Air Travel Set to Partially Resume As Europe Readies To Fly From Monday

The European Commission has called for the complete lifting on June 15 of remaining intra-EU travel restrictions (including quarantines). The move has been welcomed by the Europe chapter of the Airports Council International, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airlines for Europe (A4E), representing Europe’s airports and airlines.

The EC has also proposed an approach for starting to phase out restrictions for travel from and to other countries as of July 1.

The three aviation associations urged all EU and associated States to follow through on the Commission’s advice, pointing to the comprehensive aviation health and safety Protocol now in place – jointly developed by EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) and aligned with the global guidance of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

As the lifting of intra-European travel and border restrictions related to COVID-19 allows passenger traffic to resume, airports and airlines are implementing enhanced biosafety measures at every step of the passenger journey, making the airport and aircraft environments exceptionally sanitized and controlled public spaces.

The latter was today fully recognized by EASA – as the safety agency reiterated its support of the aviation industry’s restart. EASA especially emphasized the confidence that passengers can have in the health and safety measures in place throughout Europe.

““The aim was to allow travel and tourism to be relaunched safely in the summer months, as soon as governments and public health authorities open up their borders. We are confident that, providing individuals behave responsibly and abide by the measures being put in place by airports and airlines, passengers can return to the skies with confidence”, said EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE said: “The aviation industry has the safety of its passengers, staff and communities running through its DNA. As we all re-emerge from the peak of the pandemic, airports and airlines are right there at the forefront of ensuring that we can all kick-start our economies - and frankly our daily lives - with confidence and security. This is why it is essential that governments play ball and now fully lift the remaining restrictions to intra-Europe travel. They also need to follow the plan set out by the Commission to start lifting restrictions with the rest of the world.”

“Safety is the top priority. Health and industry experts have created the guidance needed for a safe re-start of aviation and preserve the livelihoods of 9.4 million jobs across the European Union. The Commission’s recommendation to open the Schengen borders is based on this guidance. States must now follow the Commission and fully restore the free movement of people within the EU as of next week. They also need to work hand-in-hand to start lifting travel restrictions with the wider world as per the risk-based and targeted approach set out by the Commission said Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Europe said: