Visiting Lecturer and aviation industry expert, Linus Bauer, believes that the introduction of an International Air Transport Association (IATA) travel pass will restore confidence to travellers.
By Mr John Stevenson (Senior Communications Officer), Published
Linus Bauer, a Visiting Lecturer in Air Transport Management at City, says the introduction of an International Air Transport Association (IATA) travel pass will restore confidence to travellers:
“Digital initiatives like the IATA Travel Pass will contribute enormously to the restoration of air travel confidence this summer.”
This comes against the background of the UK government confirming that international travellers will be asked to demonstrate their COVID-19 vaccination and testing status using the NHS smartphone app. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says work had started on developing the app many people used to book appointments with their GPs so that it could show whether they been vaccinated and tested for the virus.
Bauer, an aviation industry expert, says the complicated travel rules and complex requirements were ‘the real killer to aviation’ and air travel confidence over the past year, rather than the Coronavirus itself.
The lack of commitment to aviation across the globe by many governments across the world also played its part in destroying air travel confidence to the present time. They had about 14 months’ time to develop a global standard framework to restore air travel. The lack of smoothness and clarity in the air travel industry has caused people to refrain from travelling by plane during the pandemic.
The City alumnus says that for the upcoming busier air travel period this Summer, persons will look for a smoother travel experience - one of the key factors that influence purchasing decisions such as flight and hotel bookings.
Citing the example of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bauer says “the implementation of a full digital verification of COVID-19 testing and vaccination records for travelers for UAE-based travelers is another example why the UAE including its entire aviation value chain (e.g., airlines and airports) can be seen as one of the leading innovators for the aviation and tourism industry in a post- pandemic world.”