March 13, (THEWILL) – In the last few weeks, there has been a dramatic shift by many governments around the world to ease or remove COVID-19-related travel restrictions and requirements as the disease enters its endemic phase. As a follow up, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has opined that such development should continue and even accelerate, to more quickly restore damaged global supply chains and enable people to resume their lives.
IATA, an international aviation body, represents some 290 airlines comprising 83 per cent of global air traffic.
One step to encourage a return to normality, according to IATA, is to remove mask mandates for air travel. It added, “It makes no sense to continue to require masks on airplanes when they are no longer being required in shopping malls, theatres or offices.”
Speaking on the issue, Director-General, IATA, Willie Walsh, said, “The recovery in air travel continued in January, despite hitting a speed bump called Omicron. Strengthened border controls did not stop the spread of the variant. But where population immunity was strong, the public health systems were not overwhelmed.
“ Many governments are now adjusting COVID-19 policies to align with those for other endemic viruses. This includes lifting travel restrictions that have had such a devastating impact on lives, economies and the freedom to travel.”
Emphasising the need to do away with face masks, Walsh added, “Aircraft are equipped with highly sophisticated hospital quality filtration systems and have much higher air flow and air exchange rates than most other indoor environments where mask mandates already have been removed.”
The IATA DG was speaking following the latest analysis of demand for passenger air travel, based on data collected by region and worldwide during January 2022.
On the trend in the global traffic, he said that despite the strong traffic growth recorded in January 2022, compared to a year ago, passenger demand remains far below pre-COVID-19 levels. He informed that total Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKs) in January were down 49.6 per cent, compared to January 2019. International traffic was down 62.4 per cent, with domestic traffic off by 26.5 per cent.
On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Walsh pointed out that January traffic figures do not include any impact from the Russia-Ukraine conflict which began at the end of February. The resulting sanctions and airspace closures are expected to have a negative impact on travel, primarily among neighboring countries.
“The Ukraine market accounted for 3.3 per cent of European passenger traffic and 0.8 per cent of global traffic in 2021”.
“The Russian international market represented 5.7 per cent of European traffic (excluding Russia domestic market) and 1.3 per cent of global traffic in 2021”.
“Airspace closures have led to rerouting or cancellations of flights on some routes”.
“In addition to these disruptions, the sudden spike in fuel prices is putting pressure on airline costs,” he said.
In support of IATA, Secretary General of Association of Nigerian Aviation Professional (ANAP), Comrade Abdulrasaq Saidu commended IATA for such decision, stating that it is the right step in the right direction.
Comrade Saidu pointed out that continuous restriction will further slow recovery of the industry.
He said. “I support what IATA has recommended. It will help in easing air travels as quick as possible. You see people trooping to stadiums to watch soccer competitions without face masks and even without social distancing. They are not restricted. How come you restrict people that only want to fly. I support the Waiver of face masks”.
But Dr. Chichi Menakaya, an award winning UK based Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon has a different view.
According to Dr Menakaya, such step is coming too early considering the fact that the number of COVID-19 victims is still increasing.
Dr Menakaya who is also the CEO of Annomo Health, an international premium medical concierge added “I believe this is a little premature at the moment especially with covid-19 numbers continuing to rise exponentially. In the Uk in the past 24 hours, daily numbers still remain as high as 20,000 new cases a day”.
Meanwhile, aviation stakeholders have opined that face masks on flights will be one of the last measures to be lifted
According to them, wearing face masks on flights will be one of the last COVID measures to be dropped globally and could be enforced for years.
According to a senior aviation source said: “Until there is a harmonised lifting of mask mandates on flights by governments worldwide it is simpler for airlines to keep the rules in place.”
At the moment, most airlines are following guidelines from bodies including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
