Keep It Simple

If the United Kingdom wants to restore the health of its air transport sector, IATA says it needs to embrace a simpler COVID-19 testing regime that ensures affordable, competitive airport costs and working for net-zero air transport.

The airline industry association’s director general, Willie Walsh points out that: “In terms of day-to-day life, the UK is far more pragmatic in managing COVID-19 than many other states. But its approach to travel continues to focus on restrictions which cannot be justified based on risk.”

Walsh continued: “Over the period from February to August, the PCR test positivity rate of arriving passengers to the UK was 1%. And the positivity rate from testing the general population was 7%. So, we can confidently say that travel is not increasing the UK’s COVID-19 risk.”

And while he welcomed recent moves to cut the number of ‘red list’ countries and finally proposing an end to PCR tests for vaccinated passengers, IATA’s DG warned that problems remain, principally with the new post-arrival antigen test. The UK is relying on a closed shop of private testing providers, the effectiveness of which the Competition and Markets Authority has described as “a lottery”.  And prices remain high compared to convenient high-street options elsewhere in the world.

As well, COVID-19 document checks have been identified as a barrier to travel and the UK must lead with automated digital solutions to take the burden off airlines.

Said Walsh: “Manual paper checks by airlines are unsustainable as volumes come back. We need to automate the process … airlines are not your border guards.”

IATA notes as well that the slow UK recovery in air connectivity risks being derailed by the proposed charges increase at the UK’s primary air gateway, Heathrow airport.

Leaked papers reveal Heathrow airport’s owners are seeking 90% increases in charges, adding around GBP100 to the cost of an average family’s holiday.

Walsh said: “It’s time for Heathrow’s shareholders to step up. They have enjoyed steady returns for years. Instead of expecting the travelling public to be covering excessive returns, it’s time for them to invest. All eyes will be on the CAA to ensure they are doing their job in protecting the consumer by pushing back on the airport’s outrageous behaviour.”

During IATA’s recent AGM in Boston, member airlines agreed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The ambitious commitment brings the industry in line with the goal of the Paris climate agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°. Net-zero will be achieved through a combination of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), new technology, improved infrastructure and operations, and, where in-sector solutions are not possible, through the use of offsetting and carbon capture.

As Walsh sees it: “For aviation, net zero is a bold, audacious commitment. Achieving it needs all stakeholders — including governments — to play their part. Together we can make sustainable aviation a reality. In doing so, we will secure the freedom to fly for future generations.”

As for specific support from the UK government, airlines would like to see policies for greater investment in SAF through capital grants, production incentives, government-backed loans and ‘green bonds’.

IATA’s director general concludes: “An emphasis on incentives to establish a thriving UK SAF industry would show this off to the world as a global best practice that will help states avoid a patchwork of different regulations or market distortions. The goal should be energy self-sufficiency for sustainable connectivity. And that would come with the added benefit of creating thousands of well-paid jobs.”

Go to www.iata.org for more.