IATA: Travelers have restored their confidence in aviation

 IATA: Travelers have restored their confidence in aviation

Most passengers believe in the safety of air travel during the pandemic and support wearing masks on flights in the near future.

Global travelers trust the safety of air travel (Image: ST)

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced on July 21 that, while expressing their confidence, most travelers were also disappointed with the "complicated factor" surrounding regulations to prevent and control Covid-19. 19, including confusion and uncertainty about travel rules, test requirements, and exorbitant testing costs.

The survey conducted by IATA in May with 4,700 travelers in 11 markets around the world gave quite positive results. Up to 85% believe planes are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected; 65% agree that the air on an airplane is as clean as an operating room.

Among those who have traveled since June 2020, 86% feel safe getting on a plane thanks to Covid-19 prevention and control measures.

In which, 89% of respondents believe that protective measures are being implemented well, and 90% of travelers believe that airline staff are implementing epidemic prevention measures well.

Up to 83% of passengers strongly support wearing masks on planes and 86% think that mask regulations must be strictly enforced, but the majority also want the requirement to wear masks to be lifted soon. .

Willie Walsh, IATA Director General, said: “Flight passengers recognize and appreciate the safety measures in place to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection during air travel. And they support continuing these measures if necessary, but they also don't want them to become permanent."

However, Mr Walsh added: “In the meantime, we all need to respect the rules and the safety of the passengers. It is unacceptable that passenger disobedience cases have doubled since 2019 and the increase in physical abuse is concerning."

The IATA survey also showed that participants admitted they struggled with the rules and requirements related to the prevention and control of Covid-19 and this affected their willingness to travel. surname. 70% of visitors found the rules and accompanying paperwork confusing, 67% of visitors found it complicated to arrange for Covid-19 testing.

Standardization of medical certification for Covid-19

In particular, up to 89% of visitors agree that governments must standardize vaccination / test certificates for Covid-19.

"These results should be a wake-up call to governments that they need to do better to prepare for a (travel) restart," said the head of IATA.

While nearly two-thirds of respondents plan to resume travel within a few months after the pandemic is contained (and borders are opened). And by the six-month mark, nearly 85% of travelers expect to travel again.

Nearly nine out of ten respondents wish to use a mobile app to store health credentials while traveling, and 87% favor a secure digital system for managing credentials. health facts. But 75% said they would only use an app if they had full control over their Covid-19 testing and vaccination information.

“Therefore, to avoid overcrowding at airports and border control agencies, governments need to agree to replace paper-based processes with digital solutions such as the IATA Travel Pass for travel documents. receive vaccine vaccination and Covid-19 test certificate,” suggested Mr. Walse.