At this point, it’s no wonder the COVID-19 health crisis has hit every industry badly and changed the way people do – well, just about everything. While states have begun to ease restrictions and have begun a gradual reopening of their economies, many uncertainties remain on the path to a “new normal.”
The stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders do just that: they prevent people from engaging in other than essential activities. So how did these measures affect travel and, more specifically, the aviation industry? According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), demand for air travel in the US and Europe has fallen by more than 90 percent since the start of the pandemic.
GET ON BOARD THE NEW NORMAL
In an effort to restart the industry, IATA has published a proposal called “Biosecurity for Air Transport: A Roadmap to Restart Aviation”, which outlines temporary biosecurity measures for the aviation industry. Shortly thereafter, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) approved a set of global guidelines to restore air connectivity known as “Takeoff: A Guide for Air Travel Through the COVID-19.
ICAO’s COVID-19 Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) has worked with governments, health experts and industry stakeholders to develop “Takeoff”, which has also been approved by the World Council of Travel and Tourism (WTTC). In addition, “Takeoff” complements the “Safe Travels” protocols announced by WTTC. CART’s layered approach includes measures such as physical distancing, use of face masks / masks, routine sanitation and disinfection, health screenings, contact tracing, passenger health declaration forms and evidence, as long as testing in real time are available.
Some airlines experimented with leaving the middle seat in an open row in an effort to maintain social distance on board, but these attempts have failed in many cases, as airlines said they could not guarantee that passengers were seated next to a unoccupied seat due to weight and balance restrictions. And while this measure could provide travelers with peace of mind, some experts have found the proposal counterintuitive, as it would significantly limit an aircraft’s load factor, reducing it to 66 percent. According to IATA, there is no need to block the middle seat because air filters ensure safe ventilation, sitting behind the seat backs instead of looking at other passengers reduces the spread of drops and the use of masks on board further reduces pollution.
As airlines strive to return to normal, as COVID-19 allows it, the more important question is: How do travelers feel about possible restrictions? Will people be willing to comply if certain measures are applied? So far, when taking a look at social media posts in general, it appears that many people are eager to queue to board, however that experience may unfold after the pandemic.
