New Delhi, Jul 22 (Bureau) Most air-travellers are frustrated with uncertainty about travel rules, testing requirements, and excessive test costs, a survey by global airline body International Air Transport Association (IATA) has found. The survey participants stated that they struggle with the Covid-related rules and requirements and that this impacts their willingness to travel. As many as 70 per cent participants said that the rules and the accompanying paperwork were a challenge to understand, while 67 per cent saw arranging testing as a hassle.
The majority flyers (89per cent) agreed that governments must standardize vaccinations/testing certifications.
“These responses should be a wake-up call to governments that they need to do a better job of preparing for a restart. Almost two thirds of respondents plan to resume travel within a few months of the pandemic being contained (and borders opened),” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. Almost 9 out of 10 respondents like the idea of using a mobile app to store their travel health credentials and 87 per cent support a secure digital system to manage health credentials. However, 75 per cent said they will only use an app if they have full control of their vaccine/test data. “IATA Travel Pass enables travelers to receive, store and share their health information with governments and airlines but they always keep control of the information on their own mobile device.
Now is the time for governments to facilitate digital solutions like IATA Travel Pass to avoid chaos at airports as travel begins to return,” said Walsh. The survey conducted in June comprising 4,700 travelers in 11 markets around the world showed that most flyers are confident about the safety of air travel and support mask-wearing in the near-term. Among those who have traveled since June 2020, 86 per cent felt safe onboard owing to COVID-19 measures while 89 per cent believe protective measures are well implemented. The survey said that 90 per cent participants believe airline personnel do a good job of enforcing the measures.