In a bid to increase confidence among flyers, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for the deployment of rapid COVID-19 testing for all passengers at airports.
They have stated that airports should be equipped with accurate, affordable, easy-to-operate, scalable and systematic testing facilities. This would come as a welcome and preferable alternative to quarantine measures. Testing would also allow airlines to re-establish global air connectivity, according to IATA.
Such measures would require collaborations and support of governments and airport authorities in different countries. IATA said this could be worked out via the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and with health authorities to implement the solution. This should be done as soon as possible as according to global reports, air travel is down by almost 92 percent in comparison to data from 2019.
Countries have gradually opened up borders for international travel, but it's the quarantine measures wihch make the journey almost impossible for many. Even the frequently changing COVID-19 rules make planning a trip quite difficult.
In the light of such a scenario, rampant and mandatory testing on arrival becomes the best way out, says IATA. For over seven months, international aviation has seen a pause, the economy from this sector has dipped to record low levels and concerns have been raised over the matter.
