A roadmap for the recovery of aviation has been outlined

Airports Council International (ACI) World and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have called on governments to ensure any new measures introduced for airports and airlines in the wake of COVID-19 are supported by scientific evidence and are consistent across the world.

A balanced and effective restart and recovery for the industry depends on collaboration between the key aviation stakeholders.

ACI and IATA have issued a paper outlining a roadmap for restarting the aviation industry – ‘Safely Restarting Aviation – ACI and IATA Joint Approach’.

The paper proposes a layered approach of measures across the entire passenger journey to minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19 at airports and onboard aircraft. Such measures should be globally consistent and subject to continued review, improvement and removal when no longer required, to ensure an even recovery.

“Airports and airlines have come together with ICAO and the wider aviation industry to address the biggest challenge ever faced by commercial aviation in restarting a global industry while continuing to halt the spread of COVID-19,” ACI World Director General, Angela Gittens, said. “There is currently no single measure that could mitigate all the risks of restarting air travel but we believe a globally-consistent, outcome-based approach represents the most effective way of balancing risk mitigation with the need to unlock economies and to enable travel.”

IATA’s Director General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, said: “Safety is always our top priority and that includes public health. Restoring air connectivity is vital to restarting the global economy and reconnecting people. Our layered approach of measures recommended by airports and airlines safeguard public health while offering a practical approach for a gradual restart of operations. We are working continuously with governments to ensure that any measures put in place are done so consistently and with scientific backing. That is key to restoring public confidence so the benefits of safely re-starting aviation can be realised.”