The International Air Transport Association has stated that COVID-19 is not a threat to aircraft cabins. However, Omicron virus variants are more transmissible than others.
David Powell, IATA’s Medical Advisor, stated that there are many factors that make aircraft cabins low-infection facilities. These include design characteristics like the direction of the airflow, rate and filtration of the air, forward orientation of passengers while they are seated, masking requirements and other sanitary measures.
SchengenVisaInfo.com reports, he also pointed out that the cabin’s controlled nature is superior to other indoor environments.
Omicron has not been recommended by public health authorities for enclosed environments. However, IATA’s advice to travellers, including properly wearing masks, is still valid and important.
>> IATA: Travel restrictions are a threat to industry recovery
IATA, which represents approximately 290 airlines and 83% of global air traffic, has called on governments to repeal travel bans imposed by Omicron virus variant.
A World Health Organization (WHO) statement released weeks ago states that travel bans placed on countries can have an adverse impact on travellers and their livelihoods, particularly in countries that report positive cases. This can discourage them sharing this information.
IATA based its statement on this statement called for governments to repeal travel bans and allow travel to occur at the highest possible levels.
We know a lot about Coronavirus and the inability to restrict its spread through travel restrictions. It has been nearly two years since the outbreak. The Omicron variant was discovered instantly. This caused instant amnesia in governments that implemented knee-jerk restrictions, in total contravention to the WHO’s advice. IATAs Director-General, Willie Walsh, noted.
ACI, the Airports Council International (ACI), recently reported that passenger traffic has declined by 20% since Omicron positive cases were first reported. This means that the month’s overall performance was affected by the EU airports performance in the last seven day. The result was that passenger traffic in the EU decreased by 1.5% compared with the previous month. This is 32.5 percent less than the pre-pandemic levels.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, data from December 16-19 revealed that Denmark had 762 Omicron cases. France (347), Germany (249), and Estonia (242) were next.
On the other end of this scale, Luxembourg has one positive case, Omicron and Lichtenstein each have two, Cyprus and Slovakia each have three positive cases.
