Airlines for Europe (A4E), Europe’s largest airline association, is urging EU leaders to adopt a common approach to travel restrictions. The goal would be to better support the aviation sector and boost Europe’s wider economic recovery. The proposal by A4E supports the European Commission (EC) Council Recommendation and the initiative of the German EU Presidency calling for the creation of a European colour-coded map based on data provided by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
It also calls for the adoption of common criteria to evaluate the epidemiological risk of travelling to/from certain areas, such as the incidence rate (positive Covid-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). It asks for regional measures instead of national restrictions.
1. Clear exclusions from travel restrictions and quarantines
Quarantine restrictions should be an instrument of last resort. The duration of quarantine ought to be consistent across Europe. Clear exclusions from travel restrictions and quarantine measures for airline staff, crew, transit passengers and passengers with a specific low-risk type of journey are also recommended.
Airline staff, including crew, are trained to follow specific hygiene schemes and are under the close supervision of European airlines. Travellers who stay in a risk area for less than 72 hours and have minimal contact with the local population are at a lower risk of infection and should therefore also be excluded. Member States should be responsible for collecting traveller data and for enforcing the appropriate measures.
2. Improved Covid-19 testing and tracing measures
Improved Covid-19 testing and contact tracing should be used instead of quarantines, as testing enables targeted risk mitigation on an individual level. Member States should continue to invest in making quick and reliable COVID-19 tests available to passengers shortly before departure.
Although July saw a small increase in the number of flights and passenger traffic, these figures have stalled in August – with only 30% of travellers compared with last year.
3. Standardised Passenger Locator Forms and Health Declaration Cards
Member States should adopt the latest ICAO standard for passenger locator and health declaration forms. It should be the responsibility of national health authorities to check whether passengers have completed these forms, not airlines.
Member States should be careful when deciding whether to fine an airline if all the data has not been filled out by the passengers. In addition, Passenger Locator Forms and Health Declaration Cards should be made available in a digital format.
