IATA leads calls to scrap remaining Covid-19 rules in Europe

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Airports Council International (ACI) have joined together to call for the removal of the remaining Covid-19 restrictions.

All testing requirements, the need to present proof of vaccinations or complete a passenger locator form are included.

mask-wearing should be scrapped for travel within or between states where it is no longer required in other indoor environments.

The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is pervasive throughout all of Europe, and population immunity has dramatically reduced the risk of hospitalisation or death, according to IATA.

States are using the same strategies for public health that they use for infectious diseases.

The requirement to provide health credentials to enter social events has been lifted by many European states.

locator forms for international travel are redundant because contact tracing efforts are being stood down.

It is logical to remove similar restrictions from air transport when European countries open up.

IATA and ACI Europe presented more evidence in support of aligning air transport rules with domestic regulations.

The peak of infections can be delayed by a maximum of four days if a new variant is discovered and travel restrictions are introduced immediately.

By the time that a new variant is identified, and restrictions are put in place, the variant is likely already circulating in communities around the world.

The peak in infections per 100,000 people is only delayed by a maximum of two days if restrictions are delayed by a week.

The social and economic damage caused by air travel outweighs the health benefits.

The independent research and modelling published today shows that governments can lift restrictions with confidence.

Travel restrictions have proven to be a blunt instrument with little to no impact on virus transmission.

The freedom to travel will be restored when all Covid-19 restrictions are removed.

The whole travel and tourism sector has been forced to shed hundreds of thousands of jobs because of the H1N1 flu.

Julia Simpson, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) chief executive, said the body supported the call.

WTTC supports the call from IATA and ACI Europe to end all remaining restrictions on travel within the EU.

The patchwork of restrictions do nothing to prevent the spread of Covid-19 but have caused serious damage to the economy.

Over the past few weeks, we have seen economies reopen.

It is time to allow people to travel freely.