The International Air Transport Association (IATA) director-general and Chief Executive OfficerAlexandre de Juniac urges Governments to quickly implement global guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO) on restoring air connectivity.

He said that the ICAO Council had endorsed the Air Travel guidelines during the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis (Takeoff) as an encouraging and systematic mechanism for temporary risk-based interventions in the context of COVID-19 crises for air travel operations.

“The universal implementation of global standards has made aviation safe. A similar approach is critical in this crisis so that we can safely restore air connectivity as borders and economies re-open,” he said in a statement.

De Juniac said the Takeoff guidance document was built with strong support by airlines from the best expertise in government and industry.

“Now we are counting on governments to implement the recommendations quickly because the world wants to travel again and needs airlines to play a key role in economic recovery.

“And we must do this with global harmonization and mutual recognition of efforts to earn the confidence of travelers and air transport workers,” he said.

The Takeoff proposes a phased restart approach and identifies a set of generally applicable risk-based actions such as physical distancing, use of masks, contact traceability as well as forms for declaring the health of passengers.

These measures would reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission during the journey, in line with recommendations and guidance from public health authorities.