The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) has called the latest quarantine measures imposed by the UK and Spain arduous and damaging to the recovery of air transport in Europe.
The ERA said that health remains the top priority for both industry and consumers; however, a more united and interconnected approach, without the need for restricted quarantine measures, would allow aviation, together with the tourism sectors, to restart.
Yesterday’s announcement by the Spanish Government, following the UK’s recent announcement, to impose a 14-day quarantine period for incoming travellers, will not aid the recovery process of aviation or help kick start Europe’s economy, said the ERA who instead claimed they will have a detrimental effect and lengthen the time it will take for the travel and tourism industry to resume operations and services to consumers.
The ERA said it is vital that the measures introduced by member states, stakeholders and the air transport industry are financially, operationally and logistically viable, as well as being practical in their execution.
Consumer confidence is vital to allow airlines to restart their operations and to receive future passenger bookings. Imposing complicated quarantine measures, which are unlikely to be controlled or enforced, provide no strategic benefit.
ERA director general Montserrat Barriga said: “A clear set of measures across the EU and third countries is needed urgently to allow aviation to recover. A strategic set of processes and protocols can be implemented to make this happen that would re-establish confidence in flying.
Quarantine measures will enforce a stalemate situation that benefits neither the passenger nor the airline. Collaboration is needed by all involved, otherwise the pathway to reconnect and reunite Europe will remain long, lengthy and economically devastating.”
Jonathan Hinkles, managing director of ERA member airline Loganair, adds: “Public health is of paramount importance. That said, there appears to be no logic in restricting international travel from areas where COVID-19 infection rates are low, yet that is exactly what is now being proposed.
These measures will do tremendous further damage to the regional aviation industry for no obvious benefit to public health, as well as holding back the recovery of essential industries unless they are exempted from these quarantine measures.”