International travelers say: ‘We must learn to fly with COVID-19’

80% in an IATA poll is encouraged by the prospect of implementing the IATA Travel Pass and would use it as soon as possible. 78% will use a travel credentials application only if they have full control over their data.

The  International Air Transport Association  (IATA) has released the results of its latest  survey of  people who have recently traveled, revealing growing confidence in returning to aviation, stress with current travel restrictions and acceptance of a travel healthcare application.

Travel restrictions

• 88% believe that when borders open, the right balance must be struck between COVID-19 risk management and economic recovery
• 85% believe governments should set targets, such as test capability or vaccine distribution, to reopen borders
• 84% believe that COVID-19 will not disappear and we must manage the risks while living and traveling normally
• 68% agreed that their quality of life was affected by travel restrictions
• 49% believe that air travel restrictions are commonly overdone.

While there is public support for travel restrictions, it is becoming clear that people are becoming increasingly comfortable with managing the risks of COVID-19.

People also feel frustrated with the loss of freedom to travel, with 68% of respondents saying their quality of life has been affected. Travel restrictions have an impact on health, society and the economy. Nearly 40% of respondents reported mental stress and loss of important human moments as a result of travel restrictions. More than 1/3 have said that their restrictions prevent them from running their businesses properly.

“Everyone’s top priority right now is to stay safe in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. But it is important to map out a way to be able to reopen borders, manage risks and enable people to get on with their lives. This includes freedom of travel. It becomes clear that we must learn to live and travel in a world with COVID-19. Given the health, social and economic costs of travel restrictions, airlines must be prepared to reconnect the world as soon as governments are able to reopen borders. That is why a plan with measurable milestones is crucial. Without that, how can we be prepared for a restart without further delay? ” says  Alexandre de Juniac , CEO and CEO of IATA.

Future travel trends

• 57% expect to travel within two months of pandemic reduction (rate improvement, from 49% in September 2020)
• 72% want to travel to see family and friends as soon as possible (percentage improvement, from 63% in September 2020)
• 81% believe they will be more likely to travel once vaccinated
• 84% said they would not travel if there is a possibility of quarantine at the destination (largely unchanged, from 83% in September 2020)
• 56% believe they will postpone travel until the economy stabilizes (percentage improvement, from 65% in September 2020)

“People want to go back to travel, but quarantine is what spoils the equation. As test capacity and technology improve and the vaccinated population increases, the conditions are created for the removal of quarantine measures. “And this shows us again the need to work with governments, for a well-planned opening as soon as conditions allow ,” de Juniac said.

IATA Travel Pass

• 89% of respondents believe that governments should standardize vaccine certificates and tests
• 80% are encouraged by the prospect of implementing the IATA Travel Pass and would use it as soon as possible
•  78% will use a travel credentials application only if they have full control over their data

“We design the IATA Travel Pass with the traveler in mind. Passengers keep all the data on their mobile devices and remain in complete control of where this data goes. There is no central database. While we are making good progress with many tests, we are still awaiting global standards for digital testing and vaccine certifications. “Only with global standards and governments accepting them can we maximize efficiency and offer the best travel experience,” de Juniac concluded.

Source: traveldailynews.gr

Tatiana Roku – 10 March 2021, 15:17