IATA – International Air Transport Association

Aviation sector welcomes updated EASA-ECDC Aviation Health Safety Protocol calling for harmonised and risk-based COVID-19 travel measures – Member States must now implement Report acknowledges positive epidemiological developments across Europe and low risk of virus spread during air travel. Risk-based approach will make travel easier for passengers by avoiding duplication of checks throughout the journey, including for transfer passengers. For first time ever, protocol supports the use of Rapid Antigen Tests and recognises potential capacity constraints at airport terminals due to continued physical distancing requirements.    Brussels and London – Leading  aviation associations[1] welcomed the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and European Centre […] More

As the leaders of the G7 gather in the UK this month, the rest of us watch for signs that politicians have a hopeful vision for the post-pandemic world. In a grandiose statement, US President Biden and UK Prime Minister Johnson have evoked the nostalgia of the Second World War with a new “Atlantic Charter”. The first Atlantic Charter was forged in 1941 amid the darkest days of the war, at a time when the outcome was still very much in doubt. It was a truly visionary statement which was a foundation of the key institutions of the post-war world […] More

Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that domestic travel demand improved in April 2021 compared to the prior month, although it remained well below pre-pandemic levels, while recovery in international passenger travel continued to be stalled in the face of government-imposed travel restrictions. Because comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted all comparisons are to April 2019, which followed a normal demand pattern. Total demand for air travel in April 2021 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was down 65.4% compared to April 2019. That […] More

Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released April 2021 data for global air cargo markets showing that air cargo demand continued to outperform pre-COVID levels (April 2019) with demand up 12%. As comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted, all comparisons to follow are to April 2019 which followed a normal demand pattern.   Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), was up 12% compared to April 2019 and 7.8% compared to March 2021. Seasonally adjusted demand is now 5% higher than the pre-crisis August 2018 peak. […] More

Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to maintain the critical separation between politics and aviation safety issues. The call followed the latest development in events following the incident when Ryanair FR4978 was intercepted over Belarus Airspace and forced to land in Minsk. On 2 June EASA replaced its recommendation (Safety Information Bulletin) for European airlines to carefully assess the risk of flying in Belarus airspace with a blanket prohibition (Safety Directive) on European aircraft entering Belarus airspace. “Aviation safety must never be politicized. IATA condemned the actions of the Belarus […] More

Supporting the Safe Reopening of European Borders Four leading industry associations are mobilizing employees and individual travellers to urge policy-makers to coordinate and lift travel restrictions across Europe. Brussels – As EU countries review the updated European Commission proposal to coordinate the easing of travel restrictions across Europe, Airlines For Europe (A4E), Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) have together launched Destination Summer, with the goal of working with European Union and national policymakers to adopt a harmonised approach for the lifting of travel restrictions – enabling […] More