The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines has called for a coordinated approach to airline health and safety measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
It should be ‘consistent, pragmatic and risk-managed,’ AAPA said.
"AAPA recognises that public health measures such as widespread testing, contact tracing and social distancing are now progressively being implemented. Similar measures are also being discussed as conditions to the resumption of air travel, but such measures need to be consistent, coherent and coordinated," the trade group said.
To ensure full confidence in air travel, ‘any measures should be practical and based on accepted medical standards, as part of a robust risk management framework.’
AAPA director general Subhas Menon says health declarations should be automated and available on mobile devices for convenience but leaving the middle seat empty will lead to costlier air travel ‘without any meaningful public benefit in terms of risk reduction.’
"The industry must introduce and adapt processes to minimise risk while at the same time restoring confidence and trust in air travel."
Earlier this month AAPA reported a decline of 72% in international air passenger traffic on Asia Pacific airlines.
