THE Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (PA) has joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in calling for an opening up of air travel by governments still fearful of the spread of the coronavirus, reports Singapore's Asian Aviation.
While the COVID-19 pandemic will take time to abate, 'governments will need airlines to underpin a wider economic recovery, connect manufacturing hubs and support tourism', said PA director general Subhas Menon.
Like IATA, the PA says any relaxation of border controls needs 'careful consideration, and in the case of international flights will necessarily involve governments working together to develop common standards and re-establish mutual trust'.
This 'will spur global recovery from the current crisis. Governments will need airlines to underpin a wider economic recovery, connect manufacturing hubs and support tourism', he said.
'Work must begin on a multilateral basis to develop the necessary protocols to safeguard public health while restoring international connectivity including air services,' Mr Menon said.
'The key to success is close collaboration with the many stakeholders which make up the global air transportation system, including aeronautical authorities, airlines, airports, and other service providers as in-depth knowledge and close integration with established business systems are essential,' he said.
'New national health security protocols may be sufficient to restart domestic travel, but a separate framework will be needed for international air travel. Cross-border flights can only resume in earnest when governments are ready to lift blanket travel bans and relax other restrictions on international travel,' he said.
SeaNews Turkey
While the COVID-19 pandemic will take time to abate, 'governments will need airlines to underpin a wider economic recovery, connect manufacturing hubs and support tourism', said PA director general Subhas Menon.
Like IATA, the PA says any relaxation of border controls needs 'careful consideration, and in the case of international flights will necessarily involve governments working together to develop common standards and re-establish mutual trust'.
This 'will spur global recovery from the current crisis. Governments will need airlines to underpin a wider economic recovery, connect manufacturing hubs and support tourism', he said.
'Work must begin on a multilateral basis to develop the necessary protocols to safeguard public health while restoring international connectivity including air services,' Mr Menon said.
'The key to success is close collaboration with the many stakeholders which make up the global air transportation system, including aeronautical authorities, airlines, airports, and other service providers as in-depth knowledge and close integration with established business systems are essential,' he said.
'New national health security protocols may be sufficient to restart domestic travel, but a separate framework will be needed for international air travel. Cross-border flights can only resume in earnest when governments are ready to lift blanket travel bans and relax other restrictions on international travel,' he said.
SeaNews Turkey