aviation in Europe, or around 7 million jobs. Nearly €450 billion in economic benefits would be lost in the process.
A defined and harmonised health framework in Europe
On 17 September, the three aviation organisations had already presented a framework for setting up a Europe-wide test protocol to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Yesterday, 1 October, the three organisations reiterated their request, presenting a proposal to harmonise pre-departure health protocols by generalising passenger tests. A procedure that would put an end to compulsory quarantines, which often vary from country to country. The current situation of disparate quarantines is described as "impossible".
"Let's be clear about our common approach. We do not dictate specific health protocols to EU health ministers. We are not health experts, even if we do have the know-how to apply hygiene measures. On the other hand, we want certainty and predictability for travellers to reassure them" explains ACI spokesperson Virginia Lee.
According to a survey, 65 % of travellers surveyed agree that quarantine should not be required for passengers testing negative for covid-19.
An emergency: simple protocols
The proposed framework is based on two principles:
- Tests to replace quarantines before departureon the basis of an EU travel health protocol. It would apply consistently to passengers in high-risk areas of the EU/Schengen area and third countries.
- A common risk assessment for each destination should define travel restrictions. This assessment is the basis for destination qualification criteria and the common colour coding system proposed by the European Commission. We are still waiting for this coding system to be approved by all EU member states before it can be applied.
If pre-departure tests become the norm for travellers, many details will still need to be defined. Should only PCR tests (with swabs) be considered, or also other forms such as the antigen tests? These are simpler and quicker to implement. They would give travellers a degree of flexibility. And be available at the airport.
Another difficulty is that some countries require a PCR test to be carried out less than 48 hours before departure, while others require a test to be carried out less than 72 hours before departure. Here again, harmonisation seems necessary, based on realistic criteria. Especially as in France, it is virtually impossible to obtain a PCR test result in less than 48 hours...
